Getting my deposit back!

One More Solo · 10 Aug 2011 at 15:21

We moved out of our old place on the 24th July and handed the keys back to the guy who completed the check-out inventory. Since then, we've had no contact whatsoever from the managing agent until I called on Monday to find out what was going on. She said there were no major issues although the check-out highlighted a couple of things that required additional cleaning (extremely picky bits they were too). I asked how much they were planning to charge for this and she suggested between £100 and £150 to clean the flat - I said we would not pay this as the bulk of the flat was spotless and we would only pay to clean the minor bits highlighted by the check-out. Seems reasonable?

She promised to email me back on Monday with a breakdown of costs, however fast forward to today and still no communication from her despite two further emails from myself requesting an update (emails rather than calls so there is a paper trail).

I have just looked at our tenancy agreement which states notification of deductions must be made within 10 working days - as no notification has been received and this period has expired, is it reasonable to now expect our full deposit back?

Thought I would get your thoughts before I pick up the phone.

ChrisD. · 10 Aug 2011 at 15:22

This is why I always deal direct with landlords, estate agents are greedy @^$*£*£ who overcharge for everything.

tom_e · 10 Aug 2011 at 15:25

I'd say it's pretty cut and dry if that's in your contract, give them a call and point it out.

stuman · 10 Aug 2011 at 15:32

this is what i have found time after time.

if you want to keep your money you have to take it to court in the end.

they have you over a barrel. pay them their money and next time go with a private landlord.

00bob00 · 10 Aug 2011 at 16:15

stuman said:
this is what i have found time after time.

if you want to keep your money you have to take it to court in the end.

they have you over a barrel. pay them their money and next time go with a private landlord.

hardly... that's why we have deposit schemes no?

One More Solo · 10 Aug 2011 at 16:17

00bob00 said:
hardly... that's why we have deposit schemes no?

Exactly. Our managing agency has actually been generally good, however their latest property manager came in a few months back and has been useless. I think a large part of that is due to them being understaffed though which definitely doesn't help.

Rainmaker · 10 Aug 2011 at 16:28

One More Solo said:
I have just looked at our tenancy agreement which states notification of deductions must be made within 10 working days - as no notification has been received and this period has expired, is it reasonable to now expect our full deposit back?

Within 10 working days... of what? Is that all it says? Many LL/agency contracts are full of silly unenforceable clauses. Highlight this clause, point out that the allotted time has expired, and ask for your full deposit back within 7 days.

Send it in writing by recorded delivery, don't just phone as you'll go around in circles and have no proof of contact. Better yet, take some legal advice (eg CAB, or a free initial consult from a local firm). Good luck.

One More Solo · 10 Aug 2011 at 16:59

Rainmaker said:
Within 10 working days... of what? Is that all it says? Many LL/agency contracts are full of silly unenforceable clauses. Highlight this clause, point out that the allotted time has expired, and ask for your full deposit back within 7 days.

Send it in writing by recorded delivery, don't just phone as you'll go around in circles and have no proof of contact. Better yet, take some legal advice (eg CAB, or a free initial consult from a local firm). Good luck.

Sorry should have said, within 10 working days of returning the keys. They want to take £180 for cleaning a one bedroom flat, jokers! I have asked them to provide details of exactly what issues she has found between the check-in and check-out inventories, as the check-in recorded that the place had not yet been cleaned although a cleaner was apparently going to clean it that day.

The inventory clerk mentioned a couple of things we missed that would literally take 10 minutes to clean. I'm happy to make a very small contribution to cover these costs as a gesture of good will if nothing else, but not to clean the entire flat. If they don't accept that then it's going to TDS with full emphasis on the 10 day clause to get the whole deposit returned.