I have another property lined up and will hopefully be giving my notice soon. I have never been allowed to decorate here, in fact I've been allowed to do very little. My rent has always been paid on time, and I have passed every inspection. However, the agent that deals with this property are notorious for playing dirty, and I am worried about getting my deposit back... People have warned me, and said "good luck getting your deposit back from them - they will make all sorts up and do ANYTHING to keep as much as possible" this is worrying as they have £900! Not only that, but they are insisting I decorate the house throughout in magnolia (it's already magnolia, but they want me to 'freshen it up') before I move out. Since they have never let me decorate while I have lived here, why should it come down to me to re-decorate for the next tenants?? Surely it is the landlady/agents job to come in once I am gone to decorate and prep fpr next people?? Honestly, I am struggling to understand what rights I have at all. I've heard so many stories about how my rights change the longer I have been here, but I just don't understand in what way!!... Is there anyone on here that understands all this?? I have been a good, reliable, clean tenant, I am more than happy to shampoo all carpets and thoroughly clean and scrub everything everywhere, but it is not my house and I'm not prepared to decorate when I've never been allowed to so far anyway!
Sorry for rant... years of frustration I guess!... Any advice/input would be very welcome and appreciated!! TIA x