[Marta123]

I am leaving my flat very soon, and would like to find out the process of leaving?

I rent through an agency but the landlord compiled the inventory and I made some comments. I am assuming the landlord will be checking this inventory with me.

How can the inventory be checked?

Is it on the day I leave?

After the landlord and I checked the flat that day, does he has to sign any document saying inventory checked and saying that all my deposit will be paid? (to make sure that he doesn’t “remember” to check something else afterwards and then find out "something is broken" for example?

What is tear and wear?

The contract mentioned “carpet 3 years old and clean” (which I added “scuff marks” – that he “forgot” to mentioned at the time). Do I have to clean the carpets professionally? Do I have to wash them or just vacuum them very well?

Please let me know. Many thanks in advance.

Marty

[Bluey]

Ask your landlord his intentions regarding the check-out, walk through of the inventory, return of keys and return of deposit.

You may find the Shelter advice website has information on this.

The definition of wear and tear is something like 'reasonable use of the premises by the tenant and the ordinary operation of natural forces (i.e. a passage of time.' or ''natural deterioration under normal usage' . This means, for example, that a carpet will wear out after a number of years of use but the tenant is responsible for any stains that they cause.

What does your contract say about professional cleaning (which I am not sure is legally enforceable or not). Basically, you should be handing it back in as clean and tidy a condition as when received.

[Marta123]

Thank you Bluey.

But, is there a paper that the landlord signs after both of us check the house and agree with deposit, saying that I am entitled to full/partial deposit or something as saying "no damages to the house during Marty's tenancy period"...?

How do I know that he sudenly increase the damage after we both agree verbally? (Just wanted to be in control of the situation of something happens.

Nowadays there are pretty bad experiences everywhere (I had this already and it was pretty bad, stuff destroyed and it was not my fault, etc etc...)

Thanks
Marty

[Bluey]

I've never seen an inventory done. Perhaps other people who have been through this process can enlighten you?

My understanding is that the landlord should go through the original inventory that the tenant signed and determine if any of the differences have been caused by the tenant or is just due to general wear and tear, that it happens after the tenant has moved out or as they are handing over the key to leave and that the tenant does not have to be present. A landlord is supposed to justify their deduction.

If the contract was signed after 06 April 2007, it should have been protected in a tenancy deposit scheme and you should have been notified within 14 days which scheme it was in. They have an arbitration service where there is a dispute. Does this apply to you and did the landlord protect the deposit?

Also, in the event that you wish to take the landlord to court, you will need to know his residential address to make a court claim - do you know where he lives?



http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm