Can anyone provide a more definite strategy of what I can do in this case? Surely there is plenty of people who have being through this type of extortion.
It has being suggested to me to take the case to the Private Residential Tenancies Board:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/c...ng-a-home/private_residential_tenancies_board
Does anyone have any experience with this body?
The below is a very brief outline of the landlord's obligations when it comes to deposits from the website.
Deposits
As a landlord you may withhold a deposit (or part of a deposit) only if
the tenant has not given you proper notice when leaving.
you have been left with outstanding bills (i.e., public utilities) or rent.
the tenant has caused damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Arising out of this I have certain questions?
- Does anyone know the definition of normal wear and tear? Is it anything outside of wilful damage and breakage? The TV the landlord provided me with broke, I didn’t repair it as we were not responsible for it breaking (there was no abuse of the TV set) and I just used my own one. As the 1709 euro figure is so ridiculously inflated I would say there is a fair chance the landlord just bought a new T.V. Is this allowed in this case?
- Regarding the outstanding bills, it is possible that the landlord is using the deposit to pay the bin charges and TV licence that I never paid in my time 2+ yrs in the house. I was not presented with notice of them from the landlord during my time in the house. Does the landlord have to mention these specifically on the lease that the tenant is expected to pay them?
- I gave the landlord the necessary months notice that I was moving from the apt. The landlord then suggests that I move out earlier as it makes things square with the rent if you get what I mean. I agreed. Surely I’m in no danger of breaking rule 1 above because of this. The Notice of moving out was completely oral anyway.
- Lastly I had to get the exterminators in during my stay in the place. I took the amount it costed off the rent for that month informing the landlord I expected her to pay. She didn’t argue so that was that I thought. I presume I was well within my rights to do so.
OK, that’s all I can think of, Any useful help is greatly appreciated. In the meantime I will ask the landlord to provide me with the breakdown of the 1709 euro.
Thanks again