Landlord trying to keep hold of Bond?

We recently moved out for a rented house which we had been living in for 2 and half years, we payed 450 bond at the beginning.
We wasn't aloud to decorate at all when we were living there so even though the kitchen and stairway could do with a coat of paint we thought we had better leave it to keep in with the rules.
We left the house 2 weeks ago cleaned top to bottom everything out and we even steam sleaned the Carpets.

She Turned round and said she wanted 拢600 to fully redecorate the house and to hire a steam cleaner for the kitchen and bathroom, our estate agent has managed to get her down to 拢200 which I stil think is unacceptable as after 2 and 1/2 yrs the things that may need doing are just basic wear and tear whcih any landlord would expect to do when a tennant moves out.
we have a baby on the way and so 拢200 is a very lot of money to loose out on at the moment.

does anyone please have any advise on what we can do on this matter as I dont think she should get a penny from us

Thanks

As others have said, having pictures of the property when you took over the tenacy and when you left is ideal - if you don't then make sure you do this next time!

The most important thing to state is that landlords are not allowed to keep money for 'fair wear and tear' - which would include decorating. So unless you had damaged the decorations, for eg by putting holes in the walls or letting children rip wallpaper off, she doesn't have a leg to stand on. Unless there is a detailed inventory stating clearly what state the walls etc were in when you arrived, she will have a very hard time indeed being able to claim this money from you

Unfortunately many many landlords will try this on, hoping that people won't fight it.

Did she keep the money herself? If so, that is against the law!
Since 6th April 2007, when a Landlord issues a new or renews an Assured Short hold Tenancy (which is what I assume you had) where a deposit is involved, such deposit must be protected by a government approved scheme. You might want to point this out and say she will be reported forthwith unless you get your cash back immediately!

If the estate agent has held the money properly in a bonded scheme, then there is an assumption that you will get it back as long as your rent etc is paid to date unless she can show you have caused damage. The estate agent should have advised you (and her, as it's her that's paying them!) clearly on this and it's a bit worrying that they haven't. They should be able to give you detail of the formal arbitration scheme you can go to if you and the landlady cannot agree (and if what you say is correct, I see no reason to give into her at all)

If this doesn't work out for any reason then your local CAB or housing advice office should be your next port of call (some councils have teams that specialise in housing advice for all tenants, not just council tenants, so it's worth checking out).

It may be that you end up needing to sue her for the money, but for such a small amount this is a relatively painless and inexpensive procedure

In Canada, in this case they owe you 2 years interest on the money they held. They are obliged to pay you every year.
You would have had been in a better situation if you did a 'walk through' with the landlord prior to moving out.
Here, if we go to small claims court to retrieve money owing to us, we have to pay initially $50 or so, and the loser pays court costs.
I agree with you. Paint and decorating is part of wear and tear. Because there was no mention of actual 'damage', sounds like you have a good, honest case.

Tell her that you need to consult a solicitor about this as you feel it is unreasonable. If she had not set rules of no decoration then it wouldn't be this bad after 2 and half years. Give her receipt to prove steam cleaner hire so that she cannot claim that it needs doing. She may panic and reduce what she wants or she may let you take it all the way. Your best bet is to contact Citizen Advice but tell her you are getting legal advice.

did you take pictures of the house? The only way to really prove what state house was in when you arrived/departed is take to a video or photos (with dates on them).
Landlords will always try to screw you out of money, don't let her get away with it. My sister's landlord tried to overcharge her when they moved out, amongst other things they said the shower curtain needed changing when it was still in the original packaging having never been used!

landlords really p*ss me off! I rented for a total of 6 years and they always kept my deposit even though I always looked after all the properties. One landlord even charged 拢12 for each lightbulb he replaced!

Try the citizens advice bureau as they are experts in legal matters and will tell you where you stand. I really hope the robbing b*stard doesnt get away with it and good luck with the baby coming!

Hope you have pictures before and after, then take her to small claims court. Normal wear and tear doesn't quailify for keeping your deposit. My sister took her landlord to court and won.

Get some rats and mice from the pet shop, cockroaches as well if you can get them. Let them free in the house. Point out to the landlord that you are leaving the house as you found it.

UK? Go and speak to citizens advice as there is only so much a landlord/lady can do, but they will try it! Citizens advice has the resources to help you better.

Does not seem reasonable at at all. They should have been lucky to have you as a tenant. Some run off without paying rent and trash the place.

Legally your bond money should have been deposited ina separate account. This is not the first time that unscrupulous landlords have done this type of thing. If you have left the premises ina clean state and there were no major repairs then you would be entitled to all of your deposit back If you say that you were not allowed to decorate and there is ordinary wear and tear as you would expect after two and a half years then it sounds to me you have a good case/ You need to get some help from the Citizens Advice Bureau in your area. They are most helpful and can help you tremendously. They are always handling this type of thing. You could look them up in the phone book. You need to make an appointment to see them but believe me they are most helpful. I would not try to represent yourself in this matter because you need proper legal advise.
This woman certainly cannot ask you for the Six hundred and certainly it tells me that if she was prepared to take two hundred then in the first place she was lying about the amount of redecorating there is to do.
But take my advise and go see the Citizens Advice..Good luck.