Deposit issues!

kstar1

Hey guys, I would like some advice on the following situation.
My tenancy ended in May of this year and the landlord inspected the flat and found everything to be satisfactory but he requested copies of the utility bills (all have been paid). I was sharing the flat with three other people and we each paid a single utility bill e.g. I paid the water bill. However, after emailing him copies, he never replied and judging by his comments did not even bother checking. The other 3 people have all received their deposits, without having to show their bills (gas/electricity mainly). Getting worried about the situation, I contacted the estate agent and have been told that I have to provide all the bills for the last month, not just the one I paid if I wanted my deposit. I am having some problems getting these bills as my flat mates are have gone abroad and even when they return, I have not guarantee that they will have kept copies. This is a problem because I was relying on the deposit to put down a deposit on a new flat in the next month.

Is he allowed to withhold my deposit, holding me accountable for the bills of the other tenants just because I asked for the money last? Sure he should have withheld everyone's money. I feel as though I am being forced to do his job.

Also, if I were to take the case to small claims court what sort of outcome could I expect?

Thanks in advance.

Werdnal

Was tenancy in England/Wales?

If so, was deposit protected in a scheme?

BitterAndTwisted

Were all of those bills in your own names? If so, the landlord has no reason to withhold your deposit as if there were unpaid bills the landlord would not be liable for them.

Don't stand for any of this nonsense.

kstar1

The tenancy was in England (London). I am trying to confirm with the estate agents whether the deposit was protected but cannot say so at this moment. The bills were indeed in our names.

Are you guys sure the landlord cannot do this, I did not really think this would happen so I am not sure if this was specified in the contract (providing evidence). I don't want to take this further only to lose.

G_M

Check the deposit was protected yourself. Contact each of the 3 schemes.

Write to the LL requesting return of your deposit within 5 working days (and if NOT protected point out you can claim 3 times the deposit as a penalty under the Housing Act 2004.

Actually claiming this has proved difficult for tenants in practice but hopefully the LL won't know!

If the utility accounts were in your name they are nothing to do with the LL.

Assuming the deposit IS protected, raise a dispute and use the relevant scheme's arbitration process.