Why do they need me to go in?

had-enough-now

Hi guys,

We moved into a rented property just under a year ago. Having been reading on here, I realised that we hadn't had any information regarding the deposit being protected, so I got in touch with all 3 protection services to find out if it was with them. All 3 services came back with a big fat NO.

Anyway, I spoke to our landlord who said to check with the LA as it was them who we paid the deposit to, despite the LL managing the property himself. Anyway, rang the LA yesterday who then rang me back saying that they don't appear to have protected it, and could I go in at 9am on Thursday which is my only day off this week! Its also the last day I can spend doing things with my little boy who starts school on Monday as I'm working the rest of the week.

Does anyone know why they need to go in to see them? Surely, its just a simple case of them protecting the deposit? Why do I need to be there for them to do it? I'm a bit peeved in all honesty that they expect me to run round on my one and only day off till next Thursday!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

H-E-N

Zazen999

Call them up and say

'Why do you need me to be there?, it is my only day off so if you need a signature, I'll be in from x until y on Thursday'

princeofpounds

Tell them to get lost. It's not your responsibility to sort out, it's theirs (well, more precisely it's the landlord). It's their error also.

You don't need to be there in any case. They have the deposit already.

Make it clear to the landlord that it is his responsibility, that he is making himself liable to a penalty of 3x the deposit, that it is between him and the agent where the money has gone to.

Cannon_Fodder

Did you pay the deposit by debit card?

They might need you with your debit card and pin, to refund the original deposit, then take it again to a different account, which is linked to the deposit scheme...happened to me.

Incompetent, but nothing dodgy happened afterwards...

clutton_2

they may want a signature from you to say that they are giving you the "prescribed information" about the ~Scheme - landlords need to prove they have done this

had-enough-now

Thanks guys.

We paid the deposit in cash so it wouldn't be for that, and I wouldn't have hadto sign anything if they'd protected it a year ago, so don't understand why I need to now :-s

I've tried ringing the LA but apparently the office manager is out and about and its her I supposedly need to speak to!

Oh what fun lol

H-E-N

had-enough-now

Also, evven if I don't go in, they're still legally required to protect the deposit aren't they? (Not being obtuse, I'm just not sure what happens in these situations)

Pepzofio

I notice you're coming to the end of 12 months at the property. Might they be trying to get you to resign a new term, then the TA & deposit protection dates would tie in better?

Cannon_Fodder

Make it worth the journey, get a reduction in rent at the same time...

robpw2

you can sue fo 3 times the deposit as its not proteced go to citizens advice do not sign anything till you have spoken to them

silvercar

Maybe they want to refund your deposit, in cash.