Rental Deposit - may not be secured

cifpower

I will be ending my tenancy on 10 July after 2 years. I have already given my notice. I have not, however, found somewhere else to live as yet!

I can't remember where my deposit was secured so I just text my landlord's agent to ask for the deposit ID etc. She replied with:

We usually give you all that info when we provide move out instructions around 2 weeks before tenancy ends

Now this strikes me as odd because I should have received a letter from the deposit scheme. I am 90% sure I didn't. I checked with all three and they could find no record of a deposit being secured at my postcode with my surname in July 2013.

Now, because I have yet to find somewhere new for July, my landlord has not provided his reference for me. Should I let the deposit thing lie until I leave? Bit worried that the reference by turn sour. Also, if my deposit was not secured, would a county court claim for compensation be worth it?

Guest101

Its not compensation, its a penalty payment.

its 1-3x your deposit. (so yes worth it)

Why have you served notice a monther early?

cifpower

Guest101 wrote: »

Its not compensation, its a penalty payment.

its 1-3x your deposit. (so yes worth it)

Why have you served notice a monther early?

I gave two months' notice because I was certain I was leaving; and it gives me impetus to find somewhere and to save enough for the end of June! Hopefully the viewing this evening all goes to plan.

thesaint

cifpower wrote: »

Now this strikes me as odd because I should have received a letter from the deposit scheme.

I am not sure who told you that.

Guest101

cifpower wrote: »

I gave two months' notice because I was certain I was leaving; and it gives me impetus to find somewhere and to save enough for the end of June! Hopefully the viewing this evening all goes to plan.

Ah the gift of hindsight.

Well more fool you on that part.

But more fool the Landlord on the deposit. I would suggest you negotiate as follows:

1: Reference now for future use
2: full deposit returned
3: 1x payment of the deposit

In exchange you wont take court action against the LL and LA.

The above to be done prior to move out.

cifpower

thesaint wrote: »

I am not sure who told you that.

Each of the websites I have checked say I should receive a deposit protection certificate. Is this not the case?

Guest101

It could be email.

Equally the LL is responsible for serving you with prescribed information (terms and conditions and deposit id number etc) with-in 30 days of paying the deposit.

Clearly they havent.

Phone each scheme, confirm it wasnt secured in august, then follow my steps above.

cifpower

Guest101 wrote: »

It could be email.

Equally the LL is responsible for serving you with prescribed information (terms and conditions and deposit id number etc) with-in 30 days of paying the deposit.

Clearly they havent.

Phone each scheme, confirm it wasnt secured in august, then follow my steps above.

Thank you. Much appreciated.

fairy_lights

I would reply to the agents email and tell them that regardless of when they usually provide that information, you want it NOW, and if they can't provide it you will have to assume the deposit was not protected and take action.

G_M

Read:

* Deposits: payment, protection and return