More than half of disputes about the return of tenancy deposits during the last year resulted from property damage and cleaning according to figures from the Deposit Protection Service.
The league table for disputes consisted of:
- Property content damage - 27.3 per cent of disputes;
- Cleaning - 26.64 per cent;
- Redecoration - 11.77 per cent;
- Rent arrears - 8.19 per cent;
- Missing items - 5.34 per cent;
- Gardening problems - 4.94 per cent;
- Utilities/bills - 1.28 per cent;
- Other - 14.55 per cent.
DPS managing director Matt Trevett says: “By not cleaning – for example leaving the build-up of grease or grime in an oven to the point where a professional cleaner cannot rectify it – tenants run the risk of damage for which they are then liable, depending on the obligations set out in their tenancy agreement.
“To avoid disagreements and ensure a swift conclusion to the tenancy, we always recommend that landlords communicate clearly with tenants about their responsibilities to the property and that tenants abide by the obligations set out in their tenancy agreements.
“Less than three per cent of our deposits fall into dispute, and we work hard to ensure there is a wealth of information online to help landlords avoid or deal with a dispute when it arises.”
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The biggest cause of Deposit Disputes are the Deposit Schemes themselves we didn’t used to have those problems prior to the introduction of those Schemes in 2007 based on a pack of lies by a major charity.
Biggest problem with DPS is that they have a set of rules around wear and tear. I had a tenant who’s cat scrabbled the stair carpet. I own a block of 5 houses of which this was one and they were all refurbed at the same time, all the other carpets were fine, but because they were 8 years old the DPS said it was fair wear and tear. What if you have a £50/m2 Axminster carpet that would ordinarily last 50 years? It’s not a fair system but neither is the landlord holding the deposit because so many took advantage at the end of the tenancy and kept deposits for dubious reasons. DPS needs to be more flexible beyond a set of rules!
I'd love to know why the DPS think a carpet should only last 5 years. Who decided on this stupid rule? All they do is encourage landlords to put in crap at £7/sqm and I really don't want to go down that route.
Which ever of the 3 Deposit Scheme's you use its a nightmare and unworkable for most part, expensive and time consuming for the LL’s but the cost of our time is considered zero and not allowed to have payment for it by law try that on any other business.
I don’t take Deposits in over 90% of let’s because it’s not a protection anymore but a legal liability. As long as it damages the LL’s it’s fine, potentially give them back 4 deposits instead of the one you received, also if you don’t get it right it barres you from using S21 etc.
Prior to the introduction of the Deposit schemes in 2007 Shelter alleged up to 45% of Deposits were withheld by LL it later turned out less than 2% went to Deposits Resolution so this is the basis of our legal frame work. Before the schemes we had their Deposit and virtually always got it back and got the property back in good condition because they knew we could stop from it and wanted their money back, now they are not concerned no need to comply.
Now they want a similar scheme for other issues and rents arrears just more expense and time wasting with piggy in the middle again. Enjoy the recession you caused.
It's all part of the Great Reset 2030 WEF you'll be happy and own nothing. All part of the global plan. Watch it unfold. No political party opposition. Just one large circus show.
The world is being run by maggots
The Deposit scheme keeps adding more terms & conditions, more rules unjustified requirements and information that I cannot answer the screen goes red. What was their last address I don’t know what is their forwarding address they don’t tell me. Try Eastern Europe but they had the up to date Right 2 Rent paper work reference number. They will only deal with the lead Tenant which was ok only he gave deposit gave them his details should be enough, but no any other occupant yes what’s her details but she’s not involved in the deposit anyway gave her name what’s her phone number ok now they have their 2 phone number now what’s the email address ok still not enough, what is the annual rent but they are only staying 6 months, so shove it, its not their property all this agro for a ponzi deposit scheme.
So called redress scheme coming in a similar vain, They have learned Its a nice little earned from some one else for nothing.
Work the deposit into the rent, means the tenant pays more and gets nothing back, the loser, the tenant
Andrew, the problem is as my rents are well below the market rents.
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