What can my landlord do?

[Paddy]

It does in my head

Well stop doing it and get another job

[SueEllen]

As far as I can tell, most landlords treat the deposit as an end of tenancy bonus. Unless an agent is involved, you're unlikely to get it back IMO.

I've found the opposite - when agents are involved they try their damn hardest for you not to get it.

Landlords try but many don't know the tricks of these sharks.

[d000hg]

Deposits should always be held by the DPS. If it isn't, you're dealing with a dodgy agent/landlord in the first place.

Are you dealing direct with the landlord or through an agent?

[scooby]

Deposits should always be held by the DPS. If it isn't, you're dealing with a dodgy agent/landlord in the first place.

Are you dealing direct with the landlord or through an agent?

Direct and the deposit is in DPS!

[Old Hack]

I let out, and in the T&C's they signed, was the right to persue them in court for damages over and above the deposit, including my loss of earnings. I'd wait until it built up to be just under the Small Claims limit, and take them to court everytime. I am a decent landlord, and have had the same tenant in one house, for 3 years with no issues, and only 2 visits. If one of my tenants got mardy, I'd just pass it off to the solicitors. Bang to rights. I'd also, should they refuse to pay, get a CCJ and Bailifs involved. It's a contract, and if it's been fair and equitable, then I don't see how you can justify not paying rent. I'd make sure I got a week off work paid if they tried to dick me about.

[minsky1]

Your deposit is in a protection scheme, therefore your not going to lose that if everything is above board when you leave. He cant withhold it for no good reason.

However, should you not pay up the last months rent, your opening up the flood gates of hell.

a) He will dig his heels in with repaying the deposit himself (if protected under the insurance scheme), or make it difficult if he's using the custodial scheme.... and he will probably nit pick on any problems which he wold normally overlook.
b) He will probably sue you for the last months deposit anyway.

Everything is stacked in his favour unfortunately.

A far better course of action would be to pay the final rent, then trash the place getting your money's worth out of the deposit. Also consider smearing cat poo over the kitchen cupboard door handles. I did find that quite amusing when a tenant did that to me. Made a welcome change to having the police round there kicking the back door in as she got involved in a few domestics with her boyfriend....

[scooby]

A far better course of action would be to pay the final rent, then trash the place getting your money's worth out of the deposit. Also consider smearing cat poo over the kitchen cupboard door handles. I did find that quite amusing when a tenant did that to me. Made a welcome change to having the police round there kicking the back door in as she got involved in a few domestics with her boyfriend....

Jesus, that is definitely not my style!!!

[Platypus]

including my loss of earnings

You'd be lucky, I expect.

I am a decent landlord

Many are not.

it's a contract, and if it's been fair and equitable, then I don't see how you can justify not paying rent

Here's the thing. If your deposit is in a scheme then you have, it seems, good protection:
www.adviceguide.org.uk/h_tenancy_deposits.pdf

But it was unreasonable landlords unfairly keeping deposits which led to the protection deposit schemes being introduced.

Having read the PDF, I'm going to change my earlier advice on this. Play a straight bat and pay the rent. If he tries to dick you about, get a CCJ and Bailiffs involved. It's a contract, and if it's been fair and equitable, then I don't see how he can justify not returning the deposit. And make sure you get a week off work paid.

[centurian]

A far better course of action would be to pay the final rent, then trash the place getting your money's worth out of the deposit. Also consider smearing cat poo over the kitchen cupboard door handles. I did find that quite amusing when a tenant did that to me. Made a welcome change to having the police round there kicking the back door in as she got involved in a few domestics with her boyfriend....

Depends on the exact wording of the tenancy agreement, but in all likelihood, your liability isn't limited to the amount of the deposit, although he would have to sue you for the difference

[Incognito]

You'd be lucky, I expect.

It's a contract. If it's in black and white that the landlord can recover reasonable costs incurred in event of the tenant being a dick then there's no hope in hell of said tenant being able to argue that in court.

If said Landlord is on x hundred a day and has to take 3 days off work to deal with issue then that would more than likely be deemed reasonable to recover for x hundred times 3.