The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks claims letting agents and landlords may need to increase their deposits in some parts if the UK to cover the cost of damage and cleaning found at check-out.
AIIC says that data from My Deposits shows that the average tenancy deposit now stands at £1,197.73 which is up £304 from £893.82 since the middle of 2007. But the figures also show a difference of £1,168 between the average cost of deposits in the dearest and cheapest regions in England and Wales.
The most expensive average deposit paid by tenants is predictably in London at £1,760.30, a rise of £37.20 (2.16 per cent) since the same point last year.
The cheapest average deposit is in Yorkshire and Humber at just £592.75) and the North East at £602.38.
However, the AIIC warns that the lower deposits can often be insufficient to cover the cost of properties requiring a full deep clean or repairs to carpets, floor coverings, baths, sinks and other fixtures and fittings - all commonly found at check-out.
At a recent check-out, the tenant had light fittings pulled from the walls and ceilings, kitchen worktops damaged and carpets covered with iron burns. The resulting damage cost the landlord several thousands of pounds to rectify. With no deposit left, the only course of action would have been to use the court system to try to reclaim the money says AIIC chair Pat Barber.
But with many tenants simply disappearing or clearly off and landlords having no other means of payment they often find themselves having to foot the bill to bring their property back to a rentable condition Barber says.
The association says copies of inventories need to be given to tenants at check-in and check-out times, if there is any chance of costs of repairs being met. Other useful evidence to use in any end of tenancy dispute are contractor invoices for services like professional cleaning or for gardening and repairs.
The AIIC also recommends not relying solely on photographs to create an inventory.
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