Our latest research suggests that almost half of UK tenants have had disputes with their landlord because of property maintenance during their tenancy.
This becomes a serious issue at the end of your agreed tenancy period when you seek to claim back your much needed deposit (Which we hope is safe in a deposit protection scheme).
The deposit is an amount of money, usually between 4-8 weeks rent, paid up front to the landlord before moving into your new place. The money is then insured and protected in a deposit protection scheme by your landlord until the end of your tenancy (the law requires it to be). The deposit is your money by law and providing that you meet the terms of your tenancy agreement, you should get it back at the end of the tenancy. However, if you break these terms (for example inflicting any damage upon the property) then the landlord can use the deposit to cover the costs.
Tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme mydeposits state that only 2% of deposits have to proceed to a formal dispute. However 42% of these cases are related to property maintenance:
In all cases some property wear and tear will take place:
Landlords can’t make claims for deductions to the deposit if it is because of wear and tear. However they can for actual property damage as long as they have evidence to back up their claim.
So what’s the difference between fair wear and tear and property damage and when should deductions be made from the tenant’s deposit? Besides don’t landlords get wear and tear allowance?
This great video from mydeposits has all the answers: Fair wear and tear explained
