Landlord and tenancy deposit - how to approach this?

[Cocorico]

Hi all,

I’d just like some advice on having my deposit returned from my landlord please.

In a couple of weeks, I’m moving out of the shared place that I rent.

When I knew that I was moving out, I gave my LL notice via email, to which she responded.

In that same email, I asked her to confirm the deposit return procedure and where I should leave my keys.

(She never comes to the property apart from when people move out, so I wanted to check these points with her in case she told me after I moved out that she couldn’t find my keys).

She never replied to the deposit and key points in that email, so I sent her a follow-up email a week later to check these points with her.

She replied to this email to say she was not available until the end of August.

She then never responded to my follow-up email, so I emailed her again on 31st July to ask when she would be available to inspect the room so we could agree how much of the deposit I will get back. She hasn’t replied yet.

The reason why I emailed her about the deposit in the first place was because I wanted to start sorting out everything before I leave the property.

I understand that the LL has to return the deposit to the tenant within 10 days of the LL and tenant both agreeing how much the tenant will get back.

The problem here is that the LL is not responding to my emails to even mention when she will visit the room to inspect it.

I hope I don’t sound like hard work. The LL never responds to any emails that the other flatmates or I send her, so we end up needing to send follow-up emails to chase her.

For example, we had a problem with our TV in February and phoned the TV provider. They said we needed an account number, which we didn’t have, so we contacted the LL in February to explain the situation to her and ask her for the account number. She gave us the account number yesterday.

What should I do? I realise that she doesn’t need to return the deposit until after I leave, but I’m worried I might have to chase her for the deposit.

Hi Joh66 - what’s the Prescribed Information? Is it details from my LL on where my deposit is protected? If so, yes :)

With the DPS they send the tenant an e mail to state they are holding the deposit, so you know where it is.

Ok, I presume the procedure for My Deposits is the same as for the DPS .

At risk of repeating something you already know here is their link for tenants:

www.mydeposits.co.uk/tenants/get-your-deposit-back/

You should have been sent an email when your deposit was protected which gives you your deposit ID and repayment ID. You can request repayment of the deposit by logging into My Deposits with these details. They will then prompt the landlord asking whether they agree to the return of the deposit/any deductions etc.

Crucially the landlord has to prove their case for any deductions. As has been said take plenty of photos when you leave but ultimately if there is no inventory the landlord will struggle.

Your prescribed information should tell you if the deposit is held in a custodial scheme (by My Deposits) or insured (with the landlord). I don't have any experience of insured schemes but your legal rights are the same either way.

Hope this helps.

Sorry op haven't read the ff but contact 'justice for tenants', they helped me with a similar problem

www.mydeposits.co.uk/tenants/deposit-checker/

You check using the above link on the website

Have you not got your reference number for the dps scheme? I thought these schemes had to make it harder for landlords to take money as they have to convince them.

Hi all,

I’ve got the reference number for my deposit but don’t have the prescribed information, so I don’t know if my deposit is held in the custodial scheme or insured scheme.

Thanks for pointing out ‘justice for tenants’ MummyofTwo - I’ll look them up.

Just emailed Justice for Tenants so waiting to hear back.

Just had a reply from the scheme that my deposit’s held in - they’ve said it’s in their insurance scheme so it’s held by the landlord, who pays them a fee to protect it. They said I need to raise a deposit dispute with them if I don’t hear back from the LL by Tuesday.