Hello,
I’d really appreciate some advice if anyone can help.
I’ve recently moved out of a professional house share, having rented a single room since December 2018. It was an assured short hold tenancy, if that’s relevant. The deposit held by the DPS is £350.
I’ve paid all rent to the end of my notice period, and have undertaken a lot of extra jobs for the landlord (garden work beyond simple maintenance, taking unpaid time off to let non-emergency contractors in to the property when they ask, etc.) they’ve told me several times that I’m the only tenant who can be relied on. I haven’t had any problems with the landlords until recently, as the end of my tenancy approached.
Due to securing a new apartment, I gave the landlords the required two month notice that I would be vacating my room, and if they wanted to try and secure a new tenant, I would be happy to end the tenancy earlier. I still paid all rent due for the full notice period. I made a slow move to the new apartment, and moved a few boxes a day over a couple of weeks. During this time, the landlords gave my passcode to another tenant, advising him he could use my room to stay in whilst they undertook maintenance in his room- granting access to my room and remaining belongings without my permission. This was done instead of putting him up in a hotel as previously arranged. On confronting them, they attempted to make out this access was only given to attend an emergency in my room- which they have not yet provided me with any details of. I asked them to change the passcode following this and they failed to respond. I moved all of my items out a few days later, took photos and advised I would not be re-entering the property.
I suggested an interim inspection during this period may be of use to help me ensure they were happy with my room, etc. prior to the tenancy end date, and asked to be present for the final check out inspection, which they have since undertaken without my knowledge or presence. The only feedback, via email, is that my own room was in excellent order, but that the shared areas needed a lot of work, and that they had spent hours cleaning the kitchen and clearing the garden. The tenancy agreement is unhelpfully vague re: the shared areas- but suggests a ‘clean as you go’ policy should be adopted, which is what I followed. Beyond this, I cleaned the kitchen several times despite not using it due to the cooking practices of other tenants. The tenancy agreement simply states that the tenants must keep garden areas tidy, but the landlord asked me to cut back entire hedges, front and back for which I had to purchase my own tools and borrow ladders.
The landlords suggestion following their ‘inspection’ was to make me an offer to forfeit my full £350 deposit for the cost of cleaning the kitchen and clearing rubbish bags from the garden, and if I agree, they will not pursue any extra costs from me. They have said that if I don’t agree, it will cost me considerably more than £350.
It’s very difficult to talk with Shelter or Citizens Advice in person, as they are understandably only providing emergency support at present.
Could anyone who has got this far (thank you!) advise me of how best to proceed?
Can I really be held liable for the full costs of clearing and cleaning shared areas, when two tenants are still living there, and when another tenant left at a similar time with rent arrears?
Thanks in advance for any help