Notes

Formal Dispute of Unjust Deductions for Wear and Tear and Cleaning Fees

Dear Deposit Protection Service,

I am writing to formally dispute the £498.33 charge for wear and tear, as well as the additional cleaning fee, that my letting agent has unfairly deducted from my deposit. These deductions are both excessive and unjustified, especially given that the condition of the property upon my departure reflected normal wear and tear, with no major damage present.

1. Excessive Charges for Normal Wear and Tear
The £498.33 charge appears to cover what is clearly normal wear and tear that would be expected during a tenancy of this length. It is well-established that tenants cannot be charged for natural deterioration due to ordinary use, such as minor scuff marks, wear on carpets, or slight fading of paint. I dispute this charge because it fails to reflect the legal principle that landlords must bear the cost of reasonable wear and tear. The property was maintained to a high standard during my tenancy, and no significant or intentional damage occurred.

2. Lack of Specific Evidence to Justify Deductions
The letting agent has not provided any substantial evidence to support their claim that £498.33 is required for repairs. There has been no detailed breakdown of the alleged damages, no photographs, nor any repair invoices to substantiate the figure. Without concrete evidence that demonstrates actual damage beyond normal wear and tear, this charge is wholly inappropriate. I ask that the DPS reject this unjustifiable deduction.

3. Unreasonable Cleaning Fee
In addition to the wear and tear charges, the letting agent has also imposed a cleaning fee, which I firmly contest. Prior to vacating the property, I took steps to ensure it was left in a clean and habitable condition. Any minor cleaning needed would have been minimal and does not justify the excessive cleaning fee now being claimed. The agent has failed to provide any documentation, such as receipts or evidence of additional cleaning required, which makes this fee appear inflated and baseless.

4. Violation of Tenant Rights
These excessive charges represent a clear attempt to unfairly withhold part of my deposit. The burden of proof lies with the letting agent to demonstrate that the condition of the property upon my departure required additional expense beyond what is reasonable. Given that no evidence has been provided and the charges relate to standard wear and tear, I believe this is a violation of my rights as a tenant and an attempt to misuse the deposit system.


I respectfully request that the Deposit Protection Service fully review this dispute and ensure the return of the portion of my deposit that has been unjustly withheld. I ask that the letting agent be required to provide specific evidence if they wish to continue pursuing these charges. In the absence of such evidence, I expect the full disputed amount to be refunded.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am happy to provide any further details or documentation if required.

Yours sincerely,
Yemi Otolorin
Fatimat Otolorin
Apartment 1907, Lightbox media city Salford M502AF
07780066509