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Hi, I’m looking for advice on a pet bond dispute related to employer-provided accommodation (I was a service occupier, not a tenant, and this wasn’t a deposit under a tenancy agreement). This falls under a private written agreement separate from my employment contract.
While it may have been a surpise that I resigned, I left within the terms of my contract and no breaches or anything. I did cite the new area manager as one of my reasons for leaving so I do worry the rest is out of spite.
I moved into the flat above the pub in October 2023. At the time, it was partly occupied by other staff (including the temporary GM in the living room), and no move-in inspection or inventory was carried out. The carpets were in poor condition then - I raised this verbally along with the poor condition of the bathroom. The bathroom was refurbished in Feb 2024 but the carpets were never replaced.
A new Area Manager had me sign the accommodation agreement and pet bond in July 2024. The contact clearly states that the bond will be returned unless "deemed to have been damaged or soiled by the pet". No inspection was done when I moved in, got the pet or signed the bond, and no inspection was done in my presence when I moved out - if there even has been an inspection - so I am not sure what grounds they have to deem any damage, even if there was any, was the result of my small cat.
I gave proper notice and vacated on 25 July 2025. Before leaving, I cleaned and shampooed the carpets and took photos. The Area Manager briefly visited on 22 July but said it was for recruitment purposes if candidates asked about the accomodation as he had never been in it. No photos were taken and it wasn't an inspection. He was informed cleaners were coming the next day and I would be handing keys back in time and was fully aware of my timeline if he were to do a proper inspection. This didnt happen and I gave my keys to the duty manager and emailed our HR department to inform them I had left as scheduled.
I've now been told, 3 week later, that my entire bond is being withheld due to carpet condition. No photos, inspection notes, or breakdown of damage or costs have been shared - I have since requested this in writing. There's been no suggestion of specific pet-related damage just "condition of carpets".
Given:
Do I have a case to recover the £500 through small claims? What are my options? As it was a service occupancy and a 'pet bond' rather than a proper tenancy agreement with a held and protected deposit, I'm finding it very tough to find out what my rights actually are.
Thanks in advance.
While it may have been a surpise that I resigned, I left within the terms of my contract and no breaches or anything. I did cite the new area manager as one of my reasons for leaving so I do worry the rest is out of spite.
I moved into the flat above the pub in October 2023. At the time, it was partly occupied by other staff (including the temporary GM in the living room), and no move-in inspection or inventory was carried out. The carpets were in poor condition then - I raised this verbally along with the poor condition of the bathroom. The bathroom was refurbished in Feb 2024 but the carpets were never replaced.
A new Area Manager had me sign the accommodation agreement and pet bond in July 2024. The contact clearly states that the bond will be returned unless "deemed to have been damaged or soiled by the pet". No inspection was done when I moved in, got the pet or signed the bond, and no inspection was done in my presence when I moved out - if there even has been an inspection - so I am not sure what grounds they have to deem any damage, even if there was any, was the result of my small cat.
I gave proper notice and vacated on 25 July 2025. Before leaving, I cleaned and shampooed the carpets and took photos. The Area Manager briefly visited on 22 July but said it was for recruitment purposes if candidates asked about the accomodation as he had never been in it. No photos were taken and it wasn't an inspection. He was informed cleaners were coming the next day and I would be handing keys back in time and was fully aware of my timeline if he were to do a proper inspection. This didnt happen and I gave my keys to the duty manager and emailed our HR department to inform them I had left as scheduled.
I've now been told, 3 week later, that my entire bond is being withheld due to carpet condition. No photos, inspection notes, or breakdown of damage or costs have been shared - I have since requested this in writing. There's been no suggestion of specific pet-related damage just "condition of carpets".
Given:
- No check-in or check-out inventory
- No inspection in my presence
- No evidence of pet-related damage
- Carpets were already worn
- Flat was shared when I moved in
Do I have a case to recover the £500 through small claims? What are my options? As it was a service occupancy and a 'pet bond' rather than a proper tenancy agreement with a held and protected deposit, I'm finding it very tough to find out what my rights actually are.
Thanks in advance.