Laws on time taken to get deposit back after leaving rental property?

[Roxette]

I've tried a google search and can't find the answer.

I moved out of my rental property at the start of August. I had an email from the agency telling me that they were getting people in to quote for works that needed doing, and they would be in contact to let me know the amount of deposit I would get back, but I've heard nothing, and they didn't answer my email asking what the damage was or the proposed work.

What rights do I have here?

They have £2000 of my money, and I'd quite like it back!

Have you contacted whatever deposit scheme they had the money in and requested it is returned?

What work do you think needs doing? I thought it was return within 30 days when I googled it for DD if it’s in a scheme, which it should be.

Echoing previous posters, if it’s not in a scheme they face hefty fines if you took them to court so I would put the question in writing

Just contact the relevant deposit protection scheme to get the ball rolling

Citizens Advice have a lot of information on their web site here
Shelter also has lots of information on their web site and they have an online chat facility here

You’re meant to be given details of how much deposit you’re getting back within 10 working days of the rental ending

Also what work are they saying needs done? Agents almost always try and charge you for spurious items, the deposit scheme is biased towards the tenant and help settle any disputes.

Ok, I'll have a look through my paperwork and see if I have details of the deposit scheme that it's in.

The agency haven't replied to my email sent mid August asking for details of the work that they feel needs doing. I have sent another email this morning.

TBH the agency have been completely shit and have broken a load of rules already (not giving 24 hours notice of potential new tenants coming to view the property etc), so this failure to respond to my emails doesn't surprise me. They only email me when they want something.

Are you in Scotland? If so it’s 30 days from the date you vacated (I’m an estate agent who also deals with lettings). You don’t need to wait for them to release it to you though, just contact the deposit scheme (you should have received details from them when it was lodged) to say you have moved out, that prompts the scheme to contact the landlord for authorisation to release it or they have X number of days to submit evidence on why they want to hold back some/all of it.

Thanks @icebearforpresident. I'm in England, but will chase up the deposit scheme.

Were you given a copy of the deposit protection certificate shortly after moving in? If so you'll know what scheme it's with and can contact them.
If they didn't give you this, they are in serious breach of the law and you can claim 3 months' rent plus (I think) your deposit.

I am a LL and IMO letting agencies may well stall either through incompetence, or because of cash flow problems.

I had to chase our former LA twice, to get them to return deposits to tenants. Have since sacked them for other incompetence too..

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER yes I have a copy of the certificate. I called the Tenancy Deposit Protection people and their blurb before you get through to anyone says you have to ask for your deposit back from the landlord/agency first before you speak to them. So I'm now on hold to the agency. Followed by an email.

In England they have ten days to notify you of any deductions. If it’s been over ten days then they can’t take anything

@Raphael34 - they emailed me to say that there was going to be a deduction, just not how much. I've called them today and they STILL can't tell me how much. I moved out 38 days ago.

Call the deposit scheme again and explain and ask their advice. You have now asked for it back so you've completed that step.