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Post check out report photos. Can I use them to keep some of the deposit?

Started by Tt0, May 29, 2021, 04:50:30 PM

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Tt0

Hi. The check out report was conducted with the tenant present and found no major issues. I went to the property after this and found some issues myself - greasy oven and burnt carpet and a couple of small broken things. I have photos of the things I found which are not on the check out report. I want to withhold some of the deposit. The tenant disagrees and is saying that if it is not on the checkout report I can't add it now. If this goes to dispute, how will this be judged?
Thanks.

Hippogriff

Did you do the Checkout?

The Checkout is the time for it, right? Otherwise, it could be infinite?

Tt0

Hi. I didn't do the check out report myself. An independent company did it. They didn't pick up on what I think the issues are. I went to the property myself afterwards and found extra issues. These include not cleaning deeply, a burn on the carpet and a couple of broken things. I took pictures of them and sent them to the agent. The tenant is not accepting these things and is saying I can't add things after the check out. 

Hippogriff

I agree with the Tenant. Your beef is with the company.

You can't get numerous bites at the cherry. You employed this company. They acted for you. The Check-Out was done at a moment in time. You cannot then get a second set of eyes, after the process is supposed to be done-and-dusted... or a third set, a fourth? The same day, but later... the following day... the week after... in another month. The point of a Check-Out is exactly what everyone thinks it is.

I am not saying you 100% wouldn't be successful, if the right evidence was provided and accepted, but I am saying it sounds like it would be, reasonably, challenged, quite easy to refute and the whole approach is morally dubious. Maybe consider it to be a lesson learned? Don't delegate to Others... they'll only do it wrong?

heavykarma

They must be a lousy company.Everyone knows the oven usually gets left in a state. I really don't think you have a reasonable  case to argue.I do my own checkouts,and have often missed things,but I accept it is my own fault for being a bit too soft with some tenants.

Inspector

I am an inventory clerk and have worked on deposits in previous jobs.

Ultimately trying to prove this after the checkout date is very difficult and the dispute will likely take your findings as biased.

You hired the inventory clerk so your disagreement is with them as a customer service issue.

diana2234

I think its irrelevant anyway.

My tenant moved out after having trashed my house. Dog poo everywhere. Ruined the carpets and the flooring. They broke all my brand new window blinds. Pulled my door off the hinges. Stubbed out cigarettes on my window ledges. Put glue on my windows. I had to replace all the flooring and the kitchen ( it was brand new 4 years ago when the tenant move. The sinks were clocked with false finger nails etc etc. It has cost me £2200 to repair and replace. My tenant offered me £300 from the deposit to cover the damage. I went for the full £625. Just heard back from the deposit scheme.who are siding with the tenant. They are saying that after 4 years of renting it is considered fair wear and tear!

So its not worth the bother of taking it any further as you won't get anything