In my experience, lots of companies have more or less automatic denial on requests. This is to filter out those that simply give up on step 1. Then the same companies will, like OP points out, offer some % in reimbursement / whatever to those that bother to appeal the initial denial. It's a disgusting practice, IMO - but what can you do?
A bit OT:
But ESPECIALLY the rental market - professional or private - is horrible on this. Before purchasing my home, I had rented 7 different apartments over the years.
No mater how thorough I'd be on washing out apartment, or how careful I'd be with it, they would always find something - and claim deductions on the deposit.
This worked for the first apartment I rented - after that I got wiser, and took pictures of everything before actually moving in. Better yet, with the landlord or representative as witness. Document everything. I even recorded the phone conversation - informing that the conversation would be recorded, and if that was a problem, we'd take everything in writing.
This saved me lots of deposits. Like clockwork, I'd be informed that they found something - sending evidence. I'd reply back with my evidence, and suddenly everything's OK.
A bit OT:
But ESPECIALLY the rental market - professional or private - is horrible on this. Before purchasing my home, I had rented 7 different apartments over the years.
No mater how thorough I'd be on washing out apartment, or how careful I'd be with it, they would always find something - and claim deductions on the deposit.
This worked for the first apartment I rented - after that I got wiser, and took pictures of everything before actually moving in. Better yet, with the landlord or representative as witness. Document everything. I even recorded the phone conversation - informing that the conversation would be recorded, and if that was a problem, we'd take everything in writing.
This saved me lots of deposits. Like clockwork, I'd be informed that they found something - sending evidence. I'd reply back with my evidence, and suddenly everything's OK.