Deposit Protection Scheme

[Mamma182838]

I originally posted on AIBU which I think was the wrong place to ask for advice.

Our landlord is charging us for various things some of which we agree are our issues and some of which we disagree with. We think the charges are also inflated across the board. The EA emailed us the issues and charges and we have started a dispute though DPS.

DP and I are disagreeing on what we should do. He thinks we need to be polite and respond to the email, lay out our justification and provide quotes to rectify the issues.

I think we need to do it through DPS. I’m unsure of the next step though - do we reject every charge because we’re think it’s inflated? And is the next step to counter-offer? What if the work has already been done?

Also by raising a dispute are we going to end up with a bad reference? We don’t need one for the foreseeable future but you never know. We have had no issues with renting previously - how old are too old references?

Landlord here and also manage a portfolio of 55 properties. Any information in a reference must be truthful, factual, and not discriminatory so if you’ve paid rent late or left the house a mess then they can state that.

in terms of DPS; the claim will depend on discrepancies on the check in and check out inventories and photographic evidence. They will consider any quotes to remedy any issues. If there is no evidence then you’ll not have an issue and will win.

in my experience, the DPS tends to side with the tenants and will reduce any claim the landlord has submitted that they feel is over inflated. I think the DPS are pretty fair. Don’t get into it with your landlord. That’s what the DPS is there for. It can be long but it’s fair.

Agree with @User19977999 to go via the DPS and not engage with the LL. Its amazing how you can have a good relationship with the LL and then they try to rinse you when you leave. Unless there are detailed photos/video from the check in process the LL will almost automatically lose. Do not feel sorry for him. These are business related expenses and he can claim back the cost of rectifying (but not improving) the property to relet it. I often wonder how many LLs claim from both the tenant's deposit AND the taxman for the same expenditure.