13th
Mar 2016
New research from a law firm says that one in five tenants believe they will not get their deposits back when their tenancy ends.
From those polled, only 41% tenants were given their full deposits and 76% claimed the process was unreasonable.
Of those tenants who did receive their deposits, 72% said that the process was not easy and it was a battle to get their money back from their landlord.
The average tenant security deposit across the UK is £549. Around 70% of landlords who were also involved in the research said that their tenants who were not refunded had damaged the properties costing more to repair than the deposit itself.
Samantha Blackburn, property lawyer of the firm, said: “Security deposit disputes between landlord and tenant are a common problem and something we are seeing our clients experience more and more. If tenants are respectful of the property and leave it in the same condition as when they moved in they can reasonably expect to get their full deposit back.
“We advise tenants to take photos of the property on arrival and keep a detailed inventory throughout your stay – making note of any damage, alerting your landlord to it at the time.
“Landlords should do the same and make sure they what they are charging their tenants is an accurate security deposit to reflect any damage that might occur during the tenancy.”
Blackburn continued: “It is crucial that all tenants read their contract thoroughly before signing – this avoids any surprises or disputes in the future.
“It is also important that landlords are in contact with their tenants and are monitoring the use or damage to the property throughout the tenancy.
“If you are a tenant or landlord who is unsure how to proceed, it is always best to get legal advice from a property specialist.”
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