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Help Unreasonable student Landlord

Ok I think my landlord is trying to con me. I live in a student flat share with 3ppl in total our tenancy was cmng to an end on the 30th one of my friends had left couple days before 30th but said she lives close by and could be bac to doubble check her room before lease expires and one had extended their tenancy .like over a week ago around 23rd June, My landlord without notice came into the flat and without knocking was attempting to come into my room at 9 am without my consent .she swung the door open i couldn’t see who was at the door as I was in bed and the placement made it so I couldn’t see but i loudly asked who was at the door , I didn’t know it was was landlord at the time and I was half asleep cuz it was 9am , she asked me who I was and wen I identified myself she still didn’t tell me who she was I told her pls do not to come in then cuz she wouldn’t tell me who she was . Me and my housemate then heard the door shut and her her leave I checked my emails and there was nothing about a visit or viewing . She called like an hour later and asked me to come downstairs to ANOTHER FLAT I came down and she said I’m sorry I don’t know why I did that and she talked me for a whole hour about her life . She then asked me what day I planned to leave so she could collect the keys. I told her the lease expires on the 30th so I had the whole day on the 30th but i should be gone on the 30th in the evening around 4pm . She said ok no worries she lives close by . I was quite paranoid about someone coming into my room after that.

On the 30th everything was p much sorted I had cleaned out my room well andI just had the bins to do in the kitchen . I planned to take a shower and leave for 4. Around 8:30am I got a text from my landlord for a bedroom inspection round 11am and it would take 5 mins . I had made plans to see my friends for the last time around that time so I told her I would not be in but the bedroom door was unlocked she was welcome to come in for the bedroom inspection and that I would complete the remaining parts by 4pm. 20 mins later I get bombarded with calls and msgs telling me to come and clean the kitchen and how dirty it was ( all that was left to do was take the bins out which I was going to do ) She was really rood to me on the phone and I felt quite threatened she then said she had a viewing at 4pm and the kitchen was too dirty I told her I’d get it done I still had 5 hours plus we were given no notice no email or attempt at telling me and this is first im hearing about this she LIED and said she told me this when we spoke in person I told her she did not tell me . I checked with my other housemate whether she was told about a viewing and she was not informed either. I went with a friend after her rood call and found she had taken apart the oven and dumped all the trays and oven rack into the sink as they had crumbs and some stains on them . ALL THE OVEN items did not belong to me but belonged to another tennant who had extended their stay at the property and was still living there I’ve never used the oven due to dietary issues. I did the bins and put the oven stuff back and left quickly as I was quite scared I should have taken pictures of the property but took only picture of my room as I felt so rushed . The landlord was not there but she was in the building . I went back tho as I had to return the keys to her . She took me to the kitchen and complained about the oven again I told her due to dietary restrictions I never use the oven and all the items in the oven belonged to Tennant still living here who had extended their stay. She then went to the bathroom and pointed at bin which had some empty loo rolls in it and that there was dust in the bathtub and said she would take half my deposit for this . She then said that someone was actually coming to MOVE IN at 4pm . I was so shocked as legally my lease was still valid and again we were not given any notice. What if my train got delayed and i had to hand my keys like an hour later . She said they planned to move in in February, she’s lying tho as we had been getting viewings in May. Idk why she’s acting like this .

I’m really scared she’s going to try take my deposit , can I complain and appeal this ? I didn’t take pictures of the kitchen or bathroom only my bedroom because she had practically rushed me out although I have a partial picture of the kitchen when she dumped the oven stuff which shows clean counters, floor,sink and washboard . The entire day was ruined I couldn’t go back to flat as she was roaming the building and made me very uncomfortable. I still legally had the the whole of the 30th to stay at the property.
Anyway I haven’t received my deposit back but does my landlord have grounds to take my deposit and what evidence does she have to show, can I appeal /complain?

Any advice appreciated

Reply 1

HoldThisL

deposits are generally (as required by law) held or insured by a third party, and the landlord can only make a claim against your deposit once the tenancy is over by raising it with the authority that has your deposit

do you know which company is responsible for your deposit? its one of these https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

if the landlord has photos of your flat before and after your tenancy showing you left it unclean/damaged, they will likely be able to make a claim for cleaning/repairs costs. you get a chance to rebut their claims, but you need evidence that the flat was already in that condition

if your landlord didn't use one of the above schemes to protect your deposit, your only option would be to discuss with them to negotiate lower charges, or sue them in a small claims court to get the money back

using one of the schemes is a legal requirement of tenancies, so if you landlord says they didn't use one you can report them https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/if-your-landlord-doesnt-protect-your-deposit

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