Returned deposit

[s999srk]

My girlfriend just finished a 12 month short term lease with her sister. From an original deposit cheque of �1,000. The landlord is only giving back �100, claiming in a check out report for lots of cleaning including carpets, scuffs on walls chips on walls, general silly things. I saw the flat when they left and it wasn't as bad as this large sum of money would make you believe.
Anyway we wrote back refusing his cheque, and worked out a sum we feel is fair for the work, meanwhile we know he's recieved it, heard nothing back, and we're now going to go to small claims court with the matter.

This has been a shortened version of events.

Does anyone know if we have a chance of arriving at a more reasonable deposit return.

Thanks for any help

[NORMANTHEDOG]

you should have taken photos etc,etc.

[kev100]

It's not up to you to prove you didn't do damage it's up to him to prove you did.

Call his bluff, go to the small claims court

[JRB]

I believe that you can also ask him for receipts for his expenses involved in cleaning up the flat, paint purchased, carpet cleaning etc. I'm sure that you have copies of any corrspondance. It is not unknown for landlords to retain part of the deposit and just pocket it so he has to prove that he actually spent money on the work.

[s999srk]

Cheers for yor help everyone, we have asked for reciepts before, but nothing sent, he probably has poceted most of it.

[PinkFizz]

I had the same problem a few years ago.I rented a house with my now ex. We kept it immaculate - the owner sent a guy to check up on place every few months and he said how wonderful we had made the place and the garden.We decorated,planted flowers etc. When the lease was up we got a letter back saying the owner refused to return a penny - as he didnt like the colours we had painted the house and we had cut down a dead tree,(which a strog gust of wind would have blown over into our lounge window,)

A very embarassed guy from letting agency who had done all these inspections and praised us refused to back us up and we never got a penny back.

[PinkFizz]

I had the same problem a few years ago.I rented a house with my now ex. We kept it immaculate - the owner sent a guy to check up on place every few months and he said how wonderful we had made the place and the garden.We decorated,planted flowers etc. When the lease was up we got a letter back saying the owner refused to return a penny - as he didnt like the colours we had painted the house and we had cut down a dead tree,(which a strong gust of wind would have blown over into our lounge window,)

A very embarassed guy from letting agency who had done all these inspections and praised us refused to back us up and we never got a penny back.