Looks like we're going to have to go to arbitration to get our deposit back, has anyone got experience of this?

[UnfairlyTreated]

We moved out of our rental property a couple of weeks ago. The letting agents did both the check in and out inventories and are claiming against us for lots of pre existing items. The check in inventory wasn't very detailed although I did add some notes at the time, but the check out was done very thoroughly. For example there's no mention of the condition of individual items on the check in, but there is on the check out. theyre also claiming for cleaning, it wasnt professionally cleaned at the start and we cleaned it so it was spotless and much cleaner. They don't have any proof that we caused the damage because we didn't. I'm waiting for them to respond to my itemised reply but I suspect I'll have to go to arbitration with the TDS.

I just wondered if anyone had been through this and what the process was like?

We have been through it as LLs but the tenant just ran off (without paying back rent) so there was no actual dispute, it just took ages to get the deposit back.

As tenants, we will probably be going through it soon because our LL is a bastard - the key broke the first time we used it and they have already told us that they intend to deduct the locksmith's fees from our deposit.

Did your contract specify that it had to be professionally cleaned? Ours does which is really annoying because I know it wasn't done before we moved in.

No the contract doesn't say it needs to be professionally cleaned. The letting agent sent a letter when we handed in our notice saying amongst other things that it was in our contract that the carpets should be professionally cleaned. There's nothing about carpet cleaning in the contract, so they're trying it on across the board.

It can be extrememly useful to contact the previous tenant.

I learned that on some short business leases, some landlords make a habit of charging every leaving tenant for renewing or redecorating the same things, and just pocket the money.

Just recently everyone i know who has moved out of rented accommodation has had the letting agent or landlord try to claim for a professional clean, and without exception they've all backed down when challenged.

way back in 2000 I had an agency (the last time I EVER rented through an agency) really seriously try it on. I had withheld the last months rent though because I knew they were going to and I had full photographic documentation of everything as well as reports from neighbours in the block who owned their flats. They even tried to charge me because a picture was standing on the floor propped up against the wall as the hook was so dodgy. The stupid landlady had left pictures up all over the place and all the hooks were dodgy plus the pictures terrible so I had taken them down and stored them in the cupboard for 2 years. Then because the flat would be empty for a week at the end of my tenancy I was too worried to hang that one back up as I was sure it was too heavy and would fall down and smash so I left it propped up against the wall with a note left to it explaining why and they said that it wasn't in the exact position it had been left it! well er no neither was the rubbish in the kitchen bin retained for 2 years or the blood in the bathroom which were just some of the delights awaiting me when I moved in.... ho hum I never rented through an agency again. the flat was disgusting when I moved in and it was spotless when I left.

It's galling as we left it so much cleaner than we found it and have had to put up with long long delays for repairs etc. I'm still waiting for their response to my reply.

We had this once. Had to disinfect the flat when we moved in. When moving out the agents were so pleased and said they had never seen it so clean. Then 6 weeks later when they still had not returned our deposit they tried the 'professional clean' line. They are all chancers.