UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi Other Landlords,

I'm quite new at managing my own property, so if you can give me some input on my query I would be most grateful.
My lease with tenant has ended and they have moved out. I have given them a statement of dilapidations to claim from their deposit at DPS. In return they have emailed me to say they are making a 'counter claim' against me as they had problems with their heating for a period of time.

Question 1 - Can they make any claim against me AFTER the lease term has now ended? They did not make this claim of damages while at the property.

Question 2 - Can their counter claim be some how used by DPS to reduce or invalidate my claim of dilapidations. I have a proper Short-term Assured Lease from an agent , and also had a very detailed independent Inventory Check in and Check out done.

Question 3 - What are my rights and obligations as a landlord under a lease agreement that has now expired?

Thank you