Return of security deposit at end of tenancy

[Arkengarthdale]

Hi wondered what the consensus would be on this please.

I've just left a flat which had some disgustingly filthy areas when I took it over, so much so they agency had to send cleaners within two days. However they didn't clean the whole property, just the minging bits I'd reported. I found more horribleness later, reported it but said I would clean it myself.

18 months later I have left. There was a big walk in cupboard/small box room which had a very stained floor so I bought carpet for it and cut it to size and loose laid it. The agents now say I am being charged for its removal but I didn't even think about taking it away.

Do you think they can do this or should I argue that the flat was so gopping when I took it over that they already have had 'betterment' and I won't pay. There is also one lightbulb out which they are saying they'll charge me for but I had to report electrics in my tenancy because I went through so many bulbs (they sent someone to fix this eventually)

I just think they're really mean after I left the flat beautifully clean. Shall I dig in my heels and refuse to pay? They're waiting in an invoice from their contractor before they'll tell me much it is.

Opinions please and thanks

I think it’s always worth at least trying to argue - you might get it and if you don’t at least you tried! There’s nothing like the end of a tenancy for making you hate grasping landlords/estate agents ...

Assuming it is in a protected scheme dispute the claims. They usually side with the tenant and I suspect if you mention the betterment issue and its just a lightbulb after all the electricàl problems you will succeed

I would do a spreadsheet of everything you have done to the property with dates and length of time and how much it cost you.
Then send it to the agents telling them that you require reimbursement from them for all your expenditure.

As a landlord, I will tell you how it works. When you took the flat there should have been an inventory preferably with photographs. Without this, it is your word against theirs. Your deposit is not a security deposit. It is designed to cover damage, cleaning, removal of rubbish that may be necessary for the next tenant. This deposit should have been lodged with someone like the Deposit Protection Service and you should have information about where it is. If the landlord or the letting agent decide to withhold some or all of the deposit (which may also relate to the carpet ) They then submit this to the DPS with reasons, You are then asked to agree to the deductions. If you disagree the whole thing has to go to arbitration. However, this might be difficult if neither you nor the landlord has any real evidence like an inventory and photographs. Generally, I would advise you to remove anything, such as the carpet, as they are entitled to charge you for removal. If you have left it beautifully clean and take the carpet I am not sure what they will charge you for, ?a light bulb. I rarely keep back deposits and generally spend £100 or more on each tenant change over, left belongings and cleaning. I am sorry they didn't clean before you moved in, which does not suggest a very good landlord or letting agency for that matter

Raise a dispute. Was there an inventory when you moved in?

Yes there was an inventory and a handover done by a professional company. It was handed to me as 'commercially clean' but it wasn't until I was there on my own that I realised how manky some bits were. It looked superficially clean but the cooker hood was just gross and the bathroom floor round the loo nearly made me throw up. The shower electrics were really dodgy and needed to be replaced along with a lighting circuit that kept blowing bulbs.

They tell me I'm not allowed back into the flat to get the carpet but I can collect it from their offices although they are on a red route and there is no parking within a quarter of a mile. It's cut to fit the cupboard ie shaped round the doorway and boxed in pipes etc, it's not just a scrap of old carpet thrown down on the floor. If they'd mentioned at the time I'd have popped round and got it there and then.

I moved out because they wouldn't do maintenance. I had 18 months of dripping and damp from a broken gutter 😡

Sounds like a pretty typical rental story. I'm not surprised. Anything to screw you for some more money.

Definitely raise a dispute - they sound like arses.

Thanks all. My thoughts exactly. I shall just go to dispute.

agents are unregulated. your contract is almost certainly with the landlord. if deposit not protected sue the landlord, you will win.

if ir is, raise a dispute. They need to prove.

Raise the dispute with evidence of the ongoing issues and where you flagged problems, undertook maintenance yourself etc. Do you have emails or messages where you told them the cleaning was subpar? It took me weeks and weeks when we first moved in to get issues sorted out.

I’m expecting a similar battle when we move out of our rented place shortly, because the agent managing the property is an arse. I need to research the process of disputing deductions. Good luck OP!