Issues with deposit return

R0bft3

My sons tenancy came to an end recently and he's struggling to get the deposit returned to him. The property was in perfect condition and he & I have been assured no deductions will be made for the state of the house. However the landlords agent is claiming they have not received the last months rent. The rent is paid direct to them from Housing Benefit. I've talked to the council several times over the last 2 weeks and they have said that the rent was 100% paid and received by them. The agent however is still saying they've not got it. We've checked the account details are correct - They are. The council have advised that the issue must be with their bank. They will not release the deposit until they have confirmed they have had this payment. Where do we stand on this? What can we do to get the deposit returned?

Tansy_1980

Ask the council to provide a statement of account for your son's claim. Reconcile this with any rent in advance and shortfall payments paid to the landlord to ensure that the money due and the money paid tally up. If there are no arrears and the landlord will not return the money, approach the company that has protected your son's deposit and initiate a dispute.

R0bft3

We have done this. Currently, the only amount outstanding is the last months rent which is slightly less as it was not a full month. We have confirmed the amount paid by the council but the agent is claiming the last payment they had was in April for the period March-April. But the final payment for April-May, they are certain they have not received. We're going around in circles with this. Not really sure how to resolve it.

Pixie5740

So there is rent outstanding then? Your son should pay it and then if the landlord still won't release the deposit your son needs to raise a dispute with the deposit scheme using the statement from the council to prove no further rent is due.

AnnieO1234

Can you put the figures here? Together with the relevant dates?

xxx

R0bft3

From our point of view, no there is no rent outstanding. The Council pays his full rent direct to the landlord. It never goes to my Son. We have checked that the Council have paid this, seen a statement detailing the payments they have made to the landlord and the periods for which they cover. There should be no arrears on the account. However, the agent is claiming the final payment was never received by them. But it HAS been sent. It just seems to have gotten lost. Nobody can explain what has happened to it. It's been paid this way to them for 7 months with no issue prior to this. The account details are correct - We have checked and so has the agent. There doesn't seem to be any reasonable explanation for why they would not have received it.

I was hoping to resolve it without having to raise a dispute with the deposit company but yes, should it come to it, I will submit evidence of payment to them.