Agent wants to see evidence I've paid all bills

[Meandyouandyouandme]

I've left my rental property today, and had an inspection with someone from the agency who said all was in order and she would refund me in full. However, I have to provide evidence that I've paid all the utility bills before they will refund me, is this correct? I think it's none of their business if I've paid my bills, which I have anyway. Can anyone advise? Thanks

Refund my deposit that is.

They should submit meter readings - agreed with you - on behalf of the landlord, contact the council re: council tax, etc so providing they do that it's neither here nor there. Tell them you are happy to declare in writing you have done so.

It should be pretty clear when your liability ended and the landlord's kicked in so providing you have given a forwarding address that's all they need.

Is your deposit correctly protected in a scheme?

Thanks, deposit is protected, we have agreed meter readings. I have transferred council tax, water, phone and broadband to my new house. Just need to finalise gas and electricity, which I will do today. Can they demand to see my bills though? Or shall I just send them a letter? Have given them a forwarding address.

I'm pretty sure they can't do this. For a start, deposits have to be returned pretty promptly these days and final bills can take a while to be issued.

That's what I thought, the house is in good condition so no deductions. We've only been there six months anyway, landlord wants to sell.

Liability for the property ended at 12pm today. Just can't be bothered to find all the bills and send them, so if they have to give it back anyway and I'm in no hurry, I may as well wait. The council have said it can take six weeks to update

I wouldn't bother. If they've taken meter readings, you've transferred the accounts (so you're sure you won't get charges from any future occupants) then let them whistle for it.

They still must return the deposit. Deposit is unrelated to bills.

Ok thanks, I've emailed the agency to ask for it to be returned. Will see if they are going to be difficult.

The only possible advantage to this dubious practice is it gives the agent more time to process their paperwork and get your deposit released. Do you have a signed copy of the check out inventory?

Advantage for them, obviously.

No I didn't get a signed copy, the lady was over 30 mins late and I had to get to work so it was all rather rushed. No reply to my email yet. I've moved 3 times in last 18 months, so just can't be bothered to spend any more time than necessary on my bills!

I had this - and they enforced it. Problem is the utilities and council tax aren't set up to do it so I ended up getting copies of proof of payment.

I get why landlords want it - but did have very farcical conversations trying to get it sorted.

If you pay your bills online, this is going to be difficult to prove. They shouldn't be asking this anyway, the bills are between the utility company and you. You have given them a forwarding address anyway.

This is yet another grey area. The tenant is responsible for all bills during her time there and therefore the Agent can ask to see proof that she has paid them....but in reality its just not possible and if the Agent has taken readings and notified council tax themselves, and got your forwarding address, then its not necessary either.

Id write a letter to the Agent listing readings agreed and saying you've informed council tax (copy of email you sent them?) and say obviously you dont have closing bills yet, but this info is sufficient for them to release the deposit.

If they dont agree, then raise a dispute with the deposit scheme.

Unless there is a dispute over meter readings they cannot use this to withhold your deposit. Contact the relevant deposit scheme. Do you now have a copy of the check out report? Did you sign it at the time?

My last landlord withheld the deposit payment for months over exactly this issue, while I chased utility companies for something they're not set up to provide (as a PP said). It's an absolute pain in the arse and I'd never come across it before; I assume it's a new trick in response to the deposit protection schemes (cynically, I wonder whether there's some way they could have been profiting from that deposit in some way, between the end of the tenancy and when it was actually paid out to me...)

It may not be legal but I think it's pretty common.

Its not legal at all, after 14 days the deposit has to be repaid, or a specific amount for a specific thing has to be declared as being disputed.

If this is not the case, (as in here where there is no specific amount) tenants should just raise a dispute with the deposit scheme.

One of the schemes allows Agents/LLs to hold the deposit themselves, so they would profit minimally from interest and cashflow, but it does seem a ridiculous amount of angst to create for no reason.

these bastards need to be regulated

Could it be related to the sale. Eg that the owner is being asked by the purchaser's solicitor for proof that there is vacant possession and no unpiad utility bills. If so it is lazy for the Agent to ask you to provide the proof. Just give him the account numbers and suggest he calls to confirm that there is no outstanding amounts due and that accounts are now in the landlords name.