Landlord trying to rip off deposit with excuses

[newquestion]

Please help, my best friend just had a baby and had to relocate near families

 

After vacating the property and asking landlord for refund of deposit, landlord is finding lots of excuses to grab whole deposit and worse the agency is on the side of the lanlord

 

basically these are the charges

 

eplace smashed centre light fitting

 

Replace/repair pull-switch and refit to ceiling

 

Replace broken toilet seat and flushing mechanism. £80.00

 

· Bedroom Re-decorate £100

 

· Kitchen Replace electric cooker (which was new when tenants moved in) £150.00

 

· Lounge Re-hang electric economy 7 heater £50

 

· Garden Arrange removal of large amounts of rubbish left in garden and outside shed £40

 

· Thorough cleaning of the property £75

 

 

 

Total £495.00

 

 

AND THE DEPOSIT IS £500

 

This flat was rented for less than 2 years by a couple, no kids

 

And the oven was never brand new

 

How can this couple defend themselves

 

 

Please they have been given 24 hours to answer,

 

Any advice welcome

 

Thanks

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Do your friends have inventories from when they moved in and out and did they take photos of the condition of the flat?

 

They could try ringing Shelter if they want rapid advice.

 

Who is saying they have 24 hours to respond?

 

HB

[newquestion]

She did not take any pictures unfortunately

 

No list of inventory also

 

The agency is giving 24 hours to respond , else will take the whole money from their deposit

 

Thanks

[raydetinu]

Was the deposit protected? if not they cannot deduct anything!

if it is then they need to contact the scheme and raise a dispute, which they will look into. ( LL can only claim for what is fair and not include fair wear and tear ).

or she can take LL to court for return of deposit and let a judge deicide what is fair. ( can do tis on line MCOL ).