Deposit

Tenancy Deposits

Hello,

My tenant left without a notice, just dropped the keys with the estate agent after taking all his belongings from the property and not left a forwarding address so probably we will never hear from him again. He has not paid rent for the last three months, also there is a serious mess left behind and I was counting on the deposit to help me fix just some of it, as it was caused by him despite all warnings about his actions and negligence throughout the tenancy. The deposit held at the time is total of two months rent and held in a protected scheme.

My question is, is it better to carry out exit inventory report, pay for it again (I paid for the first one at the start)? and should I claim the damages from the deposit? because this is the advise I am given so far, to deduct the damages, instead of claiming the rent from the deposit. This idea makes sense, but I want to be sure and trust it is the right thing to do before going ahead with it?

Would this be the wiser thing to do? or probably no difference at all.. please advise.