Next of kin to receive my deposit?

polkadot

We're in the process of moving. Private rental through what appears to be a reputable agent, but not been given email addresses for communication. Got a call from agent yesterday (paid holding fee three weeks ago-due to take occupation Thursday) saying I do not qualify as my fiances next of kin. He said he was sorry that it wasnt clear on the docs-but next of kin address is where they will send our deposit to once we moved out.

I initiated the deal but noticed that the LA's attitude towards me was becoming very curt and DF said he'd take over and asked LA to contact him in future. When I took DF to see the property LA wasnt available and had a colleague meet DF. DF liked the house and gave notice to our current LL. Finalised an occupation date and contacted new LA to inform. On the phone then he informed DF that it was only a 6 month contract but the new LL is a first timer and nervous...didnt think it was consequential. He hadn't informed us of this prior to that conversation.

On Friday he phoned wanting to set up a time to sign contracts and pay deposit. I said I couldnt make the appointment-he should phone DF. He called on Saturday in the middle of DS third birthday party and said DF had not called him. DF made an appointment for Thursday as Friday didn't suit him at the time we could do (this changes our dates too for budget purpose).Then he said he couldnt be there so a colleague will meet us and take deposit then take us to the house to do an inventory and meet LL.
Is the deposit situation done (every other rental we've done has paid deposit back to our bank account) and Im worried about handing over money and signing contract before meeting LL and chatting to him (currently I only know his first name).

Its very late in the game and obviously if there are problems on the day we'll be homeless. LA has sprung so much on us that I'm very nervous. And if he's been mucking us about like this, whats he been telling the LL about us?

neas

huuuh?

Im sorry i tried to read all that but it felt like i was reading a story.

Why does your deposit have to be returned to next of kin? Its your depositm, it should be protected with a deposit protection agency and returned to your new forwarding address on leaving property... Its what happens at my rentals.

ILW

neas wrote: »

huuuh?

.

Why does your deposit have to be returned to next of kin? .

The OP must be dead.

polkadot

neas wrote: »

huuuh?

Im sorry i tried to read all that but it felt like i was reading a story.

Why does your deposit have to be returned to next of kin? Its your depositm, it should be protected with a deposit protection agency and returned to your new forwarding address on leaving property... Its what happens at my rentals.

Sorry about that-I tend to "rant" a bit when stressed. I asked the same question, why would it not be put back into my fiances bank account when we move? Or sent to our forwarding address? I didn't get an answer re the bank account and he said not all tenants leave forwarding addresses? My argument...lets say we gave DF's grandads address (as after me he is THE ONLY person DF would trust his money to) what if grandad moves hourse or heaven forbid...dies?
He couldnt answer me....or wouldn't

sooz

the agent sounds confused.
next of kin on a rental application must not be the person you live with. It's someone to contact in case of an emergency who does not live in the same property. It's also someone to contact should you do a bunk & leave money owing, then having your mum's address is a good thing (not as a guarantor, but a point of contact).

your deposit will have to be registered in a scheme. either custodial or insurance based. It is returned to whoever paid it in the first place. The custodial scheme returns it direct to the payees bank account, providing you give them your bank details when agreeing the return. You also need to provide the DPS with a forwarding address, as otherwise they will write to you at the rental address - not much use when you have left.

Fire_Fox

1. You don't need an e-mail address, all formal communication should be in writing.
2. Why does it matter if one letting agent or another deals with you?
3. A six month assured shorthold tenancy is normal.
4. If you want to move in on a specific day it is your responsibility to be available to sign contracts/ inventory/ pay deposit.
5. It's normal never to meet the landlord when a letting agent has been employed.
6. It's not the letting agent's problem that he rang in the middle of a birthday party - at least he contacted you ... twice.
7. A grandparent is not next of kin when a parent or sibling or adult child is alive. A next of kin may be required if, for example, the place floods when you are on holiday.

polkadot

Fire_Fox wrote: »

1. You don't need an e-mail address, all formal communication should be in writing.
2. Why does it matter if one letting agent or another deals with you?
3. A six month assured shorthold tenancy is normal.
4. If you want to move in on a specific day it is your responsibility to be available to sign contracts/ inventory/ pay deposit.
5. It's normal never to meet the landlord when a letting agent has been employed.
6. It's not the letting agent's problem that he rang in the middle of a birthday party - at least he contacted you ... twice.
7. A grandparent is not next of kin when a parent or sibling or adult child is alive. A next of kin may be required if, for example, the place floods when you are on holiday.

Thanks Fire fox

I didn't realise that some of those things were normal so I appreciate you pointing them out, but as regards some of your points...
2) It doesn't really matter-it just seemed odd that he's available to deal with me alone, but never when I say DF will be there.
4) The LA was not available to sign contracts etc on that day, not us.
6)I appreciate that he contacted me-but he was given DF's contact details and asked to contact him directly. When he contacted me I said he should talk to DF and he said he would give him a call. When he called the house on Saturday I assumed that was the call to DF-everytime DF has tried to call him he's not been available and has suggested best just to leave a message.

ILW

What is a DF?

polkadot

"dear fiance"