Landlord withholding deposit

highly1111 · 14-05-2012 4:47pm #1

Hi

We moved out on April 25th. €600 of €750 deposit was finally returned on 9th May. There was no explanation as to why the €150 was withheld.

I left 3 voicemails and 2 text messages for the landlord - but no response.

Today she answered when I rang from a private number.

She was immediately defensive and accused us of a taking a toaster and of leaving the place filthy. She claimed that when you lifted the cushions off the sofa you would "vomit" if you had seen the filth which was under them - I was shocked by what she said. She said she had to get professional cleaners in etc etc. I cleaned the house from top to bottom before we left and the toaster was left there - I have no idea where she got the idea that we took the toaster from???

The place was left spotless and the letting agent inspected it and even sent me an email - below - stating so

I spoke with Landlord & emailed her this morning with therecommendation that the full deposit be returned to you at your forwarding address in XXX

Many thanks for returning the house in excellent condition. I’vesuggested to Landlord that she repair the oven door surround – we weren’taware it had come loose & apologies for any inconvenience caused.

I've already lodged a complaint with the PRTB and I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience or thoughts on this. I told the landlord that I would be lodging a complaint as I disputed what she said and she said - go ahead, I want nothing more to do with you - and then she hung up on me. I rang the letting agent who said that he was absolutely shocked by her behaviour and he also has an email similiar to the above sent to her stating that the house was left in excellent condition - the only ailment being the surround of the oven door which he recommended getting fixed but that was wear and tear.

Finally, I don't know weather to text her and tell her I've lodged a dispute with the PRTB - we need to get the €150 back asap as we've just had a new baby and have a lot of expenses. She seems to know that she is in the wrong as she avoided me and she just seems to be cowardly about it. I don't want to wait however long it is with the PRTB to make an adjudication - does anyone know how long it normally takes?

Should I try and communicate with her once more and get a resolution or leave it now that I've lodged the dispute (and paid the €25 fee) with the PRTB?

I just want our money back - as far as I'm concerned she's just as much stolen it as well as accusing of stealing from her. It's now a matter of principal more than anything else. The agent has being helpful but isn't willing to act as a mediator (fair enough I suppose) and just recommended going to the PRTB.

Thanks for any advice

Highly