Countrywide will not release Deposit.

aqua111

My Partner has rented out a house to a couple from South Africa.
They returned to South Africa at the end of November and as they had lived in the house for 12 years we agreed he would use the deposit for the last months rent.
I sent this information by Email to Countrywide and the Tenant also sent this information to them.
I rang Countrywide to make sure that all was in order regarding this matter and they confirmed it was.
Today half the deposit arrived after many phone calls and they say as only one of the Tenants had agreed they are not allowed to pay us in full.
We have no forwarding address for the couple so what happens now?

PaulW922

The agent will have a forwarding address - how else can they forward the remaining deposit on? As the tenants owe you that money I would suggest you make it clear to the agent, in writing, that there is an o/s debt, which the tenants are joint and severally liable for and ask them not to repay it. Then see what happens..

G_M

What a load of ***. Did the 'lead tenant' contact the deposit registration scheme to agree to the full amount of the deposit being released to the LL to cover rent?

If yes, the scheme should release the deposit in full.

If no, how dd the agent get half the deposit........?

Which scheme was used?

Is the outstanding amount with Countrywide (ha ha!) or the scheme?

aqua111

They do not have an address as the couple were going to look for a place to rent when they arrived.
I asked local office what they intend to do with the money and they are going to check with Head Office as they did not know.

aqua111

G_M wrote: »

What a load of ***. Did the 'lead tenant' contact the deposit registration scheme to agree to the full amount of the deposit being released to the LL to cover rent?

If yes, the scheme should release the deposit in full.

If no, how dd the agent get half the deposit........?

Which scheme was used?

Is the outstanding amount with Countrywide (ha ha!) or the scheme?

Will ask Countrywide all questions tomorrow!!!!!!

aqua111

The Tenant who sent the Email was the wife.
She worked and paid the Rent as her husband had not worked for several years due to illness.
She looked after all finances and spoke for them both.

Guest101

Load of crock, suggest a very frank discussion. Release the deposit or lose a client and face a law suit.

aqua111

Will ring them tomorrow!!!!!! !!!

G_M

Guest101 wrote: »

Load of crock, suggest a very frank discussion. Release the deposit or lose a client and face a law suit.

Assuming it is Countrywide who are witholding the deposit I agree 100% (or 110% to quote myself on a recent thread).

If for some reason it is the deposit scheme that refuses to release it (doubtful) then that is a different kettle of fish.

BitterAndTwisted

If the tenancy was twelve years long I doubt that the deposit would have been registered with any of the schemes.

Countrywide are obviously making things up as they go along. This is not the way I'd want to be treated after such a long business association. Think how much they have creamed off in commission after such a long time.....

Jenniefour

G_M wrote: »

Assuming it is Countrywide who are witholding the deposit I agree 100% (or 110% to quote myself on a recent thread).

If for some reason it is the deposit scheme that refuses to release it (doubtful) then that is a different kettle of fish.

I would be going with Guest101 on this - especially has G_M has put his 110% endorsement to it.