Return of Rental Deposits

Soldato
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My ex-housemates and I are still waiting to recieve our deposits back, after moving out 4 weeks ago (this was also when the letting agents did the final inspection). It was agreed that they would get some people in to clean the property and that this would cost us a maximum of £50 each. I was just wondering if there was a maximum time that the letting agents are allowed to withold our deposits. I've phoned them a few times but they aren't helpful at all and tell me every time that the person I need to speak to isn't in and doesn't have a mobile number, they then tell me that he will phone me back when he's in - which he has never done. Unfortunately I can't go in to speak to them in person either as it's too far away. If anyone's got any advice on getting my deposit back I'd be very grateful.

Thanks.
 
There is no maximum they can withold.

But they have to give you exact details of why they have witheld the amount. And I presume you can also ask them for invoices.

When I was in a similar situation we were sent the total and the individual costs were shown. For eg, cleaning, wallpaper, etc were separately listed.

They also said we could have copies of the invoices if we REALLY wanted them.
 
It's normally written into the contract the time frame in which they will return deposits. Normally within 4 weeks unless their is a dispute over something.

I'd check your contract and if they are over the time frame, threaten them with legal action. Normally sorts them out quickly, i did this and had the money transfered to my account within 1 hour of hanging up. :D
 
I assume (sorry if I'm wrong) that your a student if so give the letting agent a call and mention that you will be taking this up with the Universities housing officer and the CAB normally enough to get them moving. It's ok if they want to keep money for damage and cleaning etc but it is not on for them to keep you hanging for money that is essentially yours.
 
It is very common for landlords to hold deposits, sadly this happens even when a house has been looked after.

There is a loop hole in the law though :D
 
a1ex2001 said:
I assume (sorry if I'm wrong) that your a student if so give the letting agent a call and mention that you will be taking this up with the Universities housing officer and the CAB normally enough to get them moving. It's ok if they want to keep money for damage and cleaning etc but it is not on for them to keep you hanging for money that is essentially yours.
Thanks for that, I've just graduated and it was a student let. I'll give it a go tomorrow if they don't appear to be making any progress. The guy said they would get the cleaning done ASAP and he agreed that none of the damage was caused by me. I'll be asking for an itemisation of the deductions too, just to make sure this hasn't happened.

Thanks a lot for the replies.
 
Unfortunatly this won't apply to you, but there has been new legislation that has been introduced to protect tenants deposits for people that signed an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement after 6th April 2007

See here

When must deposits be paid back?

"When the landlord and tenant agree how the deposit should be returned, in full or in part, it must be paid back within 10 days.

In the custodial scheme: within ten days of the scheme being notified of agreement between the landlord and tenant or notified of an ADR/court decision.

In the insurance-based scheme: within ten days of the tenant requesting that the landlord return his deposit

In case of a dispute: within ten days of the scheme being notified of the ADR service's, or court's, decision."
 
Brum Man said:
Unfortunatly this won't apply to you, but there has been new legislation that has been introduced to protect tenants deposits for people that signed an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement after 6th April 2007

See here

When must deposits be paid back?

"When the landlord and tenant agree how the deposit should be returned, in full or in part, it must be paid back within 10 days.

In the custodial scheme: within ten days of the scheme being notified of agreement between the landlord and tenant or notified of an ADR/court decision.

In the insurance-based scheme: within ten days of the tenant requesting that the landlord return his deposit

In case of a dispute: within ten days of the scheme being notified of the ADR service's, or court's, decision."
Ive had none of the information off my landlord that the link says I should have suppose I better get in touch with him and see what he has to say, £3,000 is going to be a big hole in his pocket if hes not bothered to put any of our deposits into the scheme
 
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