Max estates deposit not returned

G_M

Oatsinthedark wrote: »

According to shelter i was a fixed-term assured shorthold tenant.

And I paid my rent to the landlord by standing order.

Yes but who did you pay the deposit to......> ?

:huh:

Oatsinthedark

I paid them to Max Estates, the landlord

Oatsinthedark

I will also add that they did not protect the deposit either...

G_M

Then see the link previously provided:


* Deposits: payment, protection and return

shandymanuk

G_M wrote: »

1) was this an AST? Please clarify the type of occupancy. If not sure, use

2) Did you pay a deposit to the landlord or his agent? If so
a) it should have been protected and
b) it's for the LL/agent to return it - not a new tenant

But if you paid your deposit to an outgoing tenant then
c) the LL did not receive it so did not need to protect it and
d) you will have to reclaim it from the ex-tenant to whom you paid it

Check the other thread. Max Estates have been using Licence to Occupy, due to Max Estates, BBC's Rip Off Britain are doing a piece on Licence to Occupy (Originally was meant to be a piece on Max Estates).

The problem is, there are a lot of people who've never rented before or just not as educated in what an AST is, who've gone through estate agents, who didn't make it clear what the situation was regarding this and so people are learning the hard way. A lot of the people I spoke to, who got screwed over by Max Estates have been like this, they go to estate agents, like Haarts, etc, who Max Estates are using and the agents are not being clear about these not being on proper ASTs. Some people have at least managed to get money back from the estate agents for the money paid to them, which is only a small part of the deposit, due to the misselling (as agents said that deposits are protected, that these are normal tenancies). Unfortunately, and wrongly, people are trusting that the estate agents are telling them the truth.

The Licence to Occupy states they are to return the deposit 14 days after moving out and Max Estates had said to me, and others, that they would contact with 14 days to confirm bank details for the return of the deposit. Estate agents should have a responsibility for making sure everything is explained and clearly understood. You see there being steps put in place with other industries, and with mortgages and lenders having to be responsible, that the agents are being made to ensure the people understand clearly, so property rental is the area that does not have this in place.

shandymanuk

theartfullodger wrote: »

So sue the b+at+rds

Max Estates/Nicholas Sutton have been taken to court, but they tend not to turn up. People have won against them, but still not gotten their money back, seemingly as the company is in negative equity. It's a con and if you look Nicholas Sutton up, he's on Wikipedia, with a history of deceitful tactics in regards to property.

Comms69

Surely they have plenty of assets against which to leverage a charge

shandymanuk

Comms69 wrote: »

Surely they have plenty of assets against which to leverage a charge

Max Estates supposedly does not have any assets. It seems he’s been creative with this.

theartfullodger

There are many Max estates & he has many companies.

dimbo61

Have they go an office ?
Perhaps standing outside with a big board !