Over a month ago me and my partner vacated a property we were renting.
We made sure we cleaned the flat very well (I am confident to say it was in better condition than at the time we moved in). Despite that we received an e-mail from the agency claiming that 120 pounds will be deducted from our deposit.
"Clean all skirting’s boards, switches, radiators, sockets and freezer - £50.
Paint kitchen walls due to stains and marks - £70."
I was literally shocked when I saw this. I demanded photo material and explanation. I have to say that the agency was not very responsive (they ignored our e-mails; after approaching the manager, he was very unprofessional, despite the fact that we just approached him to solve the situation asap).
After weeks, we finally got the photo material last week - it is very clear that they wanted by any chance find something to claim money. The photos focus on little pieces of dust, e.g. above the door, behind the radiator, there is also a picture of crumbs on the freezer door which I do not know where was it taken as I completely cleaned the freezer with soap... They also took pictures of places where there was no possible way to clean it (e.g. on the outer side of the french balcony, on the 7th floor!; which was not much cleaner when we moved in). There was no single overall picture that would show how clean the overall flat was. To add, their regular checks of the flat always reported our flat was "immaculate throughout" and the lady on few occasions even thanked us to keep such good care of it. You can imagine my disappointment after receiving the e-mail about deductions.
We agreed that there were some stains on the kitchen wall above the sink, although that wall was stained already when we moved in (it was our mistake not to report that and take any pictures!!! but that was our first renting and we were not expecting all that...). However, we felt it is absolutely too much to pay 70 pounds to paint 3m2 of wall.
We suggested to pay the total of 70 GBP, which in our opinion seems really generous, however, there is no reply from the agency fro almost a week. I am fed up chasing them, as their behaviour and communication is very unprofessional.
I do not know what to do. Shall I open a deposit dispute at the deposit protection service? But will the situation turn in our favour? What are the chances to get at least part of this money (120 pounds) back?
Thanks in advance for your help.
We made sure we cleaned the flat very well (I am confident to say it was in better condition than at the time we moved in). Despite that we received an e-mail from the agency claiming that 120 pounds will be deducted from our deposit.
"Clean all skirting’s boards, switches, radiators, sockets and freezer - £50.
Paint kitchen walls due to stains and marks - £70."
I was literally shocked when I saw this. I demanded photo material and explanation. I have to say that the agency was not very responsive (they ignored our e-mails; after approaching the manager, he was very unprofessional, despite the fact that we just approached him to solve the situation asap).
After weeks, we finally got the photo material last week - it is very clear that they wanted by any chance find something to claim money. The photos focus on little pieces of dust, e.g. above the door, behind the radiator, there is also a picture of crumbs on the freezer door which I do not know where was it taken as I completely cleaned the freezer with soap... They also took pictures of places where there was no possible way to clean it (e.g. on the outer side of the french balcony, on the 7th floor!; which was not much cleaner when we moved in). There was no single overall picture that would show how clean the overall flat was. To add, their regular checks of the flat always reported our flat was "immaculate throughout" and the lady on few occasions even thanked us to keep such good care of it. You can imagine my disappointment after receiving the e-mail about deductions.
We agreed that there were some stains on the kitchen wall above the sink, although that wall was stained already when we moved in (it was our mistake not to report that and take any pictures!!! but that was our first renting and we were not expecting all that...). However, we felt it is absolutely too much to pay 70 pounds to paint 3m2 of wall.
We suggested to pay the total of 70 GBP, which in our opinion seems really generous, however, there is no reply from the agency fro almost a week. I am fed up chasing them, as their behaviour and communication is very unprofessional.
I do not know what to do. Shall I open a deposit dispute at the deposit protection service? But will the situation turn in our favour? What are the chances to get at least part of this money (120 pounds) back?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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