What can I do?

emsywoo123

Long story, so I will keep to the facts:

• Viewed property 7th Sept
• Spoke to LL 8th Sept to confirm we would like it
• LL took £200 on 9th sept in lieu of 1st week rent to "secure our interest" Recipt states "£200 in leiu of first weeks rent"
• Character references taken up, but all were asked how I afforded to live, how my DD school fees were paid, other financial Q etc. No credit checks made.
• LL called me 11th Sept to question me about my DD birth father and if we still saw him ( ) and other personal Q. He said he thought I would not be able to afford it, and asked if my father would go as guarentor. We agreed.
• He called my dad that night, and asked "does Emma go to church every week" and other such Q. He then called me back, and said he had decided to bring the date forward for when he wanted the deposit, and I had 48 hrs to find the £1K or I could not have it (brought foward by 3 weeks!!)
• Spoke to my parents, and agered this was not feasible, so my mum called him and told him I could not raise the deposit that quickly, and therefore not taking the property.

He will now not refund the £200, and has naffed off on hols.
Do I have a leg to stand on in small claims?

Many thanks for taking the time to read this, and advice in advance:T

welshnoonoo

I have no idea where you stand legally regarding your deposit (did you get anything in writing?). It sounds as though he has broken the agreement and therefore I would assume you have the right to get it back, but quite honestly it sounds to me like this person may be a bit of a creep! What strange questions to ask - I wouldn't rent a house of them!!!!!

emsywoo123

welshnoonoo wrote: »

I have no idea where you stand legally regarding your deposit (did you get anything in writing?).only the recipt as detailed above? It sounds as though he has broken the agreement and therefore I would assume you have the right to get it back, but quite honestly it sounds to me like this person may be a bit of a creep! What strange questions to ask - I wouldn't rent a house of them!!!!!

My boss was horrified when he spoke to her-asked how I could work and be a mum........exactly as she was!!

lynzpower

Emsy, Im certain that you should get your dep back, you paid this to hold the property, and this 2 bit weirdo has decided that alas you are not what he is looking for. therefore he seems to have swindled, or at least tried.

Could you at least give the general area you are in so other moneysavers can beware. This is truly shocking.

Agreed tho, lucky escape!

emsywoo123

lynzpower wrote: »

Emsy, Im certain that you should get your dep back, you paid this to hold the property, and this 2 bit weirdo has decided that alas you are not what he is looking for. therefore he seems to have swindled, or at least tried.

Could you at least give the general area you are in so other moneysavers can beware. This is truly shocking.

Agreed tho, lucky escape!

Yes of course, it was near Maidstone, in Kent.

I keep remembering things he said to me.............like asking OH when he planend on marrying me!!:eek:

lynzpower

what a FREAK!

ShelfStacker_3

Well done on dropping out. The LL sounds like a moralistic lunatic, and good luck to him finding someone who ticks all his little boxes. After thinking about it long and hard, I've worked out that the only person he'll get is that woman who sued BA for not letting her wear a cross (they'd probably have some lovely discussions about morals over tea and the Daily Express.)

But enough jokes. You have a leg to stand on in small claims, in fact you have several. You have a receipt for services not received, he was more intrusive (and implicitly insulting, questioning your character and morality) than any landlord has a right to be. In fact, if he's made it implicitly clear that he only wants Christian tenants, that's religious discrimination in itself, and illegal. Personally, I'd claim for hurt and distress as well - like I say, no landlord has the right to ask questions like that. It's none of his business.

emsywoo123

lynzpower wrote: »

what a FREAK!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: I know but I was really upset as I loved the house, and served notice on mine:eek: I only have 2 weeks left here now, but luckily found another (and slightly cheaper;) ) lovely house (actually, nicer!!) but it will not be ready for 5 weeks.
So at the grand old age of 27, moving back to my parents for 3 weeks, with DD and dog!:eek: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

emsywoo123

ShelfStacker wrote: »

Well done on dropping out. The LL sounds like a moralistic lunatic, and good luck to him finding someone who ticks all his little boxes. After thinking about it long and hard, I've worked out that the only person he'll get is that woman who sued BA for not letting her wear a cross (they'd probably have some lovely discussions about morals over tea and the Daily Express.)

But enough jokes. You have a leg to stand on in small claims, in fact you have several. You have a receipt for services not received, he was more intrusive (and implicitly insulting, questioning your character and morality) than any landlord has a right to be. In fact, if he's made it implicitly clear that he only wants Christian tenants, that's religious discrimination in itself, and illegal. Personally, I'd claim for hurt and distress as well - like I say, no landlord has the right to ask questions like that. It's none of his business.

Thank you, I thought I was perhaps overly sensitive, but questioning me aout DD birth father:eek: :eek: :eek: few and far between know that story, not even my MSE buddies, so I am hardly going to talk to a random freak about it!:rotfl:

so what do I do now? He is away on his hols til the end of next week........

lynzpower

Do you have his address?

emsywoo123

lynzpower wrote: »

Do you have his address?

yes? My father went round for me twice to try and get the money (clearly this bloke is not going to listen to me!!) was yesterday to come back today, was told today to come back tomorrow.
He will go back tomorrow, but then I think we should file whatever it is that needs filing!!