Deposit dispute

[queenjaneappro]

Hello...
Left property last week.
Never had an inventory, no check in / out reports and no inspection reports.

LL attended annually to do gas check and never raised any issues.

There was damage to doors - due to autistic sons meltdowns. LL always said don't worry I'll replace them all anyway when you leave.

Also told me not to worry about the carpets / windows as he was ripping them all out when I left.

Back in April I said I would get professional deep clean when I left - he said no need for that, you will get all your deposit back.

So come leaving day he is really agitated. Said he was unhappy and disappointed (despite being in 2 weeks previously to measure for new windows) - I said can we discuss this and talk about the deposit . He refused to discuss said ' I need a week'. My brother was with me and said he thought he seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown - it was all very strange.

So lo and behold today he said he is keeping all of the deposit. Reasons like - damage to doors - that he previously said don't worry about.

I mentioned there was no inventory/ check in / out etc for his claim and he said 'doesn't matter I've got videos'.

Just wondering if on the face of it his claim would not succeed due to lack of written evidence - and no inspection reports etc - was there for 9 years so long time.

If it is considered - does my word count against his - there is nothing in writing. Would that not indicate he's not a very good landlord and didn't take responsibility seriously?

It is in deposit scheme so I think he sets out his claim then I get a chance to respond?

I agree, legally he's opened himself up with no inventory although I would be pushing for the video as that could be construed as an inventory.

Morally, I think you should pay for the damage you caused. If you were genuine in your offer initially to pay, then this is only doing the same but further down the line.

While this isn't on you to fix, refusing to pay for damage whilst also stating it is all the responsibility of your DC with autism does contribute to the problem disabled people can have when trying to rent. It sounds like your LL will try to avoid similar situations in the future which is awful but paying for the parts caused by you might help the perception.

Good luck

In which case it's worth dropping EH at your LA know. They may start checking up on the properties but I doubt it. As I said there is very little enforcement being carried out particularly since legal aid went.

Is EH Environmental Health or Electricity something...? I will get in touch.
He made a really flippant comment to me years ago that he didn't mind letting to people on benefits as he didn't care if they trashed the place as he'd always get deposit back. I wasn't on benefits (at that time) and it made me feel uneasy. I wonder now if this is much more calculated on his part.

I agree, legally he's opened himself up with no inventory although I would be pushing for the video as that could be construed as an inventory.

I have requested it, no response.

Morally, I think you should pay for the damage you caused. If you were genuine in your offer initially to pay, then this is only doing the same but further down the line.

Yes I agree. I don't agree with paying for 8 new doors when only 2 were damaged. He is being dishonest and what he is doing is morally wrong rather than vice versa. Once I have worked out what I think is fair for 2 doors then I will state that.

While this isn't on you to fix, refusing to pay for damage whilst also stating it is all the responsibility of your DC with autism does contribute to the problem disabled people can have when trying to rent. It sounds like your LL will try to avoid similar situations in the future which is awful but paying for the parts caused by you might help the perception.

I'm not refusing to pay. But don't think he should be claiming the whole deposit.
I totally get your point about the longer term impact to disabled people trying to rent but I am weighing that up against me being massively out of pocket because he is being fundamentally dishonest. Or as some others have said 'trying it on'.

Thanks for wishing me luck! What a nightmare this all is. I hate renting.