Landlord/agency withholding bond

omen666

I would contact all 3 of the governments deposit schemes and ask if your deposit was protected with them. If not I would take it to court and get it back plus the 3 times your deposit as the minimum compensation amount the court has to grant you according to legislation.

This will teach him to do things properly in future and not mess others around too.

Suggest reading through these

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=unprotected+deposit&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

clutton_2

the tenancy started in 2006 so the Deposit schemes may not apply

omen666

oops skim read the post, apologies

StretchedElf

I've still not got my deposit back.

The landlord insists that the letting agency has the money and are supposed to release it when he instructs them to do so. He did this by letter but they claimed not to have received it. A copy including my contact details was sent by recorded delivery which they received but have not responded to. Phonecalls to them get fobbed off. It's been over a month since the landlord instructed them to release the money and they basically are ignoring us!

Is there any organisation I could maybe use who have a little weight. Are lettings agencies subject to a governing body who I could contact?

Jowo_2

No, its between you and the landlord. Any dispute he has with them, he has to take up with them through a separate civil action. He is legally bound to return it to you and its not your problem that the agent are not cooperative, it is his.

What happens is he has an agreement with the agency to manage the property so anything signed with the agency is actually signed on his behalf - they are his representatives, they do not replace him and his requirement to comply with the law.

Tell the landlord his beef with the agent isn't a concern of yours. He should refund your deposit directly back to you and get it refunded from the agency to him. Tell him you will see him in court and submit your claim through MCOL now.

Many agencies don't belong to professional bodies anyway as its voluntary and most don't bother. Their website/correspondance should say if they belong to one and then you can check it on the professional body's website, too (as some agents lie about their accreditation..). However, your landlord has the contract with them, not you, so its his problem to address.

In summary, you have a contract with your landlord. Your landlord has a contract with the agency. You do not have a contract with the agency.

N79

StretchedElf wrote: »

I've still not got my deposit back.

The landlord insists that the letting agency has the money and are supposed to release it when he instructs them to do so. He did this by letter but they claimed not to have received it. A copy including my contact details was sent by recorded delivery which they received but have not responded to. Phonecalls to them get fobbed off. It's been over a month since the landlord instructed them to release the money and they basically are ignoring us!

Is there any organisation I could maybe use who have a little weight. Are lettings agencies subject to a governing body who I could contact?

Yes there is an organisation that you can use that carries a lot of weight - the courts and laws of England! Stop mucking about and take your case, against your LL, to court!