When do landlords return your deposit?

[Nix01]

I do hope you can advise what is the norm in this instance.

On looking into this, I could only only find confirmation that the deposit must be returned within 10 days of agreeing to any deductions.

We moved out of our rental home on 3 July and the agency are not responding to my emails with regards to the refund.

The check out inventory was conducted on 5 July which was sent to me after many requests on 17 July.

To date, the agent has still not responded to any further emails regarding the return of the monies.

Could you please advise if we should raise a dispute or report the agency?

[mousmous]

well, the landlord should 'release' it quickly from the deposit scheme, but they can take a while to process.
took us a good. month last time (a couple of years ago)

[INeedABiggerBoat]

Looks like we're in the same boat Nix!

[PigletJohn]

have you been told which scheme your deposit was placed in?

[PigletJohn]

p.s.

you say the inventory was done two days after you moved out. Were you present, and did you agree it?

[specialsubject]

first, get on to the deposit scheme concerned -I really hope you know which one it is. Their procedures will be on line.

then raise a dispute. Mostly the landlord has 10 days to raise a dispute, and if nothing happens the deposit goes back to the tenant.

phone the agency tomorrow morning. Agencies do seem to employ a lot of hair-flickers who ignore emails, I'm a landlord and every agency I've used has this problem, however reputable otherwise. Be a nuisance and demand to speak to someone because you are being ignored.

then see where you stand - and let us know!

[Nix01]

Thank you. The scheme is TDS and I've checked but no action has been taken on it.

I asked to be present for check out but they didn't get back to me but I did receive the report on 17 July. There aren't any major deductions but they haven't given me any costs besides the check out fee.

I've mailed TDS and will hopefully have some feedback tomorrow.

[PigletJohn]

does it state any deductions that, even though you were not present, you have agreed to?

Does it state any deductions that you have not agreed to?

[Nix01]

This clause was in our contract, it seems they've already breached their own contract, is there anything else you can suggest to move this along? It's almost £3k and I'd really like it back!

The Member must tell the Tenant within 10 working days of the end of the tenancy if they propose to make any deductions from the Deposit.

[Nix01]

I haven't agreed to anything as I asked for the costs of their deductions and have since been ignored.

[Nix01]

The only cost stated was curtains which I accept as I forgot about them but there was a few minor issues noted as tenant to pay but no actual numbers.

[PigletJohn]

I had a look at the TDS website but either because I am stupid, or because they are hiding it, I can't see that it tells you when you should get your deposit back.

So I would be inclined to start a Dispute. No reason not to do it today. Demand your full deposit back. If they can justify deductions, and prove that they are correctly calculated, no doubt they will.

It is very common for tenants, when moving, to need the deposit from their previous home for their new home, so foot-dragging is not acceptable.

[Nix01]

Thank you PigletJohn

[Nix01]

Would lodging a dispute delay things further or count against us in future landlord reference checks?

[PigletJohn]

No.

The system is designed to protect tenants against incomoetent and crook landlords and crook agents.

We all know why it was necessary to set it up.

Some used to look on the deposits of their victims as just another source of income.

[Nix01]

Thank you again, I've lodged a dispute.

[PigletJohn]

Well done

I bet that causes a sudden surge of action.

I see you said "We moved out of our rental home on 3 July and the agency are not responding to my emails with regards to the refund." so don't put up with any victim-whining from the agents saying "we were almost getting ready to think about sending you a cheque when we had a spare minute and could find a pen, why did you do that you horrid person"

[Nix01]

Too right, the straw that broke the camel's back though was the return email reply from the agency saying she's on leave now!

[Nix01]

PS, thanks again for your advice and taking the time to answer my queries.

[specialsubject]

'she' is on leave? Is she the only person there?

contact the landlord who is paying for this non-service and raise hell.

[Nix01]

SpecialSubject, no, there's more staff, but she's apparently the only one who deals with refunds.

I put the landlord's details in the dispute form, he should receive a copy of the dispute from TDS shouldn't he?

[specialsubject]

yes he should.

and after contacting the landlord, demand to speak to the boss of the agency. your contact hasn't done her job, so complain. As frequently and loudly as you like. Keep phoning. Be a nuisance.

[Artistic]

Typically 30 days after end of tenancy is the legal limit after which the landlord is in breach. Some landlords enjoy holding the amount until this time - even when the deductions are agreed well in advance.

[specialsubject]

yes, some landlords are crooks. Some tenants are crooks too.

but no landlord actually HAS the deposit unless they are breaking the law. It goes into a protected scheme, the landlord does not have it!