Landlord ignoring requests to refund deposit

[Exchange230316]

Moved out of rental flat on Friday finally as I previously got keys for place we bought. Yeah!
Spent hours cleaning, pictures taken.
Very mouldy flat which I thoroughly cleaned.
keys dropped through letter box at landlords request as we finished a bit late.
landlord claimed she was at a baby shower all day on Saturday.
Landlord is now ignoring requests about deposit.
I believe flat was put back to the condition I received it which was not great and I have inventory evidence- things like worn skirting boards/carpet/mouldy windows/cobwebs. All documented.
landlord was basically crap- lots of ceiling leaks(landlord ignored)/bathroom leaks/items that broke just by touching them which we repaired. Lino in bathroom lifting which landlord by her own admission were likely due to leaks. I have all the text evidence if this too. Tap washer stopped working so constant drips and landlord refused to repair. Landlord had to be reminded to do gas safety check. Was late by 5 months.
Landlord has already moved new tenants in within 1 day of me leaving proving that flat must be ok enough to let out though I know she hasn't bothered to do any maintenance. She never visited once in 18 months of us being there.
How long should I be waiting before taking action?
Deposit is protected by DPS.

If I remember correctly, I think you can request it back from the dp's right away

Check what the DPS says.

Worth letting the new tenant know about the landlord.

Yup, head straight to the DPS and request a return.

You request the return through the DPS, not the landlord.

The landlord needs to initiate the return through the DPS and they have a specified time frame in which to do it. 14 days from memory though I could be wrong on that. Have a check at the FAQ's on the DPS website.

Just realised you only moved out on Friday so today is only the 2nd working day after. And you have sent requests to the landlord already. How many? If you hassle them enough they might well take the total time they are allowed just to be awkward to you.

The request has to be with the company the deposit is protected by. You should have got a confirmation email about it when you moved in. You can find out who your deposit is protected with online, if jts not protected they are liable for a fine.

Oh I'm sorry just seen you know who jts protected by, ignore me.

Thanks
that is good yo hear.
I did speak to DPS and they seemed yo suggest I could start but if landlord did not respond I would be liable for costs as I would have to go to magistrates court!
I thought this was a fair and free service!

@Poppyseed14
What rubbish
I always paid my rent on time and the landlord has already got new tenants in.
I am not expecting the deposit straight away just that she reply to my message telling me what us going om.
Please read before you reply.

Well that escalated quickly, hope you didn't take that tone with the landlord...

Yes it is rubbish isn't it though but let me guess are you the type to look down on tenants as you are doing them a favour.

Calm your horses. The landlord should pay back within 10 days of you agreeing how much it should be.

She has no incentive to pay you back early. Going in aggressively would piss them off and make them want to pay you back at the final hour.

Is there a timeframe for deposit refund e.g. 2 weeks? I would be making it clear to LL that you will go to court if they don't refund by deadline.

In my experience, the deposit will be returned on the very last day possible. The last time I did this it was day 30.

Call your agent or landlord on the morning it is due and ask for it again. Mention that you do not want to go to the dps but you will if necessary.

Letting Agent here. You can request your refund on the DPS tenant dashboard, the LL (or Agent, whoever registered the deposit initially) is then notified to respond.
Your tenancy agreement should specify how the return of your deposit is handled e.g. timeframe, etc. Remember 'returned' and 'accounted for' are two very different things.
Lastly, there are unlimited fines and/or 6 months imprisonment for Landlords with no gas safety certificate. A current one, together with other important documents must be served on the tenant at the start of all new tenancies (and some renewing ones).

Thanks @MintJulia
I was mainly wondering about timeframes but useful to know they usually want to leave it till the last minute to make the tenant suffer even more.

I did read your post and I replied accordingly. The fact that you didn't like what I said doesn't make it rubbish.

Says who?! One poster. You need to calm down, it's been one working day.

@Exchange230316 They aren't trying to make you suffer. Please don't think it's personal. Landlords are running a business. They will hold onto cash for as long as they can while staying within the rules because that money is being used as cashflow. It's a basic business tactic.

Every day that they can use someone else's (your) money means they don't pay interest on borrowing it from the bank.

It's usually contact protection scheme after 10 days I believe

The tenant needs to action the request through the DPS then the landlord agrees if all good.

If the money is held in the DPS custodial scheme then it is of no benefit to the landlord to hold onto it as long as he can as he is not physically holding the cash.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/ending-your-tenancy/getting-your-tenancy-deposit-back/#:~:text=If%20you%20paid%20a%20deposit,ask%20them%20for%20your%20deposit.