Are we being robbed of our deposit? Help!

Go to the DPS.

Always take photos before you move in and after.

Reasonable wear and tear is acceptable in a rental, don't get mugged off by dodgy landlords.
 
Something that I have been thinking of... If it was replaced due to general wear and tear as opposed to negligence then would the tenants be required to pay the full amount? I'm sure they can't ask for the full amount but say a percentage based on the life expectancy of the new/old product?

Or am I just BS myself?
 
I wouldn't expect so:

The landlord should not end up, either financially or materially, in a better position than he was at commencement of the tenancy, or than he would have been at the end of the tenancy having allowed for fair wear and tear.
To avoid betterment, the allocation or apportionment of any costs, charges or compensation for damage must take into account all the factors relating to
(a) fair wear and tear,
(b) the most appropriate remedy and,
(c) that the landlord should not end up either financially or materially in a better position than he was at commencement of the tenancy or as he would expect to be at the end of the tenancy having considered (a) and exercised (b).
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I think to fully prove your case you'll need pictures before and after (when you moved in/out)... HOWEVER... if you go through the DPS dispute service, the onus is on the landlord/agent to prove that aspects of the rented property were in a worse condition upon you leaving. Well that was what I was told in my dispute, however you can still submit your argument and evidence as what they send the DPS might be from a totally different flat!!!! (and you can't see their evidence either which is annoying)
 
MooMoo444 said:
emails are legally binding
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No they aren't, that's why we still use fax machines.
Digital fax can be legally binding though.

OP, this is common, landlord/ agency trying to get you to foot the bill for maintenance, some people seem to earmark the deposit as their money before you even move in. Don't give them an inch, fight it every step.
 
Did they do an inventory when you moved in?
It's for the landlord to prove that any damage wasn't always like that, not for you to prove. Start a dispute wit the DPS because they'll likely find in your favour if they have no evidence. Stick to your guns, don't offer to pay for anything unless you know you broke it. Remember terms like "must be professionally cleaned" actually mean nothing and your "amateur" cleaning is just fine if you bring it to the State you received it in.
 
Cuchulain said:
Yes they are, our company has used emails as legally binding evidence in a number of small claims cases where customers have refused to cough up.
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Email isn't secure, it can be intercepted and edited, it isn't usually encrypted.

Email is only legally binding in the way a verbal agreement is legally binding, it's not concrete.
 
I really hope the new DPS laws start to put an end to this scam. Can't believe that landlords / letting agents have been allowed to get away with this for so long.
 
£50 for oven and hob clean? .. my missus does it for free!!

Also £70 for the shower silicone sounds very steep. Not to mention that should come under general wear and tear!

I'd say the whole thing is made up. Either that or I'm in the wrong profession.

Can't find a Rich Developments in Coventry either. and that address is just somebody's bungalow....
 
Link is broken :(

EDIT: working now.. lol

But links to Bilston based company. which is quite a long way away from Coventry.

still smells dodgy to me!
 
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Monkeh said:
That invoice looks legit. Try contacting them direct and see what they say?
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Session timed out.

pitchfork said:
Email isn't secure, it can be intercepted and edited, it isn't usually encrypted.

Email is only legally binding in the way a verbal agreement is legally binding, it's not concrete.
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So completely legally binding then? ;)

A verbal contract is as legally binding as a written one - it's just a lot harder to prove.
 
Indie said:
£50 for oven and hob clean? .. my missus does it for free!!

Also £70 for the shower silicone sounds very steep. Not to mention that should come under general wear and tear!

I'd say the whole thing is made up. Either that or I'm in the wrong profession.

Can't find a Rich Developments in Coventry either. and that address is just somebody's bungalow....
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Oven and hob clean £50 is a joke tbh
As for £70 for silicone!?!? yup because thats not general wear and tear lol
Looks like standard LA/LL scum approach to me
 
£50 is very standard its far from a joke, its market rate, google professional oven cleaning.
You have to count in several hours pay for the cleaner to get to the house and home again.
You should have ensured it was to standard, before moving out. Anything will cost a lot as you are paying someone not just for their time but also their time getting to you and back.

If you cant be bothered cleaning yourself, they are always offers on groupon, brining an oven clean down to the £20 range. But to late for that.

Silicon is a joke, as long as it wasn't easily noticeable and/or you didn't report it.
 
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