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This week we’re looking at all things landlord / tenant fees. From holding fees, deposit fees and end of tenancy fees, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the different fees you’re able to charge your tenants, and the legislation that’s changing everything. You’ll be an expert by the end of this week!
Let’s get things moving with this incredible light bulb story.
When a tenant moved into a property, their deposit is supposed to be placed in a government approved deposit protection scheme. When the tenancy ends, the landlord or letting agent checks the property for damage and any other issues. If they find something, they can deduct the cost of sorting it out from the tenant’s deposit. Not surprisingly, there are sometimes disputes about money withheld.
Money Deducted from a Deposit
One landlord in Scotland had the audacity to deduct a whopping £100 to replace ONE lightbulb, and a further £50 to clean the same lightbulb. He also claimed a further £100 to remove some coats from a locked room, a process that the tenants worked out would have taken him no more than 15 seconds. With other “costs”, the money deducted from the deposit came to £390.
The Resolution of the Dispute
Impressed? Well, you should be. The tenants were furious, not least because they had to go through the process of appealing his claim and then submitting counter evidence. Even the letting agent was allegedly embarrassed to tell them the landlord was making such a spurious claim.
After challenging the claim, the tenants had a more reasonable £85 deducted from their deposit, which included the cost of replacing a window handle, replacing a light bulb, and cleaning a cooker hood.
Landlords should take note that deducting ridiculous sums of money from a tenant’s deposit for ridiculous reasons is unlikely to fly. Most clued-up tenants will fight you on this – and win.
