Reclaiming Security Deposits

[William]

Any tips on getting letting agencies to return rental security deposits? I moved out several weeks ago and the inventory report has been '2 days away' ever since. There have also been vague mentions of cleaning costs to be subtracted, but I would contest that the flat was left much cleaner than when we arrived. How long can they legally retain the whole deposit without good reason (forever)? How do I go about trying to retrieve any amounts I believe have been witheld unfairly once (if!) the bulk is returned?

[rinkytink]

Letting agents will always try to stitch you up for cleaning costs. It has happened to me twice when I was a student - even though we scrubbed the house from top to bottom before we left. I have never had a problem with private landlords though
A big tip is to make sure that you are there when they do the inventory/outmuster - with cleaning products and hammer and nail at the ready. Anything that they say isn't clean you can clean on the spot while they are there. Anything that they say is broken you can fix.
Unfortunately this wasn't possible when I was a student because we had all gone home for the summer.

[jorton]

I'm appalled to see people promoting illegal acts on this site. This is part of a general moral decay an d leads to anarchy.

[Hippy]

Jorton - does that extend to adding hillarious bits to library books?

Watch out for hammers!

[whiskygalore]

If the agency you're dealing with are members of ARLA, they can be reported for unfairly witholding funds. Visit http://www.arla.co.uk for info - alternatively, a visit to your CAB office may be in order.

[William]

Cheers.

Some progress now - a list of what they want to repair/clean/replace but no money yet.

They're listed on the ARLA website, which may come in handy.

[jorton]

Hippy - I don't know what your talking about -I'll have to ask my frind Mr Halliwell