Comment: 'Having your rental deposit held hostage? It's time we fought back'

At the grand age of 32, I have refined the mottos I live by. Leopard print is a neutral. Always ask for a raise. Do not drink coffee after midday unless on the Continent. And never let your rental deposit get taken.

There is something about being scammed over spurious motes of dust that turns my people-pleasing, delight-to-have-in-class self into the kind of hostage negotiator that would make Liam Neeson blush. I will not hesitate to start calling from different phones and threaten the small claims court.

One landlord assured me he was happy for my deposit to be returned in full. Only fair, given that his response to our home being flooded was to send some bloke round to paper over the stains with craft shop supplies (yes, really). Yet the letting agents spent months withholding our money on made-up charges.

I have never moved into private rental accommodation that has been spotlessly clean and with all amenities and appliances in good working order. But somehow tenants are losing £724 million in a single year on cleaning-related deductions, reports Spareroom. That’s an average of £250 per person — yet only 34 per cent of tenants are pushing back.

This is an outrage. We know this money isn’t being spent on “professional cleaning services” (see above). Deposits, which should be secured in a tenancy deposit scheme, are for serious situations, such as when tenants leave without paying their bill. Not for landlords and letting agents to skim off the top.

They are banking on the fact you’ll be so desperate to get some money back for your next deposit you won’t fight if they hold some of it hostage.

But don’t be intimidated. Know your rights, document everything and if they avoid your calls — use the office landline.