Greedy Landlord

pmagroup

I recently vacated business premisies after 3 years of renting. The letting company thanked me for my tennancy and promised to return my deposit. 5 weeks after I left my deposit had still not been returned. I chased them for this. They sent me a letter stating that because I had been sent 20 letters regarding overdue rent during my tennancy there would be a charge of £20 + vat per letter! £464.13 in total. This is to be deducted from my deposit! I have checked over the tennancy agreement and there is no mention of a charge. Other than rent due and potential service costs, there appears to be no reference to a late rent payment charge. The service payment also makes clear that any service payment due must be notified to the tennant no more than 3 months after they are due with a breakdown of how they occured. None were recieved. (I do not think a potential service charge applies to the rent ?) The overdue letters do not state a late payment charge either. The overdue letters do contain a standard sentence regarding possible additional expenditure if the rent is not paid, but I never recieved during my tennacy any letters regarding a £20 charge per overdue letter. I was never more than 20 days late with the rent. Are the company entitled to make this charge after I have vacated the property and consequently reduce my deposit by this amount? I would be grateful for a response as I intend to pursue this matter through the courts in nesessary.