Deposit deductions 'caused by cleaning and unpaid rent'

Posted: 16 Aug 2011 16:07:34 GMT

People are having their deposit money withheld because the property needs to be cleaned when they leave, it has been found.

The main reasons for tenants having their deposit money withheld when they leave a property are unpaid rent and cleaning costs, new research has shown.

Carried out by mydeposits, the study - which surveyed landlords and agents - found 78 per cent of those questioned claimed paying for cleaning was the primary reason they sometimes did not refund the cash.

The other major factor was that some tenants failed to settle their rental arrears, while others caused damage to property, carpets and furniture.

Eddie Hooker, chief executive officer at mydeposits - which was appointed by the government to operate a tenancy deposit scheme in 2006 - said: "Tenants can avoid having any of the deposit withheld by ensuring the property is clean, any damage is repaired and the rent is paid up to the day they move."

He added general wear and tear should be factored in by proprietors whenever they carry out assessments of the dwellings.
 

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