Tenancy ending - when does deposit need to be handed back
Tenancy Deposits

peuta
peuta
6 Thanks
52 Posts
10 years ago
0
How long before you have to hand the deposit back to a tenant - how long do I have to raise any damage issues etc, so I can keep some of the deposit to rectify any problems etc.

I have a property I have agents managing. The current tenants move out tomorrow and property is being inspected.

When the last tenants moved out end September/beginning October last year. I received from the Agents the inventory check out form with some minor things that had to be fixed and were a landlords responsibility - it all seemed fine.

However I visited the property in November(I reside overseas) - the agents had not returned the deposit, and I found there to be a lot of damage to items in the property that someone who was with me at the time and does not know the property saw immediately. Cannot believe the agents missed it - and their excuse was the tenant distracted them.... Who is the professional here???

I told the Agents to put a hold on the deposit. After much arguing back and forth, the tenant claimed the agent had passed the date for handing back the deposit and therefore they should have it all refunded to them in full. I stuck to my guns and argued, the damage is in clear view, and the they should have notified the agent of any breakages etc, they broke numerous sections of their agreement

To cut a very long story short, although we came to an agreement, where we were still out of pocket, but not as much as we would have been, I recall something about the deadline to hand back the deposit within 10 days - or is it we have to raise any issues within 10 days.

can someone advise - would rather not be in the same position again!

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