Deposit Refund for Student House Accom

Lady_K

How long should it take to recieve back the £175.00 each deposit on a student house accomodation that my daughter moves out of on 30th June?

She asked the landlord when they would recieve it as all 4 of the tenants are moving out on the same day and he said he wasn't sure maybe August as he had to get some cash together (he has a chain of houses)

What is the procedure with this? would he return it direct to her bank? She has paid him by direct debit every month although 2 of the other 4 didnt they paid him by hand.

I just wondered what is the correct way to go about this. All the utility bills and water bill have been fully paid up to date so there will be nothing outstanding.

Guy_Montag

If I was being kind I'd give him 28 days, if I was being unkind 14 days. Maybe 21 is the best, you want to get the money from him first (i.e. before the tenants of his other places).

Ask him if he'd prefer to pay direct into their/your account or to pay by cheque. Then write to him giving him a date to return the deposit by with the method. It's his bad management if he can't get the money together, it's not like it's unexpected is it?

olly300

What does it say on the contract? Most contracts say a month or 28 days as the maximum.

However if the contract says nothing do as Guy says.

Lady_K

It was a 48 week tenancy and he put in writing to them all a little while ago stating that they all have to vacate the property on this date. He has a lot of student houses, something like 15 or more in the same area

I thought August was a long time and hes not mentioned how hes going to return it. She hasnt put anything in writing yet. The room is exactly as she moved into it apart from some damage from a burglary they had I just didnt want him getting funny if she put it in writing by holding her responsible for these things

Guy_Montag

Lady_K wrote: »

It was a 48 week tenancy and he put in writing to them all a little while ago stating that they all have to vacate the property on this date. He has a lot of student houses, something like 15 or more in the same area

I thought August was a long time and hes not mentioned how hes going to return it. She hasnt put anything in writing yet. The room is exactly as she moved into it apart from some damage from a burglary they had I just didnt want him getting funny if she put it in writing by holding her responsible for these things

Just keep it simple.

Dear Mr. LL,

As you know we are vacating the flat on 30th June, we will ensure that all utilities are paid up to this date. We look forward to receiving our deposits by banktransfer/cheque/whatever by the 1st August 2007.

*Some rubbish about how much we enjoyed the year & thanks for the help when the such & such broke down, to make him feel good about himself*

Yours sincerely
Miss_K

don't forget to keep a copy.

Don't mention anything about damage - all you're doing is setting a reasonable boundary, to give you a stick to beat him with if he tries to pull a fast one.

Lady_K

I have the tenancy agreement here she kept it here for safekeeping. It doesnt seem to mention anything at all about a deposit although she says they have a reciept for it I don't know if it states on it that its actually for a deposit. She actually paid him that deposit a few months before too to hold the room so he wanted it that early yet doesnt want to pay it back too fast.

The tenancy has everything else covered though to cover himself

Guy_Montag

He probably wanted the deposit early to pay off the previous deposits. That's why you want, in writing, a firm date. Otherwise if he fails to get new tenants for a long time she could be waiting a long time.

I guess what I'm trying to suggest is you make sure you end up at the top of his repayment list & if there's a problem it will cost the people further down the list. Especially since he'll have to protect the deposits of the next batch which might make things more awkward.

28 days is very reasonable.

Lady_K

I don't know if she would want to put how much she enjoyed it, they were burgled and she lost more than anyone in the house, her car has been damaged to the value of £400 and she lost the one parking space so its cost her a fortune in council car park fees. The landlord also put someone in they didnt know and its cost them hundreds in bills(long story) They are moving for thier last year to another student house rather than stay there. He knows its not been enjoyable there

Lady_K

I will tell her though yes its a good idea and maybe having hers in writing may keep her more in mind for the earier refund.

She actually paid her deposit around february last year when she moved in the place in July

olly300

Lady_K wrote: »

I don't know if she would want to put how much she enjoyed it, they were burgled and she lost more than anyone in the house, her car has been damaged to the value of £400 and she lost the one parking space so its cost her a fortune in council car park fees. The landlord also put someone in they didnt know and its cost them hundreds in bills(long story) They are moving for thier last year to another student house rather than stay there. He knows its not been enjoyable there

I remember you now

Then just state something factual and positive sounding i.e. living in the house allowed me to live with 2 of my close friends near to university.

[Translation- there was a weirdo in the house which you put in and the house was a dump.]

Your daughter may as well brush up on her skills of writing something positive sounding when it actually is meaningless, as she may end up managing in people in her job and have to write reports and references.

Also if you end up going to small claims (hopefully not) you will look like a reasonable person.

Melissa177

I am fairly sure that 14 days is standard. 28 days is far too long. The LL shouldn't "have to get the cash together", he should be holding it in trust so that you all get it back at the end of the tennancy.

What if he had a house repossessed half-way through the year, and the repossession took all his money?