One in five tenants expects to never see their money again after they have handed over their deposit to their landlord, new research shows. According to law firm Slater and Gordon, just 41% of tenants received their full deposit back, while 76% said they thought the process was unfair. Nearly three quarters (72%) felt they […]
One in five tenants expects to never see their money again after they have handed over their deposit to their landlord, new research shows.
According to law firm Slater and Gordon, just 41% of tenants received their full deposit back, while 76% said they thought the process was unfair.
Nearly three quarters (72%) felt they had to fight their landlord to get the deposit back they were owed.
Four in 10 didn’t get anything back when leaving the property, with the average UK tenant paying their landlord a security deposit of £549.
However, seven in 10 landlords say that their tenants have caused more damage than their security deposit can cover.
The most common reasons landlords and letting agencies gave for refusing to hand back a deposit were stains on the carpet (58%), chipped paint and damaged wall paper (54%), broken or damaged furniture (45%) and broken or damaged windows (31%).
Samantha Blackburn, property lawyer from Slater and Gordon, said: “Security deposit disputes between landlord and tenant are a common problem and something we are seeing our clients experience more and more. If tenants are respectful of the property and leave it in the same condition as when they moved in they can reasonably expect to get their full deposit back.
“We advise tenants to take photos of the property on arrival and keep a detailed inventory throughout your stay – making note of any damage, alerting your landlord to it at the time.
“Landlords should do the same and make sure they what they are charging their tenants is an accurate security deposit to reflect any damage that might occur during the tenancy.”
This issue is part of a larger ongoing problem between landlords and tenants and how they go about the letting process.
The survey found that total of 18% of respondents said they never even bothered to read the contract before signing it.
More than seven in 10 landlords said they have fallen out with their tenant over money related matters.
Almost half said they fell out with tenants over money regarding cleaning bills (48%), replacing broken or damaged goods in the property (48%), breaking fixtures (46%), or subletting (14%).
However, landlords admitted to rarely liaising with their tenants, with 24% saying they only spoke to their tenants once every three months.
Blackburn said: “It is crucial that all tenants read their contract thoroughly before signing – this avoids any surprises or disputes in the future.
“It is also important that landlords are in contact with their tenants and are monitoring the use or damage to the property throughout the tenancy.
“If you are a tenant or landlord who is unsure how to proceed, it is always best to get legal advice from a property specialist.”
What, landlords should visit their tenants more than once every 3 months?! I fail to see how that can constitute allowing peaceful enjoyment of their home.
I would have been more than happy with a visit every three months. Keeping a property in a livable condition is not just down to the landlord or tenant it is a partnership. At the end of the day a landlord has made an investment in a property and just because someone else is living in that property I do not believe it gives them the right to run it down. I would have been more than happy to work along side my landlord.
Hello
Please after how many years should the landlord repaint the house.
Advise me on the issue
Regards
Completely agree with you Joss, I have just left a property where we had 3 monthly “visits” checks! And guess what their trying to my £600 pound deposit for cleaning and any other tiny little thing! In my opinion I have left the property in better condition than when I moved in. I will challenge them to the end!
I had signed a 6 months agreement but was a decent tenant so stayed for 6.5 years. My landlord decided to sell the block I lived in and told me not to worry about refurbishing the property as he was getting his maintenance team to do the block, he has withheld my deposit on the grounds that I left the property in an inhabitable state and is charging me for painting the walls and new carpets. He received over £700 as a deposit. I am still battling to get back my deposit 9 months later.
Landlords/estate agents put down cream carpet everywhere knowing that the tenant won’t be able yo keep it clean and they charge you more than the carpet is worth.
It’s a scam, granted there are some people who trash the property but not everyone and most is generally wear and tear.
My landlord visits me regularly aswell as the estate agent doing there 3-6 monthly checks and the house still has the problems the landlord and estate agent know about and still haven’t been fixed…