Illegal inventory fee?
Question
I sent my landlord a letter a month before our contract was due to end to tell him I would be moving out.
He's now gone on holiday and as he won't be back at the time we move, he's charging £25 for an estate agent to do the inventory. Is this charge legal?
Answer
You need to check your tenancy agreement to find out if it mentions paying for costs such as getting an estate agent to do the inventory. If you need help with checking your agreement you can contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), they may be able to explain what rights you have.
If you've ended your tenancy correctly, and your agreement doesn't mention paying to have the inventory done then your landlord shouldn't charge you. Your landlord can charge you if you've damaged the property or they've lost out financially because of your actions. If they can show that they have suffered a financial loss they may be able to deduct money from your deposit.
If you're worried about getting your deposit back, there may be action you can take. It may help you to approach a local advice service, like a CAB or Housing Aid Centre before you decide what to do next.
Updated: 22/09/2008
Question answered by Shelter
