I think my landlord has ripped me off, anything I can do?

Question

My landlord has taken over 3 months to return my deposit to me & the amount he has returned is way less than I expected. When we moved out of our flat there were a couple of holes made in the walls from moving furniture around but we filled those in. But, he's saying he's been charged £250 for filling them & painting work which seems very steep to me anyway. He's also charged us £40 for cleaning of a stairs carpet which we cleaned ourselves before we left. He didn't actually tell me he was getting this work done, he's just sent me back a cheque minus £290 for this work he says was needed. Am I within my rights to dispute it? Surely he should have consulted me before getting work done so I'd know how much it would cost as I was the one paying?! I could have got a much cheaper decorator in to do this work had I have known I was going to be charged for it. If I can dispute it how would I go about doing so..? Thanks for your help!

Hi deadman, thanks for your answer. He did include a copy of an invoice he got but it just says on it 'As discussed, repair work etc at estimate of £250'. It is from a proper company but it just seems ridiculously high, I think he may have had the whole place repainted & charged me! Me & my partner don't smoke so the walls were not stained or anything, hence the shock at a £250 bill!

Answer 1

My daughter recently moved from rented property and she was really worried about how much they would take from the deposit so I went with her. It should be dealt with BEFORE you hand over the keys. They should check property for damage then tell you how much they want you to pay. Then you start to haggle. I argued with her landlord about redecorating as it's not damage just wear and tear and all landlords should expect to repaint between tennants. e agreed to steam cleaning of carpets as that was on agreement when they first took on the place but we got virtually all her deposit back. You just have to be firm with them or they will walk all over you. Contact citizens advice bureau and take it from there. Good luck.

Answer 2

Very Important: Within 4 days of moving out, you must provide the landlord in writing of your forwarding address, otherwise you may risk not getting your deposit back.

Within 30 days the landlord then must refund the full amount, or state his claim in writing for damages. You can argue against any claim, again in writing within 7 days.

If the landlord and tenant can not come to an agreement about the security deposit and settle, the landlord must file suit to keep the deposit - within 45 days of termination of occupancy. If he does not file suit (he can not just keep the money) he faces the risk of having to pay double the amount back to the tenant. (Check with your state or country for the specific law).

The tenant may have to file suit to get the deposit back if he

* Did not give his forwarding address within 4 days

* Did not respond in writing within 7 days to the claim for damages

* The landlord did not refund the deposit even though the tenant did all the above

Answer 3

I am positive that is it illegal for a landlord to keep your deposit/bond for more than 3 months (think of the greedy sod gaining all that interest!) Look into this properly and maybe see citizens advice. Over 3 months to return is a joke. Also make sure you ask to see receipts for the 'work' he had carried out. Its a shame but most landlords ARE scum.

Answer 4

Don't know about what your laws are in your area, but where I'm from if you do not do a walk through when you leave to make sure everything is ok or agreed on what needs to be repaired, your landlord can use whatever they want from your deposit to perform repairs they feel is needed without having to notify you.

Answer 5

He should definitely have discussed it with you in advance, he should have gone through anything he thought needed doing and given you the opportunity to rectify it. you should ask him for the receipts for the work that was done seeing as you paid for it.

with regards to cleaning the stairs, this i'm sure would fall under wear and tear which he is not allowed to charge you for, its just something he has to do as part of his responsibilities as a landlord.

You are perfectly entitled to dispute and i recommend you do.

Answer 6

Contact Consumer Rights,.

Answer 7

You are right to feel angry and you should be able to claim back off him. You really need professional help with this though. Talk to someone at the Citizen's Advice Bureau. The legal advice is completely free and they will tell you were to go for help and what you are entitled to.

Answer 8

hi, i imagine your landlord is overstepping the mark. below the house contract you've gotten signed once you moved into your house, you may want to be in charge for any harm led to to the resources. although if as you assert the carpet became no longer new on the time you moved in, and throughout its existence it would want to ought to get replaced besides, then if the owner takes it upon himself to tear the carpet up and replace it, then it is a price that he might want to ought to undergo. I advise that you attitude your solicitor armed such as your contract and any correspondence between the owner and your self; to get the matter taken care of out earlier you outlay any funds. once you commit your self to the act of price, then that is attractiveness to the actual shown reality that the wear became led to by technique of you and also you'll lose out thoroughly. Act hastily and enable your solicitor do the speaking. good success!

Answer 9

Take him to the Small Claims Court. They will deal with it.