PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
Leeds Student Homes - withholding deposits.

2lions
Posts: 11 Forumite
Hi guys,
I'm just looking for a bit of advice for my student brother who's having major problems getting his deposit back from his former letting agent.
Situation is he moved out of his house June 30th, bills paid, house spotless. After several months of badgering his letting agent and many broken promises he's still not seen a penny. The postal strike, a new computer system and unpaid bills have been given as reasons for the delay, but he's always been assured that the money is on its way. Now the director of Leeds Student Homes, the letting agency which has now ceased trading, is saying he shouldn't expect anything back due to damage and unpaid rent.
What should he do?
Sadly he's not alone in this situation. His letting agent, Leeds Student Homes, seems to be pulling this trick on over 200 student houses. It's becoming something of a scandal at Leeds uni. See this article from the local paper, it probably explains the situation a lot better than I can. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/consumerwatch/Students-want-deposits-back.3378455.jp
Any help much appreciated
Jo
I'm just looking for a bit of advice for my student brother who's having major problems getting his deposit back from his former letting agent.
Situation is he moved out of his house June 30th, bills paid, house spotless. After several months of badgering his letting agent and many broken promises he's still not seen a penny. The postal strike, a new computer system and unpaid bills have been given as reasons for the delay, but he's always been assured that the money is on its way. Now the director of Leeds Student Homes, the letting agency which has now ceased trading, is saying he shouldn't expect anything back due to damage and unpaid rent.
What should he do?
Sadly he's not alone in this situation. His letting agent, Leeds Student Homes, seems to be pulling this trick on over 200 student houses. It's becoming something of a scandal at Leeds uni. See this article from the local paper, it probably explains the situation a lot better than I can. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/consumerwatch/Students-want-deposits-back.3378455.jp
Any help much appreciated
Jo
Yeah, I know!
0
Comments
-
I'm not sure about this - is Leeds Student Homes the Letting Agent or the Landlord? Whose name was on the tenancy agreement, that is, I think, the person you need to target.
I'd start by writing a letter before action, something like:
Letter Before Action
Dear Mr X,
Please return my deposit of £x which was held against the property at <address> within 7 days or we will begin proceedings to take you to court for return of the money.
Yours sincerely,
2lions bro.
Send it recorded delivery or hand deliver it with an independent witness.
My guess is they will declare themselves bankrupt & f'k off with the money, but at least you can try.
Good luck."Mrs. Pench, you've won the car contest, would you like a triumph spitfire or 3000 in cash?" He smiled.
Mrs. Pench took the money. "What will you do with it all? Not that it's any of my business," he giggled.
"I think I'll become an alcoholic," said Betty.0 -
If the company has ceased trading, it's unlikely you'll see any of the money again.
Sorry.
This is what happens when LAs don't seperate deposit money from LA company funds.Bankruptcy isn't the worst that can happen to you. The worst that can happen is your forced to live the rest of your life in abject poverty trying to repay the debts.0 -
Sorry, can see how my thread title is confusing. Can I edit that? Leeds Student homes is the letting agent. As far as I can make out the guarantor agreement my parents signed for my bro names his actual landlord.
Does responsiblity to pay up ultimately fall back on the landlord?Yeah, I know!0 -
Sorry, can see how my thread title is confusing. Can I edit that? Leeds Student homes is the letting agent. As far as I can make out the guarantor agreement my parents signed for my bro names his actual landlord.
Does responsiblity to pay up ultimately fall back on the landlord?
Try calling Shelter on 0808 800 4444
& report back so we can advise other people in future.
Good luck"Mrs. Pench, you've won the car contest, would you like a triumph spitfire or 3000 in cash?" He smiled.
Mrs. Pench took the money. "What will you do with it all? Not that it's any of my business," he giggled.
"I think I'll become an alcoholic," said Betty.0 -
Sorry, can see how my thread title is confusing. Can I edit that? Leeds Student homes is the letting agent. As far as I can make out the guarantor agreement my parents signed for my bro names his actual landlord.
Does responsiblity to pay up ultimately fall back on the landlord?A house isn't a home without a cat.
Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others.
I have writer's block - I can't begin to tell you about it.
You told me again you preferred handsome men but for me you would make an exception.
It's a recession when your neighbour loses his job; it's a depression when you lose yours.0 -
Does responsiblity to pay up ultimately fall back on the landlord?
Yes. Based on previous advice on this board, the LA is acting as an agent for the LL.
EagerLearner's case against the LA was dismissed as they were the wrong person to sue. However, that thread is useful to anyone pursuing their LL.0 -
My son rented a house with 4 friends from this agency, on behalf of the landlord. The company have just been on Watchdog as they are witholding approximately £275,000 in deposits from 1,000 students for the academic year 2006/7.
The company was run by 3 members of the same family. LeedsStudentHomes.com is now no longer in existence, but its directors are now running another letting agency in the same building, called YourStudentHomes.com.
University of Leeds Student Union is now handling the case, in which the owner of the company is denying holding deposits. He has been issuing cheques to some students which have subsequently bounced.
If you know of any students - brother / sister / child / friend who rented from this company & are unaware of the problems, please tell them to get in touch with the Students Union.0 -
ts_aly2000 wrote: »One of the arguments the company makes is that it's for outstanding utility bills.
The statement about utility bills is made because there are clauses in the students' leases which state that if utility bills are not paid up to the end of the tenancy, deposits will be withheld, which is fair enough.
However, the majority of the students have provided zero-balance bills, yet have either had no deposit back, or have been given cheques which have bounced.
THAT is where the problem lies, the fact that up to £250-300,000 of students' (or even parents') money is being held without grounds, by a company that is no longer trading under that name.0 -
floss2 - keep in mind that according to the OFT an unfair contract is unenforceable. Keeping the whole deposit for unpaid utility bills would probably be classed as unfair. An unpaid bill does NOT effect the landlord at all, it's a contract between the tenants and the utility company.
The OFT has a nice document for tenants at: http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/consumer_leaflets/general/oft381.pdf"One thing that is different, and has changed here, is the self-absorption, not just greed. Everybody is in a hurry now and there is a 'the rules don't apply to me' sort of thing." - Bill Bryson0 -
These are student leases, the untility bill element is a standard clause in Leeds. The deposits are being "held until proof of uility bills being paid is given", which is a common request in student accomodation in Leeds and normally results in most if not all of a deposit being returned.
LSU is trying to assemble a case against them, but the problem with that is the letting agency holding these deposits no longer exists.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.6K Life & Family
- 254K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards