By Joanna Long
Students moving out of private rented accommodation are being ripped off by landlords according to trading standards. Many Bournemouth University students are finding that their letting agencies and landlords are withholding their deposits often worth thousands of pounds for shared properties. Despite moving out as long ago as June, many returning students are stuck in bitter disputes trying to get their deposits back but don't know where to turn for help.
Former Southcote road resident Ed Versluys and his housemates are being charged over £1000 extra on top of their deposits for damage to their house. He said, "Some of it is justifiable as we did cause some damage during parties but the charges against us are unreasonable. There is no way we caused that much harm to the house. We have been charged for weeding our garden, which is a patch of unusable scrub land with broken TVs and used condoms from where the prostitutes get into our 'garden'. When we moved in they told us that they would put in a security light to make it safe but no, just one of many empty promises they made".
A former Springbourne resident and her previous housemates are awaiting the return of their deposits after four months. The student does not want to be named because she fears it may prolong getting her money back if the agency read this. Despite writing and calling her former letting agency they are yet to receive their money despite the final amount to be returned being decided mid September. The Boscombe based letting agency has maintained to her it is a standard waiting time and she will get her money soon. She said, "They are taking us for a ride, they know we are students, they think they can mess us around and it isn't fair. We have a right to our money but getting hold of it is a different story".
The problem is most students are unaware of their rights and find it difficult to fight their case against agencies. In April 2007 the government introduced new legislation which was intended to give tenants more protection. The tenancy deposit law was set up to prevent landlords and letting agents unfairly withholding a tenant's deposit. By law all deposits taken in England and Wales for Assured Shorthold Tenancies have to be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. This system was implemented to try to ensure disputes by the letting agency are easier to resolve and that tenants have support when disputing charges.
Geoff Pruce was with Roberts last year and is still in disagreement with the agency. He said, "They accused us of replacing the kitchen floor with lino and decorating the bathroom. Why would we do that? It's ridiculous. We have been charged £340 for carpets to be cleaned when they are in the same state as when we moved in and my housemate has been charged for his bed as it was in a used condition. Well obviously since he slept in it".
Helen Symons, of the National Union of Students, said that the problem is affecting students nation wide. "Students that have lost thousands of pounds over three or four years of their courses. They have lost all or most of their deposits every time they have moved, usually unfairly".
"With the expansion of education and less universities building halls due to financial problems, there's a massive housing shortage. It makes it very difficult for students to challenge the problem because it's hard for them to find anywhere else to live."
In order to avoid disputes, the NUS website advises that when you move into a property make a note of all the damage, scuff marks, tears in curtains etc and if possible photograph and date them. With photographic evidence it should make disputes regarding damage easily solved as there will be proof that damage was there when you moved into the property. Make the effort to report these to your letting agent or landlord and keep a copy yourself.
Once your tenancy is up, ensure you are leaving the property in the condition it was let to you - allowing for adequate wear and tear. Providing that your rent and other expenses have been paid you can agree an amount to be returned with you. Legally you have ten days following this agreement for your deposit money to be returned to you.
For further information about tenants rights go to HYPERLINK "http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm" www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm or visit the university accommodation office.