Q: I am posting on behalf of my work colleagues. Her daughter is renting a flat and some trouble trying to get her deposit back to her rented home have. There are a number of issues, but one is on the joints in the shower. They say that if the cracks in some places in black and deformed that they refuse to give her the deposit back. Personally I thought this was normal behavior for grout! and not a reason to view a deposit
Any remember?
A:A friend of mine got his deposit back via the small claims court who tend to favour the renter over the landlord. If it is an agency, go in and be a pain in the backside, frequently. Gather any evidence including photographs. Most landlords rely on you not wanting the hassle, so it is really up to her stomache for a fight.
A:She rented for 3 years
A:Any views?
How long did she rent for? Did she rent direct from a LL or an agent?
Best get colleague's daughter to post direct.
they are refusing the give her the deposit back
If she disputes any deductions and cannot resolve the matter she'll need to go to the small claims court.
EagerLearner's thread (http://www.consolidation-debt.tk/showthread.html?t=227606) details an ongiong dispute.
A:If they have any evidence the flat was dirty when they moved in and there was no inventory or the inventory was disputed in writing, then:
1. Fire of a letter to the landlord informing him that due to the flat being left in the state it was let in he has 14 days to pay back the deposit of ￡xxx amount otherwise he would be taken to court and will be liable for costs. The letter should be titled "Letter before Action" The letter needs to be signed by the tenant or whoever had the contract with the landlord.
2. After 14 days submit a claim using Money Claim Online through the small claims for the deposit amount plus interest.
A:Can't list all the problems 'cos I don't know all of them. I know there are issues with cleaning behind the fridge, washing maching etc. But I believe they had to give the flat a big clean when her daughter moved into the flat so that is one thing. Plus there are issues surrounding the maintance of the flat. e.g they would not fit a snib on the door after her daughter felt that someone had been in the flat. Also I believe the security phone on the door has never worked and the LL refused to get someone out to fix it as only 1 was broken.
A:Need more information needed i.e. what did the inventory say.
Grout will go black/discoloured but depending on how well the bathroom is fitted it can be cleaned. It won't go white again but won't be as discoloured.
Do a search on this forum. There are lots of threads about landlords withholding deposits for reasons that can be challenged, and what people have done about it.
Also look at shelter's website http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/index.cfm and contact them for advice.
A:You should list all the issues so we can discuss them. Of course none of us are experts, we can only give opinions.
In my opinion the grout issue sounds like fair wear & tear, that implies there may be other dodgy deductions.
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