student house issues - landlord

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,426
Location
Derbyshire
I was in a student house last year and one of the lads was very very dirty and lazy. He was last to leave the house and so we left him just the kitchen to finish sorting before we left.

Landlord rings saying kitchen needs cleaning, does I want him to send us 200quid each (out of the 250 each) deposit and then sort the rest out later. I say I will call him back later that day as I will speak to the lazy lad as it was his fault.

1hour later I ring the landlord back and leave a voicemail and say the lad agrees to take the cleaning fee from his deposit.

That was 5 weeks ago, I have left MANY voicemails on his house and mobile. Neither me nor the two other lads have received any money back. I have not been rude or agressive on the voicemails.

So that is the story. We did not wreck the house or anything, the landlord has made no effort at all to contact us.
Where do I stand?? Surely he is effectively stealing?? His house is close enough to visit to my home, would that be legal going to visit him??

Thanks for any advice:)
 
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It seems you've tried the methods you know how so far, i'd leave a voicemail along the lines of:

"Have been trying to contact you but it seems you might not be receiving these messages. I live close enough to you so i'm going to pop around at some point, if you get this message could you let me know a convenient time for you? Would save me popping round when you are busy or out"
 
That's the trouble with deposits, landlords in my experience talk all sorts of rubbish to keep as much money as possible lol.

Costs are rising all the time, especially now, they're going to be pulling out all the stops if you know what I mean.

Good luck with getting your money back.

Odd question - but there's no way that the messy guy could have left £700 worth of erm, mess?
 
Dracata said:
It seems you've tried the methods you know how so far
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Yea, dont want to do anything that could land me in any crap, but he isnt nabbing our deposit no way. I may have to go round yea, but would be 10-11pm one weekday eve so hes very likely to be home.

Greenlizard0 said:
Odd question - but there's no way that the messy guy could have left £700 worth of erm, mess?
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the landlord did not know who made the mess, and he said shall i send you 200 each back today and we sort the rest later. I said no it was one of the lads fault I will speak to him and get back to you, which I did the same day (5weeks ago:()
 
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Don't leave any more voice mail ****; send a letter(registered) stating that if he does not refund as agreed within 14 days, you will use the small claims court.

On a side note, go and see your idle friend and get the cash from him, punch him where his ovaries would be, if he were female and learn from your experience.
 
He got in contact with me, said he had been on holiday for 2 weeks........I left the house almost 6 weeks ago (what a ****). Anyway he is now saying we broke the bathtub (we didnt and we were not heavy drinkers either). He had an inspection 5 weeks ago and now he it just sounds like he is taking the pee and adding things on. What can I do???
I know nothing on a bust bathtub and iirc I was the last to use the shower in it before we left.....wouldnt a bath shatter?? He says something heavy has been dropped in it. But then it would leak majorly?? Im stuck for ideas in what to do now!
 
I presume you had AST contracts? wasn't the deposit in the government deposit scheme?

just send him a letter saying the house was in good repair. he hasn't provided any details of damage etc for 6 weeks, he has shown NO RECEIPTS for work carried out, therefor return the full balance within 14 days.

Then start small claims proceedings.
 
mglover070588 said:
He got in contact with me, said he had been on holiday for 2 weeks........I left the house almost 6 weeks ago (what a ****). Anyway he is now saying we broke the bathtub (we didnt and we were not heavy drinkers either). He had an inspection 5 weeks ago and now he it just sounds like he is taking the pee and adding things on. What can I do???
I know nothing on a bust bathtub and iirc I was the last to use the shower in it before we left.....wouldnt a bath shatter?? He says something heavy has been dropped in it. But then it would leak majorly?? Im stuck for ideas in what to do now!
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Ask to see a complete and detailed list of the damage. Tell him you'll also want to inspect the property to verify this damage, otherwise you'll take him to small claims court.
 
Similar to what Amleto said, if he hasnt given you the money back he has effectively claimed damages, and would need to show proof ie quotes / recipts. You can make a claim against him.
 
The only effective method I've found for dealing with landlords and getting my deposit back is I now never pay the last months rent. When the landlord then kicks up a fuss I just tell him to bill me for any problems with the house and if I don't accept it I'm not paying.

As most of you know it's a nightmare chasing these guys, so I let them chase me and I do pay any fair charges but you know what they're all like. Thieving scum.
 
The rent was paid in quarters. He was a useless tit all year - took 5 weeks to get me a new bed (which was falling apart when I arrived), took 4 weeks to fix a window that came open becuase the clasp was broken. The house is generally in bad repair, and the bathtub was old and crappy too.
My housemate said leave it to him and he will tell the landlord he is taking the **** as he did an inspection 4weeks ago and now he is just adding things on to take our money.
 
Murf said:
The only effective method I've found for dealing with landlords and getting my deposit back is I now never pay the last months rent. When the landlord then kicks up a fuss I just tell him to bill me for any problems with the house and if I don't accept it I'm not paying.

As most of you know it's a nightmare chasing these guys, so I let them chase me and I do pay any fair charges but you know what they're all like. Thieving scum.
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same - anyone with experience and half a brain knows not to pay the last month.
 
codec said:
same - anyone with experience and half a brain knows not to pay the last month.
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we paid in quarters though.
he is just taking the pee now, should I send him a letter saying you did an inspection said a bit of cleaning needed to be done (I am fine with this), then 4 weeks later ring me and add a new bath on. Say I will seek legal advice?
 
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