In thinking a house deposit shouldn't take this long to return?

[CuriosityKilledTheCrap]

I moved out of a rented property 3 weeks ago. I had it professionally cleaned, including the carpets. A professional inventory clerk went through everything on check out day. A report was then drafted with weird reasons they could bill me.

The cleaners returned, did the bits that were missed. They want to charge me for cleaning external windows and shrub cutting. Okay...

My beef is that the property is in the process of being sold. It doesn't need to be tennant ready. No vendor has made an offer on the understanding the glass vase stays put

I want it sorted! I moved back home so luckily haven't stumped up another deposit.

It seems much too long to me. AIBU? Can I email the agent tomorrow and request a timescale or something?

I was there for 2 years - £1100 PCM. £75 is to replace blinds. I've priced up new blinds for that window and it would be £75.

I shouldn't be paying new for old should I?!

No, it's not new for old. Even if the inventory hadn't said they were stained and broken, there would still be fair wear and tear taken into account.

I've just pulled up the original inventory...

"Stains, marks, fraying in places not working"

Is exactly the description by the check in clerk!

Oh god I can't believe how pedantic this is....

The dent in the fridge is where the dishwasher door opens on to it.

The original fridge wore out after about 6 month and was replaced. Once fitted, the dishwasher door banged into it.

I dunno why the LL wants £15. Bereavement counselling presumably?

Brickwork damages for holes made by me when putting up picture I guess? Ironically this is the most expensive but the one I agree with the most. I did damage the brickwork (albeit tiny) and didn't make good but the property is being sold. The LL isn't going to take that money and pay for a plasterer is he?

curiosity - did the agent/LL write to you and confirm the proposed deductions within 10 days of the tenancy ending? Did you then write back, within 10 days, to dispute the deductions?

If agent didn't write then there are grounds for raising a dispute. With mydeposits, the agent holds the money and mydeposits insures it. The agent is supposed to unprotect the deposit and send you any undisputed amounts within 14 days of the tenancy ending (unless otherwise stated in the tenancy agreement).

I have had tenants raise (and lose) disputes AFTER i have had their written confirmation that they accept the deductions and returned the deposit all within the proper time scales etc... (they lost because I had their written confirmation)

I had an email with proposed deductions after 5 days... The deposit was unprotected after 8 days. The first bit of 'undisputed' money came yesterday (27 days after leaving) which was £1250.

I haven't 'written' anything - just been emails and phonecalls. I can see your point though - if I had accepted it, I couldn't then change my mind.

And I haven't signed anything, nor written in an email I agree with any of it.

The 2 actions I took was to remove some stuff I left by accident (a strimmer/rake/petrol can in the garage), and got the cleaners to revisit.

ok so there is still an amount you would like returned? ideally you should have disputed with the agent in writing within 10 days of their email outlining the deductions. if you haven't done this, don't worry.
step 1 email dispute to agent. if you can't reach an agreement in x days or they just say no then
step 2 raise a dispute with mydeposits. i think you are covered by them for up to 3 months after the tenancy has ended, even when the deposit has been unprotected.
if you raise a dispute with mydeposits the agent will have to send them the disputed amount. you raise the dispute but its up to the agent to justify the deductions (although you should include as much information as possible to make the agents job harder)

(apologies for poor typing, im on my phone)

Thanks petty. Yep - that's what I've done. All in the hands of mydeposits now. They have all te documents they need.

I'd love to know whether the sale of the property can proceed with an outstanding dispute?

A survey was completed last month, but that's all I know!

I wouldn't have thought the dispute would have any impact on the sale. It's a dispute over a small (compared to the cost of a home) sum of money that exists but with disputed ownership. There won't be any contractual obligation against the house.