Getting my 'non refundable' fee back.

user_dilbert · 11 September 2012 at 11:28PM

I have paid money on a rented flat which includes the estate agent fee and a holding fee.

Unfortunately the intended move in date is not what myself and the estate agent (EA) agreed, it is much later.

Obviously I am expecting it will be straight forward to get my money back as the problem was not my fault; in fact the EA actually knew the current tenant had the right to remain in the property for a number of weeks after my required move in date but still took the money and caused me a lot of unnecessary hassle.

Should I expect any foreseeable problems in the money I have paid to be returned?

Given the circumstances I am more than willing to go to court to get it back should this be the case, but I would rather the problem was solved amicably.

thelem · 11 September 2012 at 11:47PM

Only one way to find out - ask the agent. If it was me I'd be asking for twice the fee back as they had broken their end of the deal.

user_dilbert · 11 September 2012 at 11:55PM

thelem wrote: »

Only one way to find out - ask the agent. If it was me I'd be asking for twice the fee back as they had broken their end of the deal.

I've not signed the official contract for the property. However, the estate agent and myself have counter signed a receipt which is an A4 piece of paper with the move in date printed, the money I have already paid and the balance remaining.

I was initially wondering if the paper I have signed was a legally binding contract, I'm not sure if it is. All that I know is that we have both signed an agreement and money was exchanged.