Deposit & Landlord Problems

cherryredcutie

Guy_Montag wrote: »

Now you have his name (is it a common one?)

Have you tried, for example, 192.com to track down his address?

I have, there are 2 entries for the name but they are in the electoral roll and you need to sign up and pay extra money to view them .

merlinthehappypig

irnbru wrote: »

What items? You don't have an inventory ......

Familiarise yourself with the machinations of EagerLearner's thread on deposit recovery.

Agreed. My understanding, from previous advice on here, is that without an inventory signed and agreed by both parties at the outset of the lease, then the landlord wasn't legally entitled to withold any deposit.

irnbru_2

cherryredcutie wrote: »

I also have written to the agency and the 21 days are almost over and we also called them up but they won't give us the address over the phone.

Contact Trading Standards, explain the issue and how the agency are in breach of the act by not divulging the address.


Can't you visit the agency in person?

cherryredcutie

We could go to the agency in person but we'd rather not. Is there maybe anyone who has access to the 192.com site to help me out? I'd be very grateful!

Guy_Montag

cherryredcutie wrote: »

We could go to the agency in person but we'd rather not. Is there maybe anyone who has access to the 192.com site to help me out? I'd be very grateful!

Just how grateful?

cherryredcutie

topletters wrote: »

Hi

I note that the letting agent did not provide you with a signed inventory. When they gave permission for you to keep or dispose of those items, did they state as such in writing or was it by a phone call? Have you also pointed out to them that they said you could keep or dispose of those items?

The permission was giving via phonecall except for a sofa which was via email. I haven't pointed out anything to them yet as they hadn't given me a list of items.

Today I got a letter from them with an inventory list which is not dated or signed by us and I have never seen it before. They state we certainly have had a copy of it when we moved in which is not true. We also got a list of the estimated value of the items which was done by the landlord apparently. Also they say that the carpet had to be steam cleaned, they never said anything about that when we checked out with the agent personally at the flat (the carpets were already stained when we moved in and we cleaned them when we left).

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

I wanna take them to court but I am not sure if I can use the estate agents address for the landlord as they managed the flat for him. I will call some legal advice centre and see what they say.

Cherryred

Lavendyr

Without your signature on that inventory I cannot imagine they have any possible proof that you have ever seen the inventory. When we moved into our last two rentals we have had an independent inventory and have had to initial every page of it to say we've seen and agree to it, and sign at the end.

Legally the agent has to provide you with the landlord's address within 21 days of your request while you are a tenant, but I dont' know what your rights are once you have left I'm afraid. Sorry not to be more help!

Advice for next time is to take dated photos the day you get into a property, especially if you don't get an inventory, as then you do have a very definite leg to stand on.

cherryredcutie

Hey Lavendyr,

thanks that's as far as I know as well . Luckily we have bought a house now and hopefully will never have to rent again, the whole thing as put me off!

olly300

You can't use the estate agents address for the landlord, and even if you could estate agents are very good at getting out of court proceedings so I wouldn't even waste your time trying.

I suggest you pay the money to 192.com and get the landlord's actual address or pm Guy and take up his offer off help.

It looks like you have got an agent and/or LL who thinks your deposit belongs to them.

Guy_Montag

olly300 wrote: »

You can't use the estate agents address for the landlord, and even if you could estate agents are very good at getting out of court proceedings so I wouldn't even waste your time trying.

I suggest you pay the money to 192.com and get the landlord's actual address or pm Guy and take up his offer off help.

It looks like you have got an agent and/or LL who thinks your deposit belongs to them.

I was just being suggestive, checked to see if we have anything at work, but unfortunately not. She should be able to check at the library, but I imagine 192.com will cost a few ££.