No deposit refunded - how soon can I go to PRTB?

dubdeb

Hi,

We are 6 weeks out of rented accommodation that we lived in for 5.5 years. At this point we are still waiting for a refund of our deposit despite numerous requests for same from the letting agent.

It would appear that both our landlord and letting agent expected that the cream carpets laid in the bedroom prior to our tenancy should have been left as new - after 5.5yrs. We are disputing a charge of €135 for cleaning these as we cleaned them and left no staining/burns/damage, we feel it is general wear and tear.

We also feel that it is particularly distasteful of the landlord to charge this given that during our entire tenancy we had one wall painted - and only because a shelf fell down and left two gaping holes for over 6mths first. Generally the complex was well managed outside of the individual apartments and it's a good location which is why we stayed so long regardless of how shabby the interior had become.

A week ago we were told we could expect the balance of our deposit minus the €135 which remains in dispute but nothing has been refunded and the letting agent has ignored the two emails I've sent (Thursday of last week and again today) chasing up our deposit.

How soon is reasonable to go down the route of PRTB?

Also, when we moved in the tenancy was registered but our last contract expired in 2011 as we were looking to buy so it suited the letting agent not to renew, are we still entitled to go this route?

Thanks, Debbie

D3PO

Yes you are entitled to go to the PRTB and there is no timeframe so you can go now.

Contact the EA advise him/her that you want your deposit returned in full by X date or you will be lodging a dispute with the PRTB.

Esoteric_

Cleaning of a carpet after 5 years most certainly IS wear and tear.


I'd advise them that you're lodging a dispute first, this sometimes gives them a kick up the backside to refund the money. If they don't reply within a few days, lodge it.