Are we being robbed of our deposit? Help!

Psy-Blade

Psy-Blade

Psy-Blade

Associate
Joined
11 Jun 2009
Posts
443
Hi OCUK!

Firstly, I want to say thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and respond to this, I've always found ocuk to be helpful, you guys are ace!

So, we moved out of a houseshare just over a month ago, with no concerns about our deposit as the house was left in good condition. Consequently we received an email asking for £560!!? For an example, one of the quotes was for resurfacing the kitchen surfaces with the following as evidence for it:

http://imgur.com/U2437cq

There was little evidence to back up some of the claims; and none to back up the more expensive ones. We agreed to pay the ones we felt we were responsible for (mirror, shower clean, disposal of shelf and oven clean).

The agency has since come back with multiple offers, none of which we agreed to, and dodged around us asking for official quotes or invoices. Just today we had an email containing a somewhat dodgy quote (no quote number, VAT registration number etc?) , another offer and telling us that the landlord undertook the work themselves so there are no invoices!!!

So we're stuck at a dead end, with a dodgy quote, no invoices and with them demanding more than we're agreeing to pay. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated!

Just want to add that new tenants have been moved in, and there's been nothing to verify that work was actually carried out either.

Edit: few people asking if the deposit is protected, it is in a government scheme thankfully.

Thanks OCUK!
 
Last edited:
That quote looks like it's been done in MS Paint, stick to your guns and take a not of all correspondence, insist that it's not done verbally but via e-mail and letter so you have a trail of it all.
 
I'm sure they have to contact you within 14 days (or similar) with any deductions if there are to be any deductions from the deposit... as you have had this (this being you getting the deposit back), they can chuff off...
 
Was the deposit not in one of those special accounts designed to protect both parties in case of disputes? :)
 
Sorry, should have added, the deposit is in the DPS service thankfully!

Just not sure where we can go from here to get help without hiring (legal). :/
 
Hi guys! I'm one of the other house mates! The deposit is protected by the DPS, we are hoping to avoid going to them just because of how much effort typing up a report for them will be...

however if it can save us over half of our deposit then we are willing. Just not happy with the fact the quote has been made, the work has been done, and now there is no way to get a second quote.


Thank you for your replies :)
 
Psy-Blade said:
Sorry, should have added, the deposit is in the DPS service thankfully!

Just not sure where we can go from here to get help without hiring (legal). :/
Click to expand...

Ah... so you don't have the deposit back...

I've had problems with my last landlord... Go through the dispute resolution service with the DPS (that is what it is there for). They should side with you if what you are telling is correct.
 
Halfmad said:
That quote looks like it's been done in MS Paint, stick to your guns and take a not of all correspondence, insist that it's not done verbally but via e-mail and letter so you have a trail of it all.
Click to expand...

Sod emails, state you want it all in paper, signed off by the landlord and agent.

E: seen post above
 
Psy-Blade said:
Sorry, should have added, the deposit is in the DPS service thankfully!

Just not sure where we can go from here to get help without hiring (legal). :/
Click to expand...

Contact the dps company (you should have their details with your letting agreement) for advice if they are following the correct procedure.
 
You should not be being billed for re-siliconing a shower. That's something a landlord should be doing when necessary at their own expense.

Not all contractors are VAT registered though this does look like a back of the envelope job.
 
If you can afford it then just keep rejecting their crap offers, the DPS can't release it till you both agree and they'll probably get bored spending time and money chasing you.
 
tom_e said:
If you can afford it then just keep rejecting their crap offers, the DPS can't release it till you both agree and they'll probably get bored spending time and money chasing you.
Click to expand...

This is the annoying thing as technically the landlord and agent can hold the deposit ransom! You've shown by agreeing certain amounts that you are being fair... Just try the dispute service if you can.



P.s. check your contract... it might say timescales they have to contact you with regards to disputes etc...
 
sbi5ar said:
This is the annoying thing as technically the landlord and agent can hold the deposit ransom! You've shown by agreeing certain amounts that you are being fair... Just try the dispute service if you can.



P.s. check your contract... it might say timescales they have to contact you with regards to disputes etc...
Click to expand...

Normally the dps say 14 days
 
You want proof that the work has been carried out.
No proper receipts and new tenants already in?
I'd contact the DPS your deposit is with and advise them you want to
contest the "made up" charges.

I'd also refuse all communication via phone and deal via email or letter only with the letting agents also
TBH I'd also retract offering to pay for tuff if theyre being arsey and they don't have it in writing.
LA and LL's can be utter scum at times.
 
Contact dps, and dispute it, let them adjudicate. They'll have a field day with no official receipts.

In the future, never hand keys back until hey've inspected the property, with you present, you both agree and signed a statement, it means moving out a day or two early, but they know not to mess with you. Same taking photos etc at start. It lets them know not to try it on.
 
Work through the DPS.

To be honest, if there isn't a pretty detailed inventory that was agreed when you moved in, the DPS will almost certainly back your claim unless the landlord can clearly prove their claim.

Once more - Work through the DPS.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom