Do NOT rent from Dexters to avoid malicious deposit claim.
We previously rented a 2B2B flat for 2 years with Dexters. At check-out, we paid Dexters to hire a professional cleaner for check-out cleaning. The property was left in good and clean shape. However, Dexters still requested to claim £345 from our deposit. Post negotiation failure, we went through TDS which found majority of Dexters claim unreasonable (£180).
The entire process was horrendous as Dexters acted unprofessionally and unethically, with potential negligence involved. Details are as below:
1. Malicious deposit claim: post check-out, Dexters requested to claim several items which were 100% crystal clear not our responsibility. Dexters was fully aware this while still tried to claim in the sole purpose of gaining unlawful interest for themselves. Items are detailed as below.
- Toilet roll holder: check-in report shows there was NO toilet roll holder when moving in. I found a slightly broken toilet roll holder myself while Dexters tried to claim £25 for this broken toilet roll holder at check-out – claiming for something that does not below to the landlord is clearly unprofessional and unethical.
- Dust in the vacuum: check-in report shows there was already dust in the vacuum when we moved in. At check-out, Dexters was trying to claim £25 for the dust in vacuum – claiming for something that was not our responsibility is clearly unprofessional and unethical.
- Shower curtain: Dexters tried to claim £30 for shower curtain which was still functioning well. In addition, shower curtain was consumable and a responsibility of the landlord – as an experience agent Dexters should know this. So they are either lack of common sense, or intentionally making a malicious claim.
All above items were rejected by TDS to further confirm they are unreasonable.
2. Making unauthorised decision during check-out cleaning
We paid Dexters £348 to hire a professional cleaner for check-out cleaning. During the deposit negotiation process, the cleaner indicated that they could re-clean the property within 30 days of the first cleaning.
We asked to re-clean the property for certain items that Dexters claimed – this was still rejected by Dexters. Should the cleaner re-clean the property, several items claimed by Dexters could potentially be cleaned and avoid a deposit claim.
As the service owner who paid for the check-out cleaning, we should be one to make the decision. However as an agent (who should act on our behalf), Dexters made an unauthorised decision against our will – this is breach of duty and potentially constitutes a professional negligence.
3. Behave unresponsive and unprofessional during the deposit claim process
Since the start of deposit claim process, Dexters was behaving unfriendly and condescending. Often they did not respond to our emails or queries and we had to constantly send several emails to chase them and move forward the process.
Even post TDS decision, we still had to call them 6 times and send several email chasers for them to release the deposit (which finally happened 10 days later). Dexters was consistently unresponsive and delaying the deposit release in every step of the process.
Disclaimer: this Review is 100% true, with email and documentation evidence to back it up.