Got a new property - can't afford deposit - help!

TwelveStopsThenHome

I'm about to move into a property thanks to my sister getting her manager let a flat she owns.

Unfortunately, through no circumstances of my own - I can't afford the deposit. It's around £1000, and I have spoke to my new landlady who is fine for me to pay £300.

This has happened that my current landlord refused to give my deposit back and did not hold this into a DPS scheme. The landlord has tried to basically trick us into paying money above the deposit into a council tax bill which does not exist as it was a HMO property I am in now. I resigned from my job, and was only paid £828. HR said this was correct, but I refuse to believe it as the council works in a month in hand and where are the three weeks I did in October.

What shall I do?

chris_m

Letter before action to the old landlord advising that if the deposit is not returned within a reasonable timescale (say, 14 days) you'll be claiming it through the small claims court.
As to your ex-employer and your doubt that your final pay is correct, I have no idea. Surely your payslip details what the £828 covered?

TwelveStopsThenHome

chris_m wrote: »

Letter before action to the old landlord advising that if the deposit is not returned within a reasonable timescale (say, 14 days) you'll be claiming it through the small claims court.
As to your ex-employer and your doubt that your final pay is correct, I have no idea. Surely your payslip details what the £828 covered?

Thanks for that Chris. I might try this avenue to get the money, but this landlord is so full of crap it is unreal. The bloke has many properties and runs three dodgy buisnesses from his home (Google is our friend here). Perhaps legal action is the only way people can learn?

re: resignation - I have not RECIEVED a payslip at all. I haven't even recieved a letter that I resign which is standard. This sounds so wrong and dodgy.

QBSBuck

Resignation should herald a P45, detailing pay and tax to date. This is what you pass on to your next employer.

G_M

There are several, unrelated, issues here:

1) New property. I tend to advise against letting to/from friends or friends of friends, as if things go wrong, it affects people's friendships. In this case, it could affect your sister's relationship with her manager - bad!

However, if the manager/landlady is willing to accept a reduced deposit (£300) that may be a deciding factor

2) the old landlord/deposit. Simple. The LL has broken the law by not registering your deposit. Write a letter, warning him to return your deposit in full within 7 days otherwise you will make a claim in court for 3 times the deposit. Quote the Housing Act 2004

3) Your job. No one here can comment on what you are owed without full details. See your union rep, or CAB

TwelveStopsThenHome

I was hoping my landlord would give the deposit back straight away, but alas no...he say we owe £900 in council tax from April this year. I've NOT seen a bill at all and the council said we are not responsible.

He bought round a statement, which could have come from any local authority in the Midlands!

Fire_Fox

If you have no savings and are relying in future income and returned deposits IMO you cannot afford your own place. Rent a room in a shared house - flats are incredibly expensive to run alone, especially in winter.

tbs624

G_M wrote: »

2) the old landlord/deposit. Simple. The LL has broken the law by not registering your deposit. Write a letter, warning him to return your deposit in full within 7 days otherwise you will make a claim in court for 3 times the deposit. Quote the Housing Act 2004

my bolding. Add "as amended by s184 of the Localism Act 2011"

Op the LL can be ordered to return the deposit in full plus pay a penalty of between one and three times the deposit equivalent. If you are on a low income you may be exempt from court costs, but if you have to pay them out make sure you include a claim for them in your court application papers. Google HM Court Services - there is a pdf on there about court costs.

tbs624

TwelveStopsThenHome wrote: »

I was hoping my landlord would give the deposit back straight away, but alas no...he say we owe £900 in council tax from April this year. I've NOT seen a bill at all and the council said we are not responsible.

He bought round a statement, which could have come from any local authority in the Midlands!

In an HMO the LL is reponsible for settling the CT bill but he can charge Ts a rent figure to cover the cost - what exactly does your tenancy agreement say about what your rent figure includes/excludes?

tbs624

Re your wages from your former job - *write to the payroll person at the firm ( copy in your old line manager) and ask for written confirmation of what the figure paid to you covers. Remind them too that they need to supply you with a P45. Don't forget that you may have payment for outstanding statutory holiday pay due to you.

If you aren't getting a decent response then, as G_M suggests, contact your Union Rep if you are a member of a Union.

You may also find it useful to contact the ACAS Helpline on 08457 47 47 47