Yet another 'Disputed Deposit Deduction'

[Trixibelle]

I moved out of a privately rented property just over 6 weeks ago and only received my deposit back today. To be precise, I have received my deposit minus over £300 !! After over a month of the letting agent not returning my calls as he was always 'out of the office', 'with someone', or 'will call you back in 15 minutes' I got a solicitor to send a letter to both the agent and the landlord. The only correspondence I have received from the letting agent is a letter informing me that deductions of £308 had been made for 'cleaning of the house' and 'cleaning of carpets'. I am disputing this because, on the day of moving one of the agents inspected the property and, when asked, did not say the house was not up to standard in any way or was not clean enough. The carpets had been shampooed the previous week and the house was thoroughly cleaned on the day of moving after everything had been moved out. I have witnesses who can vouch for this. The agent himself had even walked over freshly mopped floors (much to his amusement).

Maybe I'm cynical but, surely anyone can get a company they use regularly to state the x or y was filthy, especially if it means they get work out of it. Do I have a chance of getting my £300+ back if it goes to the small claims court?

Thanks in advance.

[MrShed]

When did you move in? Was there an inventory signed?

[Trixibelle]

I moved in Jan '06, so unfortunately not covered by Tenancy Deposit Protection. Yes I did sign an inventory. It will also prove that I redecorated at my own expense.