How to get my deposit back?

santa · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 36

Hi All,

I will be moving out of my property in 2 months time. I feel a bit worried about my deposit after reading all these posts on gumtree about landlords not returning deposits.

I don't really have any problems with my landlord, I pay him every month by cheque, I only met him once when I moved in.

Do you have any tips or advice on how to move out without losing your deposit?

Or how to detect a dodgy landlord who is trying to make excuses for not giving back your deposit?

I am leaving the country but I don't want to tell him that. He might then find some reasons for not giving me a deposit back.

Thanks for any advice!

Pennant The Tenant · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 425

eve · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

why dont you use your deposit insted paying rent...just tell landlord that will be moving out and so from now you not going to pay until you use your deposit ..pople ususaly do like that

Pennant The Tenant · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 425

markkerr · Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 6

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 4636

The Gumtree has loads of postings from tenants being exploited by unscrupulous landlords but it also has just many from tenants who are clearly breaching their tenancy agreement by sub-letting or flitting without giving notice.

There are mechanisms in place to get legal redress, so why encourage someone who is anticipating problems to breach their contract? I appreciate it's more complicate if you move abroad but you could check whether you have to be present in the small claims court or can submit the evidence by post if negotiations with the Landlord breakdown.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-3007.cfm#wipLive-9002-4

A deposit doesn't operate as the final month's rent but as a device to encourage tenants to return the property undamaged.

What might happen if this Landlord gets ripped off is that they will increase the deposit payable from the next tenant or avoid letting their properties to non UK passport holders who are harder to track down for debts incurred.

Then we can all enjoy postings on the Gumtree from people whining about how private Landlords have started to request deposits that are greater than a month's rent, just like agencies who are already wise to this tactic, or that Landlords are increasingly avoiding letting their properties to foreign passport holders.