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Paid for a deposit which was never done
ScottishScouser
Posts: 1 Newbie
Hi all. First ever post here.
Am renting a flat. Paid fees before I moved in. Was forced to sign, scan and return pages of documents at the start, which stated a minimum fee of £75 for an inventory. Was worried this may be in addition to the hundreds of pounds of fees I'd already paid - so emailed to check. They replied and said I had already paid for the inventory. I still have these emails.
Repeatedly asked for inventory via phone and email for weeks - never got one. Have since moved in. To protect myself when it comes to trying to get hefty deposit back, I did an inventory myself and took pictures etc. Now, quite reasonably, have emailed asking for my £75 back as I had paid for a service and I didn't receive, and in fact I've provided it to them. They replied and said I didn't pay for an inventory. My emails are clear evidence they're lying. I believe I should be entitled to the money back.
Where do I go? I tried Trading Standards, but was told my city council has completely cut the service. They pointed me to the "National Consumer Helpline" who couldn't help. So....would I go to a solicitor with this? Would I stand a chance of winning? And where would I go?
Incidentally, same estate agents also gave out my personal info - personal mobile number, full name, full address, personal email address to third parties without my consent. I'm reliably told this is breach of data protection law. Can I threaten them with action over that as well if I have to?
Thanks to anyone who read this. And thanks in advance anyone who replies.
Best,
SS.
Am renting a flat. Paid fees before I moved in. Was forced to sign, scan and return pages of documents at the start, which stated a minimum fee of £75 for an inventory. Was worried this may be in addition to the hundreds of pounds of fees I'd already paid - so emailed to check. They replied and said I had already paid for the inventory. I still have these emails.
Repeatedly asked for inventory via phone and email for weeks - never got one. Have since moved in. To protect myself when it comes to trying to get hefty deposit back, I did an inventory myself and took pictures etc. Now, quite reasonably, have emailed asking for my £75 back as I had paid for a service and I didn't receive, and in fact I've provided it to them. They replied and said I didn't pay for an inventory. My emails are clear evidence they're lying. I believe I should be entitled to the money back.
Where do I go? I tried Trading Standards, but was told my city council has completely cut the service. They pointed me to the "National Consumer Helpline" who couldn't help. So....would I go to a solicitor with this? Would I stand a chance of winning? And where would I go?
Incidentally, same estate agents also gave out my personal info - personal mobile number, full name, full address, personal email address to third parties without my consent. I'm reliably told this is breach of data protection law. Can I threaten them with action over that as well if I have to?
Thanks to anyone who read this. And thanks in advance anyone who replies.
Best,
SS.
0
Comments
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Is this in England? If so the letting agent should be registered with one of 3 redress schemes. Start by using the letting agent's complaint procedure and the escalating to the redress scheme.
https://m.england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/problems_with_renting/letting_agent_redress_schemes0 -
and bear in mind that no inventory is to your advantage when it comes to the end of the tenancy.0
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