landlords and deposit

MrMatteh · 21 Aug 2006 at 13:11

I was in a student house last year and have just got my deposit back from the landlord.

He took £56 of each of us (4 people) and I called him to see what it was for.

We left the house in a better condition than when we arrived. it was very clean and we didnt break anything either.

He said the £224 was for returning the house to its original state. I asked what needed to be done. All he could say was that the house needed to be vacuumed (lies) and that a bag of rubbish was left in the bin in the kitchen!

I asked if I could have a list of all the things that needed to be done with an approx cost, for my records. he straight out refused, stating that he had 'already wasted enough time/money/effort' on us and that was that!

Now, are landlords allowed to just take money out of the deposit without a reason? am I being unreasonable asking for a breakdown of costs? after all, its his duty as a landlord to deal with these matters and I would like to know what it is I have been billed for!

Or can landlords just take money out of the deposits as they please?

Raymond Lin · 21 Aug 2006 at 13:14

Go by your contract, what does it say in regards to deposit?

grahamjenks · 21 Aug 2006 at 13:16

I think they have to provide a receipt for anything they've charged for. So you should demand that. But other than that its probably your word against his in terms of why he's deemed it necessary to have the place cleaned further.

If your students union has a housing service - particular one that issues landlords with approved certificates - contact them - you may be able to have them not renew or certificate - or never issue one, and potentially they'll offer further advise if required.

DB_SamX · 21 Aug 2006 at 13:19

It is not unreasonable to ask for repair / cleaning receipts. If he doesn't show them, you might have a case. Contact you Students' Union. Ours in Soton is very good with that. Also, general advice: stay on good terms with landlords. We did, and got all our deposit back, despite knowing of a few things we broke that we couldn't fix.

Raymond Lin · 21 Aug 2006 at 13:20

Only twice i have lost the deposit.

Once was because i set fire to the kitchen and burn down the extractor fan, melted the blinds and charcoaled the kitchen.

Fair enough

Second time I left in such a hurry I didn't have time to clean so he charged me £25, fair enough, i really hadn't cleaned the house.

Visage · 21 Aug 2006 at 13:23

MrMatteh said:
I was in a student house last year and have just got my deposit back from the landlord.

He took £56 of each of us (4 people) and I called him to see what it was for.

We left the house in a better condition than when we arrived. it was very clean and we didnt break anything either.

He said the £224 was for returning the house to its original state. I asked what needed to be done. All he could say was that the house needed to be vacuumed (lies) and that a bag of rubbish was left in the bin in the kitchen!

I asked if I could have a list of all the things that needed to be done with an approx cost, for my records. he straight out refused, stating that he had 'already wasted enough time/money/effort' on us and that was that!

Now, are landlords allowed to just take money out of the deposit without a reason? am I being unreasonable asking for a breakdown of costs? after all, its his duty as a landlord to deal with these matters and I would like to know what it is I have been billed for!

Or can landlords just take money out of the deposits as they please?

You should ask some people on an internet forum, because barrack-room lawyers always give 100% accurate advice.

Alternatively, go and see your local CAB.

MrMatteh · 21 Aug 2006 at 13:49

Visage said:
You should ask some people on an internet forum, because barrack-room lawyers always give 100% accurate advice.

Alternatively, go and see your local CAB.

or maybe someone here is a landlord or someone has experienced this? christ, don't like it don't read it!

My housemate rung him as well. he also had to move a few coppers in a stack from a desk. hardly the end of the world.

Think I'm going to give the SU a call, see what they have to say. Iwould just like a breakdown of the costs, and I don't feel this is unreasonable!

Efour · 21 Aug 2006 at 13:51

THis has been talked about a lot recently what with it being the end of Term/uni year.

We got stung for a few 100 quid for "cleaning" which was absloute rubbish, as we left the place cleaner than when we 1st moved in. we also got stung for damage on the inventory whch was from the previous year AND all ready noted as repaired.

THey can really do (try to get away with) what they want it seems but for professional advice speak to the CAB.

We decided that none of us could be bothred with the hastle, i suspect most people cant.

In their defence, the stupid costs can be accounted for by professional cleaners and decorators to come in and "do" the work. How ever I find this pretty insulting.

In our second rental we cancaleed the agreement at 11 months asked for the last months rent to come from the deposit only leaving them a few quid to sting us for and making sure they brought us recipts and bills for work that needed to be done, SUPRISE SUPRISE it was a pittance 2nd time round.

If anyone rents 66 HURST STREET, just off the Cowley Road Oxford, Please tell me if those 6 bluetak marks (£10 each to make good) are still on the lounge wall.

fatiain · 21 Aug 2006 at 14:30

Efour2 said:
If anyone rents 66 HURST STREET, just off the Cowley Road Oxford, Please tell me if those 6 bluetak marks (£10 each to make good) are still on the lounge wall.

I'll knock on the door on my way home and check

Visage · 21 Aug 2006 at 14:35

Efour2 said:
If anyone rents 66 HURST STREET, just off the Cowley Road Oxford, Please tell me if those 6 bluetak marks (£10 each to make good) are still on the lounge wall.

Crikey...i used to live just around the corner from there in Bullingdon Road.....

D.P. · 21 Aug 2006 at 15:19

My mum is a landlady.
You should check closely the tenency agreement and then ask for reciepts in an official letter. If he is charging you for anything that wasn't borken or wasn't there to begin with then you will have some hope. If it is just a cleaning fund then it'll be very difficult.

The problem is, it is such a small amount it is hardf to do anything through lawers etc. Containg your studion union is the only way to get something done.