Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Landlord taken 50% of security deposit!

170 replies

lottsm · 20/06/2018 02:57

AIBU to ask for help I feel sick to my stomach! Any advice right now would be greatly appreciated- my heart is absolutely racing!

I've just finished third year at a university in London. I moved out of my rented flat on Wednesday and just received an email saying he will be deducting £890 to cover costs and damages. We left the flat in decent condition (gave it a hoover and wipe down) but he is claiming it was in a dilapidated state. I treated his flat with respect throughout the year. I know we should've taken pictures but we also hired a cleaner for 2 hours (not end of tenancy clean) who could possibly verify this.

I should note that I moved out on 4 months before my tenancy ended because my flatmate was so unbearable to live with. In the email, it stated he will need to repair the washing machine because my flatmate broke the handle and replace my flatmate's mattress for being dirty (I slept on airbed when I was there!).

A new microwave has also been quoted for, when I saw the microwave on Wednesday I was shocked at how bad my flatmate had let it become but a bit of kitchen spray and elbow grease would sort it out- it does not need replacing at all. He has also quoted £400 for end of tenancy cleaning whilst I was given estimates of around £160 (including carpet clean)

I really think he is trying it on and looking to kit out his (dated) flat with new items. What can I do? And is there any way I can make my flatmate cover the costs of the damage she is clearly responsible for. We have a joint tenancy so I honestly think I'm screwed.

The deposit was given to me by parents and they are expecting it back in full. My flatmate is loaded. We have a joint tenancy

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 22/06/2018 06:28

And remember... you have up to 6 years to take him to court for not having done things as he should have done... that penalty of 1 - 3 times the deposit amount is still an option for you Smile

lottsagain · 22/06/2018 08:14

Just wanted to say one final thank you. When my flatmate told me she "didn't have the mental capacity to deal with this" (because of stress) I can't tell you how alone and overwhelmed I felt. Truly I was shitting myself! But the support and advice from people on here way bloody amazing, so thanks for the taking the time to help!! Smile

Want2bSupermum · 22/06/2018 11:27

I'm very pleased at how this turned out for you. Please take pictures next time when you move into a place. As a LL it kills me that there are so many dishonest ones out there. The worst LLs tend to be with agencies so avoid them if at all possible. I advertise on gumtree and I know a few good LLs do too.

mrcharlie · 22/06/2018 12:08

It does sound like he's trying it on

I absolutely despise the buy-to-let culture that's now sweeping this country. I truly hate these parasitic fuckers with a passion I never knew I had.
The whole higher education thing is just a cash cow for both government and landlords.

My niece was stung for 3yrs by these fuckers.

It's a pity you can't call the help of someone and ask them to pop round for a "quiet chat" with him.

Did I say I hate them? Truly!!

K0k0g0rillaz · 22/06/2018 12:53

I've moved house many times, every single land lord deducted deposit money for some issue. I've left property in better condition that when I first moved in. It helped motivate me to save up to buy my own property. However, I realise that not everyone has that opportunity. Did you rent via an agency or private landlord ?

SecretSantaaaaaa · 22/06/2018 12:57

I really need this money

but of course, it's your parent's money

Want2bSupermum · 22/06/2018 13:10

mrcharlie Totally agree with you on the whole idiotic expansion of tertiary education. What exactly is wrong with starting work at 16 or 18? I also don't understand why everyone has to move out to attend university or have their parents fund it? It's absolutely idiotic.

I say this as someone who went through 3 years of a bachelor program at a 'redbrick'. It was a complete waste of time. The only reason I stuck around was to get the certificate because without it I was going to have a problem getting past HR. My friends whose parents couldn't afford to support their DC graduated with £30k of debt and it took them 10 years to pay it back. They are only now, approaching 40, able to afford to consider buying a home. That's only if they haven't had children. The whole thing is an absolute farce.

londonmummy1966 · 22/06/2018 13:14

Just picked up on this thread and I'm so pleased that you've got your money back. Power of MN indeed.

Please can I ask you pass all the details on to your Student Union and the university accommodation office? Given he is a multiple landlord he may well try this on all over the place and if they know about this they may be in a position to help someone else he tries to screw over - people like this are often not multi-millionaires for nothing!

lottsagain · 22/06/2018 13:23

I have already sent his details to my university. I'm also considering writing a letter to the next tenants to warn them and make sure they cover their arses.

myusernameisnotmyusername · 22/06/2018 13:31

Just seen you got an amazing result. Well done! It is a fantastic feeling!

specialsubject · 22/06/2018 14:03

excellent. Knowledge is power. Remember you can still sue for non protection of deposit which (if you have the energy) may stop him doing this to someone else. Returning the deposit does not absolve him from the law breaking.

you may want to check up Shelter's accounts and spending before you donate, but up to you. The government do refer from their info, but I don't imagine that is done for free.

pigsDOfly · 22/06/2018 14:15

Want2BSupermum. How do you come to the conclusion that the worst LLs tend to be with agencies? Have you researched this? Do you have statistics?

I have an agent for the house I let out, because I live 90 miles away from it. They are a reputable local estate agent in that area and are brilliant and very ethical, and I am a fantastic LL.

I also have someone, other than the agency, that deals with any problems when anything stops working or any work needs doing. If anything goes wrong I have someone in to deal with it, usually on the day they ring to notify the person who deals with these things, and if it can't be dealt with on the day, certainly by the next day.

When they had a bees' nest I had someone there within a day. When the washing machine broke they had a new one within a couple of days. This is how I work. I wouldn't dream of leaving things not dealt with.

You can't know the circumstances of every letting in the country so how can you possibly know that the worst LL are the ones that use agencies.

And if you read the whole thread I think you'll find that the OP said the LL manages the property himself.

Patienceofatoddler · 22/06/2018 16:28

3 hours is nothing sorry especially if as you say you noticed areas were dirty ie the microwave but done nothing about it?

The landlord isn't going to 'wipe it down' - that's the tenants responsibility - they will get professionals in / replace item and charge you.

We recently moved out of a rented house we were in between house purchases.

We spent 3 days scrubbing the place - including dusting on top of kitchen units - cleaning the oven inside / our and frankly left it cleaner than I was when we moved in.

Why?!?

Because I really wanted every penny of our £1300 deposit back.

If you wanted full deposit back you should have made sure it was left in a condition you found it in.

Especially if you have no photos to back up your plea you won't stand a chance.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 22/06/2018 16:43

Pssst! Patience - we're on page 7, things moved on a bit Smile

specialsubject · 22/06/2018 16:44

with the deposit unprotected it doesnt matter what state the place was in, the landlord has still broken the law and is not entitled to deductions.

lottsagain · 22/06/2018 17:35

I didn't scrub the flat to within an inch of its life because I knew we were always going to pay for an end of tenancy clean. My flatmate and I (along with a hired cleaner) cleaned just so the flat was left in a decent/respectable state. There are plenty of things I would do differently, obviously leaving the microwave was silly. Thankfully I didn't have to learn the hard way.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 22/06/2018 18:13

Had you seen the state of the student house I did yesterday you would blush. They too relied on the end of tenancy clean - it's usual practice !

Tiredmumno1 · 24/06/2018 00:17

Just catching up, and wanted to say what great news that is OP, really pleased for you.

The great advice given here will help in future. Unfortunately there are some dishonest landlords out there, but there are also just as many great ones, hopefully you won't have to encounter that again Smile.

lhastingsmua · 24/06/2018 00:32

Yay! Congrats

TaleasoldasTimee · 24/06/2018 10:03

OP you can still sue him for non protection of your deposit! Shelter have some template letters quoting the relevant legislations etc.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread