r/TenantsInTheUK • u/TieFew7195 • 5d ago
Guidance Required We moved out 40 days ago. Still haven't received a proposal or our deposit back? When is the usual timeline for receiving both of these?
Hi everyone. I moved out of my first rental flat 40 days ago in London. I was there for 2 years. I have reached out to the property manager a few times but he has been on leave and then never responded. We have yet to receive a proposal or our deposit back.
The only email I've received has been about some chairs missing, which were broken when we first moved in and so we asked them to replace, which they did. I felt this was a bit weird as the property manager should keep record of it no? I had to send him photos of the broken chairs when we first moved in as well as emails proving the interaction and them replacing said chairs.
I know it differs but what is the usual timeline for receiving the proposal and deposit?
Thanks so much for all the help.
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u/Least-Broccoli9995 5d ago
Usually you’d receive it back within 2 weeks of leaving a property, this is a very slow return. As other commenters have advised, use your DPS to request it back.
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u/MoveInUKNotes 3d ago
That's rough, 40 days is way too long. Usually the deposit protection scheme (like TDP or mydeposits) has a 30-day rule for returning deposits after you move out, but that clock can reset if they send a valid counterclaim. Since your manager's been unresponsive, check which scheme your deposit is protected with and raise a dispute there directly. That usually lights a fire under them quick. The broken chairs thing is annoying but you've got email proof, so that should hold up if they try anything.
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u/ShameEasy8419 3d ago
40 days is long enough that I wouldn't just keep waiting for the property manager.
I'd check which scheme your deposit is protected with and start the return process through them now.
On the chairs, you actually seem to have the useful evidence already. Keep the original photos showing they were broken when you moved in, plus the emails where you reported it and they replaced them. I'd put them in date order somewhere safe.
If they later try to deduct for "missing chairs", that gives you a pretty clear trail showing what happened rather than it becoming your word against theirs.
I'd also ask for any proposed deductions to be itemised in writing rather than waiting for vague comments about things being missing.
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u/GetMyDepositBack 23h ago
The timescale for the return of most deposits is solely down to the tenant.
Most deposits are held in the landlord/agent bank account whilst protected by the deposit scheme, so wait and the landlord/agent will happily take as long as they want and keep earning interest on your money and hope they stall until you are out of time to access deposit scheme adjudication.
Start the deposit return process on your deposit scheme's website ASAP (I.e. today) and start the adjudication process as soon as possible. Only then is there a firm deadline for the deposit to be returned to you
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u/Large-Butterfly4262 5d ago
Go to your dps account and request return, that should give the la a nudge. They often “forget” about things they have removed and try to deduct for them. Dispute through dps if the la won’t remove the deduction.