Getting deposit back.

atmlord

Hi, I have paid a deposit of £350 to the landlord. However I no longer want to rent the property. I haven't moved in yet. The tenency starts at june and I haven't signed the tenency agreement yet. So am i entitled to get my deposit back seeing the tenency hasnt started and nothing has been signed?

Thanks

spunkeyrich

Did you not get a reciept when you put down your deposit saying something like deposit for the address? you must have something or other. I think you need to contact the agent quick.

rich

Wings

In the same situation that you posted, then my receipts given to prospective tenant who for reason or another does not take up the tenancy then their deposit would be refunded. I believe though that a landlord would be acting reasonably if he only refunded the deposit if he were to find new tenants to take up the tenancy in June.

Topsy1_2

If the LL took the property off the market after agreeing tenancy terms with you, he might argue that he has missed out on potential tenants in the interim and hold onto your deposit.

However, as the tenancy start date is still quite a way off, in theory he has plenty of time to find replacement tenants and the deposit may well be refunded. But you do need to check the small print on any receipts/paperwork that has changed hands so far.

As Wings suggested, LL may hold onto deposit until a replacement tenant is found in order to mitigate the loss of any rent should he not find a tenant before June. This is normal so don't worry, but do be sure to get this agreement in writing. Once LL has found a tenant, and assuming replacement tenant can move in on, or before, the date your tenancy was due to start, you should get the full deposit back.

HTH.