Landlord deducting from deposit because inventory nuts!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

It's our fault. We didn't check that the freezer contained 2 drawers instead of 3 that the inventory stated, or question their interpretation of 'newly painted with minor scruffs', or the fact that the property contained a number of minor things not contained on the inventory and the fact that we didn't dispute the 3 picture hooks when there were also 12 nails in the wall above the curtain rail that they are saying we put in.

The landlord is now insisting on making a deduction for various things (yet to find out) including the missing 3rd drawer from a freezer that can only contain 2 drawers, the removal of some shelves that were there and also a cable that runs up the stairs that was also there.

We did peel of a tiny piece of paintwork from a door that we put a heart sticker on, but it is clear from that door, and the rest of the décor in the house that no prepping (i.e. cleaning or sanding) was done before any painting and most things were fixed (including light switches) with bathroom sealant.

We assumed since the place was in such a shoddy decorative state that the landlord didn't care too much, but we still took very good care of it, got professional cleaners in and a gardener before we left.

Does anyone have any advice?

Yes, dispute it. The freezer and bathroom cabinet things sound particularly daft. The deposit scheme is there so that LLs cannot make random and unfair deductions.

This is a lesson really that if you are a tenant, always, always note every single scratch and mark on everything in the house. IMO most landlords will try to retain your deposit and rely on the fact you will not have the strength or motivation to fight them. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme is there to protect you as well as him so use it to your advantage.