Forum Topic

Foxtons management

We left a house managed by Foxtons five months ago.We were informed yesterday (yes, five months later) that we had to pay for a new shower pump in the house and this was yet another reason that our deposit could not be returned. One of the original deductions was for the replacing of light bulbs in the house, and the cost for this was £223.26, yes £223.26.We are now going to court over this, as this behaviour to me seems tantamount to theft. We have been shown no invoices or estimates at all.Does anyone have any similar experience or advice about the best way to proceedIncidentally we rented through Fletchers before and received our full deposit within two weeks of leaving the house.

Linda Naylor ● 7165d6 Comments

A landlord can offset a flat rate of 10% of income to cover wear and tear and tear on furnished property to rather than claim everything back using receipts - but this doesn't affect your deposit not being returned.regarding the lightbulbs - contracts often requires the tenant to replace lightbulbs and fuses - however i defy anyone to argue that £223.26 is a remotely reasonable amount to pay for replacing a couple of lightbulbs - I say a couple as I doubt you lived in the dark :-)Unless you broke the shower pump by vandalising it, its not your responsibility to fix-it anymore than it would be to fix a boiler that packed up.regardsCharlie (not that I'm a lawyer)

Charlie Blackham ● 7164d

Sorry, I don't know!  I looked up Which? To see if they had any advice and could only find information about what is claimable against tax, when you rent out a property.  There is a standard amount for wear and tear deductible against the tax but it talks about furnished rentals, not unfurnished.  Does anyone know if there is a difference?

Sarah Felstead ● 7165d

The property was unfurnished. Would this make a difference?

Linda Naylor ● 7165d

Was the rental a fully furnshed or unfurnished property?

Sarah Felstead ● 7165d

Well they really are taking the mickey, aren't they!  I read somewhere that you are entitled to the interest on the deposit for the time they have held the money - if that is the case, have they pinched that too?Good luck Linda, let us know how you get on!

Sarah Felstead ● 7165d

That is disgusting!! £226 for Light bulbs!! So either you have light bulbs made of gold or you have approx 380 rooms in your house that needed new light bulbs? I guess what they will probably tell you is that they had to hire a qualified electrician to come in to perform this dangerous and difficult job.Good for you for taking it further. I certainly would!

Kim Littlewood ● 7165d