No lawn mower and entering the property while I am away?
I live in a rented property with my two sons. It has a massive garden and we do not have a lawn mower to cut the grass with. The landlord has had us living here with a no working shower from August to December, when I started to ask for compensation.
The house was in an appalling condition, the electrics didn’t work etc. Once as we were away he visited the property without letting me know at all. I know he was there for traces of hair he left as he made use of the toilet.
He is well famous for wanting to keep the tenants deposits. I am moving out of this property as is too overpriced within this area and for what it is.
What do you recommend I do in order to make sure I get my deposit back?
I haven’t damage anything in the house.
Please any tips will help
Mary
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Comments: 297 - Articles: 1
1:50 PM, 29th June 2016, About 10 years ago
I suggest you take legal advice before you give notice. It sounds as if the landlord may be in the wrong in a number of ways.
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 1130 - Articles: 2
2:07 PM, 29th June 2016, About 10 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Jerry Jones” at “29/06/2016 – 13:50“:
Hi Mary
Take photos, get witnesses. You should know exactly which of the 3 schemes your deposit has been lodged with, and the onus is on the landlord to prove the tenant damaged the property, not the other around. Unless the landlord can prove you neglected or damaged the property, that money remains your property.
If your landlord (or his agent) did not serve prescribed information of the deposit protection on you within 30 days of you paying it, you could sue the landlord for 3 times the deposit (the landlord is liable, even if an agent was used).
As Jerry says, seek legal advice.
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 67
2:51 PM, 29th June 2016, About 10 years ago
My advice is to keep a log of correspondence, pictures of the property etc.
From a landlords point of view I would be concerned that you took on a property with a big garden, when you knew you would not be able to maintain it because you didn’t have a lawnmower. Be aware that your landlord may charge you if he has to pay someone to restore the garden to its previous condition.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12209 - Articles: 1408
4:27 PM, 29th June 2016, About 10 years ago
Hi Mary
Why did you chose to rent this particular property? Surely you knew about the problems?
Why haven’t you purchased a lawnmower?
If he’s so famous for retaining deposits why did you rent from him?
Have you consididered cutting the grass? If not, he’s got a good reason to charge that to your deposit at least!
I don’t think we are getting the full story here. In fact, I’d go as far as to say I think this is a spoof Enquiry.
.
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 129
10:44 AM, 30th June 2016, About 10 years ago
I couldn’t agree more with Mark.
The comment that clinched it for me was “I am moving out of this property as is too overpriced within this area and for what it is”
Quite honestly if this was case why on earth did you rent it in the first place or was it one of those lucky dip rental agencies, oh hang on there’s no such thing.
I do like the fact that you did a forensic sweep of the toilet after your holiday very diligent.
Member Since July 2015 - Comments: 344
1:28 PM, 2nd July 2016, About 10 years ago
You are entirely within your rights to change the locks if you think that the landlord has been in without your permission. Just keep the old ones as they ate his property.
The lawn really is your responsibility. You should not have rented out if you were not going to maintain the garden. A basic lawnmower will be £50 or so, so no excuses.
If you leave a big overgrown jungle at the end, it could be over a day’s work and that will cost several hundred pounds at least.