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Landlord has installed CCTV INSIDE our house and will not return my deposit

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Comments

  • Olive_Oyl
    Olive_Oyl Posts: 198 Forumite
    http://student.spareroom.co.uk/accommodation/bow/0/344278/


    Here it is . Do you think this might deliberate by any chance ?
    Never tell .
  • stekin
    stekin Posts: 16 Forumite
    :-O

    That's the same URL for the old advert, but he has changed the text!!!!!

    I still have the screenshots of the old advert with this URL where it doesn't say it's every 4 weeks and is advertised at per calendar month and that it is £950 not £990.

    It's hard to say whether he has deliberately changed the old advert OR if he has just reactivated an old advert and changed it.
  • Olive_Oyl
    Olive_Oyl Posts: 198 Forumite
    edited 20 July 2011 at 5:07PM
    stekin wrote: »
    :-O

    That's the same URL for the old advert, but he has changed the text!!!!!

    I still have the screenshots of the old advert with this URL where it doesn't say it's every 4 weeks and is advertised at per calendar month and that it is £950 not £990.

    It's hard to say whether he has deliberately changed the old advert OR if he has just reactivated an old advert and changed it.

    Interesting . I wonder if he's going to pull the same trick on his next lodger .

    The contact number for the Student Room i Our office hours are 9am to 8pm Mon-Sat and 10am to 6pm Sun, UK time. You can either call us then, or leave a message on 0845 644 4029

    I think they should be informed .
    Never tell .
  • princeofpounds
    princeofpounds Posts: 10,396 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    You letter is too long and wordy, in my opinion.

    Make sure you take a picture of the CCTV system.
  • Yorkie1
    Yorkie1 Posts: 12,085 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    stekin wrote: »
    What do you all think of the letter I am going to give to him tonight? Would you change anything?

    LETTER BEFORE ACTION

    Dear Marten,

    I am writing to let you know that I will be moving out of your property on 20th July 2011, and expect to receive my full deposit of £xxx back within 14 days of this date.

    I am moving out because firstly the rent was advertised as £950 pcm (i.e. £11400 per year), yet I was forced to sign a contract under economic duress (with the threat of instantly having to move out) making this rent every 4 weeks (i.e.£12350 per year) .

    Secondly, I am not happy with all the CCTV in the communal areas, which were installed without informing your lodgers and against our wishes. Given that we have full outside CCTV coverage, an electronic gate system and an alarm, the instillation of this system is intrusive and a breach of privacy.

    Furthermore, you have failed to provide a cleaner as advertised for the duration of my residency.

    You have refused to discuss my concerns and following a series of unsolicited, aggressive and derogatory text messages received by you on the 17th July 2011 you have left me with no choice but to leave with immediate effect.

    The rent for my room is paid in advance to the end of this month and hence I am giving you ten days notice which in the opinion of myself and the professionals advising me legally is reasonable notice in all the circumstances.

    I have been advised by Shelter and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau that I have a strong case against you on the grounds of misleading advertising (I still have the original adverts), [STRIKE]Data Protection, [/STRIKE]Privacy and Harassment, [STRIKE]Economic Duress [/STRIKE].
    [FONT=&quot][/FONT]
    [FONT=&quot]Should I fail to receive repayment of my deposit within 14 days I shall start proceedings to recover the same through the small claims court.[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]Kind Regards,[/FONT]

    Probably too late as you're leaving in 15 minutes but I'd amend the letter as follows. You want to get your deposit back. There's no need to inflame the situation further by throwing in accusations of dishonesty.
  • debrag
    debrag Posts: 3,426 Forumite
    edited 20 July 2011 at 7:27PM
    Bow is a lovely area I used to live there, round the corner from this I think, why are you living here and not in a place with your partner you could easily afford one.

    he ad states 'paid every 4 weeks in advance'
  • hazyjo wrote: »
    I wouldn't expect anything to be done, but I agree it's not not normal behaviour. I too thought of the film Sliver.

    My first thought was one of the Saw movies! Yikes!

    Videoing your housemates is weird.
  • dippy
    dippy Posts: 290 Forumite
    debrag wrote: »
    Bow is a lovely area I used to live there, round the corner from this I think, why are you living here and not in a place with your partner you could easily afford one.

    he ad states 'paid every 4 weeks in advance'

    Bow isn't that nice! Frequently had calls for witness signs for murders, e.g. right in front of Bow tube station, next to Mile End tube station, etc.
  • taxsaver
    taxsaver Posts: 620 Forumite
    Yep, that advert has definitely changed since yesterday. I would say that he's realised that you have a valid point and is now trying to cover his tracks. It's good that you have a screen-print and I suspect that he won't wish to 'go legal' with you, so you will perhaps have the upper hand in the end.
    If you feel my comments are helpful then I'd love it if you 'Thanked' me! :)
  • misstasty
    misstasty Posts: 105 Forumite
    What authority? A crappy agreement he cobbled together in Word. Fight this tooth and nail

    What an interesting thread....it does read like a story...NOT that I'm saying you have made it up!!! What a creepy weird man this landord is!!!

    A contract is only worth anything of its legally bound...he has gone back on his side of the bargain right away by asking for rent 4 weekly so he can go and get his thrills somewhere else hun!

    Erm Citizens advice beaureu (spelling is rubbish its late)Should be able to shed some light on this for you....I think he is in breech of privacy rights by installing CCTV inside somewhere you have paid to live....I know my landord would no way get away with that.

    And for the record I think I would go all the way and take him to court...get some legal advice first and set out your case

    GOOD LUCK and get out as soon as poss.....the sound of him is making my skin crawl
    xx
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