Problem with agency and deposit

kksweety

Hey, sorry for the rant in advance.

Myself and a friend moved into a property in Sept 09 on a 9 month fixed term contract. When it came to move out the agency we went through tried to basically force us to stay an extra month by lying to us. I went to an advisor at uni and that all got sorted. So we moved out at the beginning of June.

Now, the agency is holding our deposit as bills haven't been sorted. But, we have never had any electricity bills. I have asked the agency about 10 times who it is with since we moved in. The meters are locked and we are not given access so I can't give companies the serial number to find out.

I have been told that the property developer has not registered the flats but that the building is a plot number. I have been told by the agency that this has been sorted and I will be getting a bill.... that was 2 weeks ago...

Since I havent recieved a bill I called EDF (the agency claim they are the provider) and they don't have anything at all registered for this address....

Any advice on what to do next? Would it be worth seeking legal advice?

Thanks

kksweety

Also, the agency seem really dodgy to me... we've had an awful time with them... especially for repairs when we were without hot water for 2 weeks.

I do not think they have our money in tenancy deposit scheme, I've never recieved anything from them saying that it is.

mynameisdave

Who does your contract say should pay the bill?

How does the agency know the bills haven't been paid? If they are in your name then surely the supplier would not advise them the status of someone elses account?

If you should pay the bills why have the LL or the LA not informed the supplier that you are resident and liable for the bills.

As far as iI am aware if the bills are in your name then it is your debt and will follow you, not the property so they are wrong to withold the deposit anyway.

tbs624

kksweety wrote: »

I do not think they have our money in tenancy deposit scheme, I've never recieved anything from them saying that it is.

So check direct with all 3 schemes - DPS, TDS and mydeposits. If yur Uni advisers didnt tell you to check that one out they were a bit sloppy. Get confirmation either way today , then it's formal letter writing time.

Post back here when you have checked with the schemes.

kksweety

Hi,

Thanks for the replys. After spending an awfully long time on the phone to EDF I have got an account number and everything set up. I contacted the agency basically saying I would now like my deposit back or I will be seeking legal advice. They gave it me back same day. Deposit defo wasn't in TDS, they wrote us a cheque there and then (was going to give us cash but like hell I was walking through that area with that much cash on me).

Will stay very very clear of them in future.

Thanks again