Time take to release deposit at end tenancy

[iloverhubarbcrumble]

Does anyone know whether there is a legal maximum time for letting agents to release our deposit, held in a protected tenants scheme? Our tenancy ended 18 May, so it's been 15 days so far without our £2K coming back to us.

We are confident we'll get it back eventually, minus £100 which we will agree to (fair). But they are really dragging their feet about the rest and it's annoying me - alot.... Thanks for any advice. I'd like to know what I'm talking about when I ring AGAIN to harass them.

[azazello]

Do you know which deposit protection service it is registered with? The DPS says it will be returned within 10 days of receipt of the properly completed forms so 15 days probably isn't too unreasonable.

[silverfrog]

God, us too. Our tenancy ended in April, and still no deposit back.

Worse still, we also do t know what the agency are planning to subtract for repairs. We have hand the checkout inventory, and a list of works (some of which we dispute), but nothing else.

Any ideas?

[iloverhubarbcrumble]

That's useful azazello - DPS is 'Tenancy Deposits Ltd'. Check out report rec/d by agents after 3 days, but only signed off by landlord after a further week. So 10 further days - probably working days - takes us to Friday next week. I will grit my teeth.

Silverfrog - this sounds dreadful! Is your deposit in a protected scheme? I think you need to respond in writing to the agency's list of works: ask for itemisation of costs when you agree, dispute in writing things you don't agree with, and give a date by when you require a response. I would definitely get your deposit protection service involved now anyway, even if just for advice. No prob re hijacking. Good luck.

[Chatelaine]

Which ever Deposit Protection scheme you are registered with, you should have been given the document by the letting agent. It has on it a unique number. To raise a dispute, go to the scheme's website and enter the number. It will navigate you through the process. Do not be afraid of raising a dispute, it is your right and what the TDPS exists for. There are fields for everything, so have to hand all documentation. You will need to post these after, so take photocopies. You will be invited to state why you think the withholding of the deposit (or part of it) is unreasonable. They know what tricks landlords commonly try and are very experienced. Remember the service is free. They will write to you and you can check progress by logging in. We have been through this process with our son, after he left a shared property, left in a better state then when they found it and the landlord thought he could get away with it because they were young. He was wrong. You will be listened to!