To not attend 'checkout' with landlord?

[Fuckedoffat48b]

We have just bought our first house and obviously have ended our tenancy on our current flat.

We have moved out, dug out the original inventory, had it professionally cleaned etc and now just want to hand the keys back. Except landlord is demanding we attend a 'checkout'. But I simply can't see any reason why I should?

Just for background landlord and her husband have been useless, lazy greedy and frequently rude whenever we have had to deal with them. I just can't see how I could benefit in any way from attending other than to handback the keys. Or am I missing something?

Should I attend checkout? Yes.
Well I don't think I want to. Fine.

Actually Wow I have taken onboard the points about taking photographs and will do so. I may consider filming. This is all good advice. Hell I have half a plan to turn up with a GoPro on my head and laminated inventory, as if that won't shut them up, what will?

I do however still fail to see how turning up to have a row with my landlord about some nitpicking, made up problem which I will ultimately dispute, is in my interests. Nobody has satisfactorily answered the quetion.

It sounds like it is a pointless box ticking exercise to suggest the landlord has performed due dilligance rather than something that will protect me.

I do however still fail to see how turning up to have a row with my landlord about some nitpicking, made up problem which I will ultimately dispute, is in my interests. Nobody has satisfactorily answered the question

Turning up to the inspection is to avoid a row. To avoid the landlord being able to fabricate "evidence" of damage. It isn't turning up to have a row with the landlord, but to avoid a row later.

Although if you go in all aggressive then you'll create a row all by yourself.

Standard AIBU.

20 odd people have unanimously advised you to go for the check out, OP. But they're all wrong because you can't be arsed and don't care whether you get your deposit back. Why on earth did you bother asking?

Hi OP I agree it makes no difference. The inventory clerk just states what he/she sees there is no room for argument in my experience of this.

Marinere the issue is that there isn't an inventory clerk. That woukd be fine and is what I had on check in which is why I feel fairly protected. This is checkout with the landlord, who is not an independent party, so I feel their opinion on whether or not they want to make deductions is a bit of an irrelavance tbh. I'm going to dispute stuff I don't agree with.

Just laminate a photo of yourself and send that. If it was a separate clerk I'd be less inclined if it was going to be difficult to attend, but given the circumstances I'd go to ensure there was no opportunity to make things up or damage anything.

But how will you dispute it if you have no evidence from the time of the checkout? As others have pointed out the landlord could cause minor damage at the checkout and you would only have pictures from a previous time when it was perfect. How will you prove you didn’t cause the damage in between?

Yeah like you’ve been told, you don’t have to, but it’s easier for them to take full advantage of you if you don’t attend.

If I were you I’d make a point of being there if at all possible.

If you can’t, have someone with you when leaving. Take pictures of EVERYTHING.

What evidence will I have from the time of checkout though? The landlord can fabricate or lie at any point.

I wouldn't - just make sure you have date-stamped photos of everything before you leave.

At the time of check out, you get the landlord to sign to say everything is fine.

You know, You say you aren’t fussed about your deposit, but if you were, I’d recommend actually paying a clerk to do one upon exit. That way they’ll put down what they think is damage and what is fair wear and tear. The landlord cannot try it on then.

I am a bit bloody minded though. Then you’d not need to attend either!

I got charged £140 for 'cleaning' which was on top of separate charges for a carpet valet and oven clean.

I'd already used a professional carpet cleaner which I rented (carpet was better than when we moved in!). It was too much hassle to contend it at the time but there's no way they spent 14 hours (£10 p/h) wiping the work surfaces on a two bedroom flat!

AllDay, I paid £140 for an end of tenancy clean for a one bed flat I rented. (Contractual requirement).

4 cleaners blitzed the place in 2 hours. I could have done it myself but they didn't just 'wipe work surfaces'. They did a really deep clean.

Beargoesgr I get your point and if it was an independent clerk I would be fine with going. But I am not ok with paying for a business expense on my landlords behalf. It shouldn't be necessary. But thank you for engaging with my point, there really is very little protection offered by turning up to hear the landlord's opinion on what they want to deduct to my face, rather than waiting to hear about it afterwards.

Bluelady I have never had a landlord do that though. In previous checkouts they have just said 'its fine' and then released my deposit a few days later. Is there a name for this document you are refering to?

Not to my knowledge. It's pretty easy to knock up a Word document and ask them to sign it.

If you don't want your deposit back then don't go.Simple.If it goes to dispute you will get 0-50% back only.

What about being able to discuss / argue your point at the time though? It's about evidence and also being able to make your own notes. Also, you could be able to sign that check off sheet and get a copy for proof.

If they're that much of a tosser I'd deffo want to be there to argue my case!! Principle of the matter.

Just a thought....

I'll give you an example. Landlord tells you the oven is dirty. You say it isn't. If you're not there, you can't argue against it (after all, you've been given the opportunity to attend but turned it down). If you're there, you can turn your video camera towards the oven as proof of the condition it's in.

Another example. Landlord says the carpet is dirty and needs cleaning. Same thing. If you disagree you can make sure you have all the evidence.

So, your attendance makes sure the landlord can't make anything up. Your failure to attend, and record the inspection, means you had control to the landlord and hope they do the decent thing. You should even video them at the end saying everything's fine and you'll get your full deposit back.

It doesn't have to be an argument. Each complaint, just tell her to take it up with the deposit scheme and if they agree with her on the basis of the original check-in and the photos that you are taking during the checkout. If the property is in a better state than what it was, what do you have to lose?

Btw I do want my deposit back but I can wait for it, so I am happy for it to go to dispute. Where did you get the figure regarding only getting 0-50% back if it goes to dispute?

What have you got to lose by being there? Previous posters have made a number of comments about the potential issues if you are not there.

Time and dignity @haireverywhere!

Posters have made a variety of points, some helpful, some pointing out that there are potential problems with me not being there but failing to engage with the fact that being there won't necessarily help me avoid them, and just exposes me to rude, confrontational behaviour from some twats that I just don't feel I deserve.

Some of the 'solutions' being suggested are good ideas, but there is no guarantee they will work. For example the suggestion upthread that I knock up a word document and get the landlord to sign it to say they won't make any deductions sounds like a good idea in theory, but ignores the fact the landlord can just refuse/laugh in my face/tell me to fuck off.

The suggestion I just pay for an independent inventory is also a good idea, but why on earth should I pay to ensure I get back money that is rightfully mine?I am not aware of the landlord or the deposit scheme being obliged to recognise a checkout inventory I have paid for myself either tbh. It's not a regulated profession as far as I am aware.

People are assuming that what the landlord says about their intentions to make deductions from the deposit at the checkout are what they will stick to. I have had (v minor) deductions announced after checkout, for example. And because I needed the money back quickly felt I needed to agree to them. Attending checkout offered me absolutely no protection in those circumstances.

The points about filming the process and taking photographs is however good advice and something I will discuss with DH tonight.