LA refuses to refund deposit until proof of paid water bill

[cfs_too]

Hi,

I've been issued with a valid s21, the letting agent has now sent a follow up letter which states that any deposit will not be returned until I have proof I have paid the water bill up to date.

Obviously I will inform water company of reading on checkout day, (and of course pay when a bill is calculated) but I feel it is wrong for letting agent to withhold deposit until I provide proof bill is paid. This could take many weeks!

 

Is this standard?

It doesn't specify this in my tenancy, this is the first I've heard of it.

Of course I'll pay outstanding utilities, but I'm sure the water company won't send somebody to read my meter when I request, nor will they produce a bill immediately.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks

Me_too

[f16]

I would think this is "normal", IMO

[stu007]

Firstly is your Deposit protected? https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

 

Do you pay water rates separately to the utility provider?

[cfs_too]

Hi,

Thank you for prompt response.

Yes deposit is protected. I pay all bills (gas/elec/water) direct in my name to the utility companies.

My concern is that it could take weeks to receive a bill, and upon payment then weeks again for confirmation.

Thanks

[cfs_too]

I would think this is "normal", IMO

 

 

 

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, I'm a bit naive here, please can you explain a little more why this is normal? Has something changed recently? This hasn't happened before.

Thanks

[stu007]

Hi

 

I know you say the deposit is protected have you actually confirmed this with the relevant tenancy deposit scheme?

 

If possible could you type just the clause only that refers to the water rates from your tenancy agreement here verbatim (minus any identifying details)?

[The Carpet Cleaners]

If the bills are in your name, then it is absolutely nothing to do with the letting agent.

On the day you leave, apply yourself to the scheme that your deposit is protected in, and request a full return. Do it yourself as it is your money, and not the letting agents nor the LL's. Once you have submitted your request, the LL has a certain amount of time to dispute any damages etc, and proof of paying a bill in your name is not a reasonable reason to withhold deposit.

[mariner51]

Do you pay for metered water or pay water rate monthly or half yearly?

IMO it is 'normal' LA practice to avoid future disputes once deposit returned.

Most utilities will provide a moving customer with a statement of account, usually within a few days of request.

Date of request is moving date and transfer accounts to LLs name from that date.

Metered Water bills contain 3 separate standing charges calculated on a daily rate, in addition to metered volume of water used.

If utility bills are in your name, LA is being officious, but you may want a good ref from them/LL for future rentals. Also LL expecting to pay a bill in Ts name is sufficient grounds to raise a dispute and delay payment of contested amount for several weeks, until resolved.