Landlord not returning deposit AND acting illegally?

clutton_2

lynz ""He even went as far as to *suggest* that if the LL chooses to be out of the country & not appear for the hearing then it would be decided in our favour"

i was merely thinking of eagerlearners experiences - if the LL does not have an address in the UK (whether this is legal or not) then the papers cannot be served by the court surely ?

If papers are not deemed to be served, then surely no hearing can be held - as under our system of justice the defendant has to be given the opportunity to defend himself against the charge.

lynzpower

Clutton, I suspect now you put it like that, there could be scope for avoiding the charges.

However, I expect that he will have an office somewhere or an address where the insurance docs get sent to and the like. Otherwise, do we presume that he may be avoiding our freind the taxman as well

Did he ever use a letting agent Sam? As if he did the notices AFAIK can be served there - as the private lettings officer advised me to take action against her AND the LA, and they would basically fight it out among themselves ( LA held deposit for a while) going back a few years now, though so I cant remember absolutely the detail.

clutton_2

i do know that legally re CORGI gas safety law-compliance that both Agent AND landlord are held jointly responsible for compliance - i imagine the rest of the tenant/landlord legislation is written on the same premise.