Any suggestions on dealing with a rogue landlord? They are refusing to pay back the full deposit after they signed an exist agreement saying there was no damage to the property
You don’t say on what grounds the LL is refusing to pay back the full deposit or the circumstances- there are various other grounds not just damage.
Google ‘What can a landlord keep from your deposit? Shelter’
You can challenge via the protection scheme (see below)
Ask Shelter or your Citizen advice bureaux
If held/deposited via OR they may be able to help. @mod_harry can tell you what you can do
Good luck
‐—-
To challenge a landlord or agent who is unfairly withholding your tenancy deposit, you must use the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service provided by the government-approved scheme where your deposit is protected.
Steps to Challenge a Withholding
-
Gather Evidence
Collect all relevant documentation, as the burden of proof is on the landlord to justify any deductions. Essential evidence includes:-
A signed copy of your tenancy agreement.
-
The initial inventory and check-in report.
-
Check-out reports and photos/videos from the end of the tenancy.
-
Emails or letters exchanged with your landlord or agent.
-
Receipts for any cleaning or repairs you arranged.
-
-
Contact Your Landlord in Writing
Write to your landlord, challenging the proposed deductions and explaining why you disagree with them. State that you intend to use the dispute resolution service if an agreement cannot be reached. Sending the letter via recorded mail or email provides proof of receipt. -
Raise a Dispute with the Protection Scheme
If direct negotiation fails, or if you do not receive the undisputed portion of your deposit, submit a formal dispute with the relevant tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme. They will assign an independent adjudicator to review the evidence from both parties. The three schemes in England and Wales are:-
Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
-
Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
-
mydeposits
-
—-!
also
If the Deposit Was Not Protected
Landlords are legally required to protect assured shorthold tenancy deposits in one of the approved schemes within 30 days and provide you with prescribed information.
-
You can still apply to the county court to order your landlord to repay the deposit or protect it.
-
The court may order the landlord to pay compensation of up to three times the value of the original deposit for non-compliance.
-
You can get help from Citizens Advice or Shelter England for guidance on this process.
The adjudicator’s decision through the ADR service is generally binding, but both parties retain the right to take the matter to court if they disagree with the outcome.
what deposit scheme is it with?
It’s for a corporate let agreement. The landlord is holding the deposit for council tax after i had told them that council tax is my responsibility and I will pay the council directly
yeah… I’m not sure I understand that. There are four govt approved deposit schemes for thePRS. No idea if corporate is differnt.
@Ric23 you need to check the contract.
Tbh your story doesn’t really add up and sounds suspect - first you mention no damage then unpaid council tax you were responsible for.
If you weren’t paying the council tax and contract says it was your responsibility to pay the relevant bills then you will have been in breach of your contract, which would be one possible reason LL may be trying to withhold part or all of the deposit. (Altho you can be responsible and build up debt and pay to the council after you have left, if you don’t do so they can end up sending bailiffs which is a problem for both LL and any tenants who follow you. LL may be (perhaps wrongly) concerned they may be liable if you didn’t pay
Please explain why council tax still not yet paid if you are at end of tenancy wanting deposit back and why you think that would be ok?
Sorry if there’s something I’ve missed but from your description you may be at fault
Good luck