Reply to: Deposits are a killer

[doodab]

Mieterverein. I don't think you need to join them as you would a club and anyone can use them.

You need to become a member by filling in a form and paying a fee before they will help you.

[Sysman]

Tell me about it. They would like €5k for the landlords name. Welcome to Bavaria.

Ah, Maklers - when I was in Munich the agency had a lass who did nothing else but organise accommodation. With the benefit of hindsight she probably earned her keep by avoiding that lot.

There is something called the Meiterverein you can join that is a sort of tenant's association that will give you advice on your rights and suchlike.

IIRC the landlords are supposed to keep the deposit in a special account (the same as we now do in the UK) and give you the interest on it.

Mieterverein. I don't think you need to join them as you would a club and anyone can use them.

The deposits I've given (so far) have shown up as a kind of sub-account of my normal bank account. Can't touch it without the landlord's or letting agency's agreement, but what little interest it earns is mine, and more importantly at the beginning, it counted towards my total balance for the purposes of free banking.

[doodab]

There is something called the Meiterverein you can join that is a sort of tenant's association that will give you advice on your rights and suchlike.

IIRC the landlords are supposed to keep the deposit in a special account (the same as we now do in the UK) and give you the interest on it.

[Sysman]

SSsssh don't go there.

We've arranged a shared bank account especially for holding deposits, don't remember the deutsche name but the landlord does not have access to the deposit any more than I do until we both agree suitable costs if any.

I think it's more than fair.

And if you don't agree they have tribunals/courts that specialise in this area, fair rents and the like.

One think I don't get is my agency in the UK (for my UK home which I let) told me to bog off when I said I want 3 months of deposit form perspective tenants, after all there's about 20K of stuff (furnished house) and the max I can get away with asking is one month deposit.

It's little wonder landlords home's get trashed, the tenants have nothing to loose but a stupid month deposit I pi$$ up the wall on a night out in London.

The reason that I never rented my home out in the UK was the attitude I saw even respectable mates had to their landlords. Very like the attitude some folks had to company cars (thrash them and don't bother about the occasional scratch or dent).

When renting in the UK myself, I usually got thanked by the landlords when it came to time to leave. They were typically surprised to find I left the place so clean. This tells its own story.

[Sysman]

since there´s very often a fight over the deposit anyway, not a bad idea, moving out is hassle free, mentally I write off the deposit.

You are probably right. The place I had until 2004 - the back terrace was covered in weeds when I moved in and a tree was trying to take root under the concrete floor tiles. It rook me frigging hours to get that lot cleaned up, yet they complained that there was some moss that needed cleaning off when I left.

I should have made them write it down, and taken photos to back it up.

[scooterscot]

mentally I write off the deposit.

SSsssh don't go there.

We've arranged a shared bank account especially for holding deposits, don't remember the deutsche name but the landlord does not have access to the deposit any more than I do until we both agree suitable costs if any.

I think it's more than fair.

One think I don't get is my agency in the UK (for my UK home which I let) told me to bog off when I said I want 3 months of deposit form perspective tenants, after all there's about 20K of stuff (furnished house) and the max I can get away with asking is one month deposit.

It's little wonder landlords home's get trashed, the tenants have nothing to loose but a stupid month deposit I pi$$ up the wall on a night out in London.

[scooterscot]

The deposit I could stomach. It's the thieving Maklers I can't stand.

You want me to agree to pay you HOW MUCH for the landlords name? Thieving Fnuckers!!!

Tell me about it. They would like €5k for the landlords name. Welcome to Bavaria.

[BlasterBates]

I got off lightly in comparison. I believe my lot could have asked for more but didn't.

There's a newish scheme in Switzerland to pay premiums instead of a deposit. I assume that's more expensive in the long run though.

since there´s very often a fight over the deposit anyway, not a bad idea, moving out is hassle free, mentally I write off the deposit.

[Pondlife]

The deposit I could stomach. It's the thieving Maklers I can't stand.

You want me to agree to pay you HOW MUCH for the landlords name? Thieving Fnuckers!!!

[Sysman]

Would have done the same if not for a provision which is about 2.39 x the monthly rent. So to cross the threshold you're asked for, let me think, yes 6-7 months rent down just to walk in the door or €15k.

I decided to use the law on my side this time, every German tenant has the right to pay the deposit by instalments over 3 months.

No wonder people over here don't move much.

I got off lightly in comparison. I believe my lot could have asked for more but didn't.

There's a newish scheme in Switzerland to pay premiums instead of a deposit. I assume that's more expensive in the long run though.

[scooterscot]

I've never paid the deposit by installments. All up front, which means 4 months' rent down before you move in.

Would have done the same if not for a provision which is about 2.39 x the monthly rent. So to cross the threshold you're asked for, let me think, yes 6-7 months rent down just to walk in the door or €15k.

I decided to use the law on my side this time, every German tenant has the right to pay the deposit by instalments over 3 months.

No wonder people over here don't move much.

[Sysman]

Will be glad the 3rd month is nearly over. 3 months of deposit payable over 3 months + rent.

So if you're thinking of setting up in Munich bring £10k with you.

I've never paid the deposit by installments. All up front, which means 4 months' rent down before you move in.

But perhaps this is why in Europe tenants look after rented accommodation better than they do in the UK.

It may be worth while taking out an insurance policy now against loss of deposit when you leave. That pan of soup I forgot about cost me a new ceramic hob at one place, though to be fair it only cost me a third because it was 2/3 through its rated life. Everything has a rated life from new - something like carpets 5 years, kitchens 15 years (I've forgotten the exact numbers), but you get the idea, and at the end of that time you are allowed to ask for replacements.

[amcdonald]

I've no been paid yet!

A real consultant does not charge every month, that's how permies are paid.

No a real consultant is a permie anyway, they just get charged out at contractor rates

[scooterscot]

I'll remind you that next time you'll start bragging about how good your euro rates are.

I've got to maintain my hobnob habit somehow.

[AtW]

I don't trade with folding cash, only hobnobs.

I'll remind you that next time you'll start bragging about how good your euro rates are.