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CAn anyone give me some help please . A long time boarder under a licence to occupy has turned out to be a herion addict . He has stolen numerous items of jewellery from my wife although we are only able to prove the theft of one piece which as been recovered from cash converters . I naturally got the police to arrest him and he was caught by them injecting herion . Today his mother and with permission started to remove the former lodgers clothers and stuff she started demanding his deposit back . At the moment i am refusing as he still has my keys but do i have to return teh deposit. As a resident landlord i do not need to be part of the deposit guarantee scheme.
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
Seek professional legal advice on this one, Seduraed, if only to cover yourself. My gut-feeling is that you do have to return the deposit, but should not give it back until you have the keys back in your possession. However, a legal professional will be able to give a more authoritative answer.Life is a journey on which we all travel, sometimes together, but never alone. -
Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
I presume as is normal I can make deductions for damages and cleaning . eg new mattress, new mirror on the wardrobe , repainting the room as he has used gaffer tape on the wall etc.Comment
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
As with my previous post, seek professional legal advice. That way, you are covered and it will make it more difficult for this individual to reclaim his deposit. In view of the circumstances leading up to your lodger's departure, professional legal advice is not an option - it is a necessity.Life is a journey on which we all travel, sometimes together, but never alone.Comment
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
If I can interject here, I'd recommend changing the locks, whats to stop him/her taking a copy of the keys, hand the originals back and then months down the line let themselves in and raid your place.
Nope changing the locks is definately my way forward.Comment
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
That was my initial thought, too, Sapphy.Originally posted by sapphire View PostLife is a journey on which we all travel, sometimes together, but never alone.Comment
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
Glad to know we both think along the same lines hun xComment
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
His keys were confiscated by the police in the custody suite, thety have just been returned today .Comment
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
First of all take photos of the room as it was left by the tenant, especially the damaged furniture, then, have new locks fitted anyway to be on the safe side, deduct the cost of the lock change from the deposit!
A deposit is normally paid to ensure the tenant leaves the place as they found it and is repayable if there is no damage or arrears for rent.
Keep receipts for any repairs or replacements and deduct it from the deposit, return any excess to the tenant and get them to sign for it!
If they make a claim against you the judge will look at physical evidence not verbal and will need to see costs incurred by you which have been justifiably deducted from the deposit, if the tenant is a smackhead he won't even know how to make a claim.Comment
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
hes now in prison for the theft serving three monthsComment
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Re: Boarder has stolen from and is now demanding his deposit back
Definitely change the locks,,if he's an addict he won't think twice about trying to get his fix.Originally posted by sapphire View PostComment
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