DD's landlord refusing to give back deposit

[outdamnedspots]

Dd is at uni. Was in an 8-person flat last year. They have a protected deposit. The landlord is handling it all himself - no agents.

He is saying that they owe him money for eg repainting hand marks on wall, cleaning oven (which was not cleaned before dd started her tenancy), etc.

Who can dd talk to to mediate?? She is emailing landlord and arguing, and the landlord is changing his mind about what amounts they owe, but surely a lot of this is wear and tear and expected with 8 people in a flat??

Help, please...

The deposit should be held in a proper deposit service who will mediate in any dispute. If the landlord has not held the deposit in a proper deposit protection scheme then he’s in breach of his obligations and they should seek advice.

If it is a protected deposit get the lead tenant to raise a dispute with the deposit protection scheme. The landlord will have to prove his case.

My DD had similar issues when a student. She contacted her MP and she got their money back for them pretty quickly.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/how_to_get_your_deposit_back/dispute_unfair_deductions

This explains the process.

It's a proper scheme. Thanks, @Spirallingdownwards - Dd will contact them.

Your DD should reply to the LL, state that this is her officially requesting the return of the deposit from the deposit scheme and she expects it within the legally expected timescale. She should also say any disputes should be referred to the scheme and she won't accept any deductions for wear and tear.

Then wait.