Can I get my deposit back because they have requirements to let

dekaspace

As in I put a deposit down for a flat and failed credit check(to me it would be easier to do credit check first for that very reason) so they have told me if I want to take flat I have to pay 6 months in advance or get a guarantor neither of which I can do, and now they say since I cannot get this they can keep my deposit! I told them when viewing I was on benefits and had no one to help me.

They do have a good rep as an agency bar lying about not charing fees as their website states they dont charge fees (for things like credit checks) but their get out is when you put a deposit down they say its a third party that charges for the credit check therefore its not them,

thesaint

What does your receipt state about the conditions of your deposit?

Guest101

It depends what they said. I suspect at saturday around 11am with clients in, you kicking up a stink about them withholding your deposit would be very effective.

Did they spell out their criteria when you paid

dekaspace

They gave me terms AFTER I originally paid, all it says about deposit is that if I withdraw the deposit is non refundable, I also signed no tenancy agreement.

The terms state things like if I fail to get references to them within 7 days of paying deposit MAY be forfeited.

I just spoke to shelter and they say its illegal, I was also miffed about the agency lying about not charging fees then claiming its a third party that charges them and they have no control over it(so I am paying a fee just not to them)

Guest101

dekaspace wrote: »

They gave me terms AFTER I originally paid, all it says about deposit is that if I withdraw the deposit is non refundable, I also signed no tenancy agreement.

The terms state things like if I fail to get references to them within 7 days of paying deposit MAY be forfeited.

I just spoke to shelter and they say its illegal, I was also miffed about the agency lying about not charging fees then claiming its a third party that charges them and they have no control over it(so I am paying a fee just not to them)

a few points:

1: you are paying them a fee, what they choose to do, ie outsource their referencing is their business. You're contract is with them.
2: Which scheme are they a member of (ARLA?) - whats the website (without the www. bit)
3: who's name is on the terms?
4: they cant serve terms after payment. the terms are what you agreed to when you handed the money over. Which in this case is nothing by the sounds of it