28 days for deposit to be returned?

tbs624

So, all your TA does is re-iterate what the general standard is, ie that you must return a property in the state in no worse condition that it was at the start of the tenancy - the fact that your TA makes no mention of FW&T is irrelevant - the phrase “FW&T excepted” is always applicable.

If you want to write to them I wouldn’t mention the photos at this stage, maybe just say that you confirm that you will be returning the property in the same condition as it was at the start of the tenancy, fair wear and tear excepted.

On the energy supplier issue, a LL/LA cannot insist that you keep to the same utility supplier ( would be classed as an unfair contract term) , although they can ask that you make arrangements for it to be returned to their preferred supplier at the end of the tenancy. The LA/LL ask to be notified of any change so that they simply know who the supplier is. Given that you didn’t notify them on this, it's maybe best not to tell them to do their own meter readings - just include a paragraph that says something like “please note that due to rising costs I switched the utility suppliers from x co to y co, and the final meter readings are xxxxx and xxxxx.. I confirm that my utility bills will be paid up to date at the end of my tenancy.”

You could mention that although you know that the date of your tenancy meant that the deposit did not need to be scheme registered, you would welcome the return of your deposit within the standard 10 - 14 days.

If you want to speed things up, you could maybe arrange for someone from the LAs to come out a few days before so you can go through the inventory with them.

Keep to the view that there won’t be any major issues, until proved otherwise: just smile & be assertive with the LAs, but don’t get into any arguments in person. As a safeguard, however, do take photos of everything when you go as others have mentioned , including the numbers on the meters (yes, really!) and keep any dispute that arises totally in writing so that you have a paper trail if needed. If they ring you, you write confirming your understanding of what was said and keep copies. Good luck in your new home.

scorpio_princess

tbs624 wrote: »

So, all your TA does is re-iterate what the general standard is, ie that you must return a property in the state in no worse condition that it was at the start of the tenancy - the fact that your TA makes no mention of FW&T is irrelevant - the phrase “FW&T excepted” is always applicable.

If you want to write to them I wouldn’t mention the photos at this stage, maybe just say that you confirm that you will be returning the property in the same condition as it was at the start of the tenancy, fair wear and tear excepted.

On the energy supplier issue, a LL/LA cannot insist that you keep to the same utility supplier ( would be classed as an unfair contract term) , although they can ask that you make arrangements for it to be returned to their preferred supplier at the end of the tenancy. The LA/LL ask to be notified of any change so that they simply know who the supplier is. Given that you didn’t notify them on this, it's maybe best not to tell them to do their own meter readings - just include a paragraph that says something like “please note that due to rising costs I switched the utility suppliers from x co to y co, and the final meter readings are xxxxx and xxxxx.. I confirm that my utility bills will be paid up to date at the end of my tenancy.”

You could mention that although you know that the date of your tenancy meant that the deposit did not need to be scheme registered, you would welcome the return of your deposit within the standard 10 - 14 days.

If you want to speed things up, you could maybe arrange for someone from the LAs to come out a few days before so you can go through the inventory with them.

Keep to the view that there won’t be any major issues, until proved otherwise: just smile & be assertive with the LAs, but don’t get into any arguments in person. As a safeguard, however, do take photos of everything when you go as others have mentioned , including the numbers on the meters (yes, really!) and keep any dispute that arises totally in writing so that you have a paper trail if needed. If they ring you, you write confirming your understanding of what was said and keep copies. Good luck in your new home.

Thanks for this, seems like good advice to me! I'm glad you mentioned taking pics of the meters - I didn't think of that! I'm just going to do the best that I can. At the end of the day, if they've got their eyes on my deposit they're going to try to take it anyway, regardless of what I say or do. So i'll just try to stay whiter than white, play by the rules and see what happens. Thanks everyone!

MissMoneypenny

When my student son received a letter from the LL about cleaning the property to a high level before they left, I wrote back and reminded them that they should not expect the house to be given back in a cleaner state than the students had received it. I added that they would not be getting their house back in "the filthy, stinking, disgusting condition that they had given it to the students in, as the students did not live like that". The LA had advised me to write this letter.

I arranged for both the LL and LA to be there as the last student moved out, to carry out the final inspection of the property. My son got his full deposit back.

clutton_2

good on ya MissMP !!!

poppysarah

scorpio_princess wrote: »

I'm glad you mentioned taking pics of the meters -

We do this all the time. It's easier to poke a camera through than clear all the clutter from under the stairs.