Letting Deposit question

colcheslad

Hello all,

I have a bit of a long winded (sorry!) question about deposits released from my previous (terrible) letting agents. Just to give you a bit of (probably completely irrelavent) info on my situation, I moved into the property in March 2007, with the letting agent at the time assuring me that the contract I was signing was a 12 month tenancy, however I would be able to break after 6 months without penalty. After enduring the awful property (toilet that kept leaking even after being repaired, mould growing, damp, ceiling leaking when it rained heavily, noisy neighbours etc etc) for a whole 4 months, I wrote to them to advise that I was taking my option to break, and intended to vacate the property at the 6 month mark. I was then sent a letter stating that upon terminating the contract within 12 months, they would deduct a 'Reletting fee' of 65% of 1 months rent. Looking at the contract, they were right and there is a clause involving this, completely my fault for not reading it properly (despite their reassurance breaking it after 6 months would not incur any penalty).

Anyway, now I have vacated the hovel of a property I once dwelled, they have sent me the remains of my deposit, deducting an administration fee, the reletting fee and a cleaning charge (of which a receipt is not present). The contract clearly states that the landlord should return the deposit after 30 days of terminating the contract, however the cheque they have sent is dated 16 days later than 30 days after vacation (and I only got it then due to constant pestering on my part).

My question is, am I entitled to any compensation because of the delay in sending the cheque? Could all their charges be meaningless due to the fact that they have broken the contract in not sending me the deposit on time? There's nothing I would like more than to get all of my deposit back, not just for the money but to seek revenge for the terrible service I received throughout the tenancy.


Any advice very much appreciated!
Many thanks
Colcheslad

SquatNow

Unless you ended your contract early, ALL the charges are meaningless. If there was a 6 month break option, your free and clear.

Immediately contact the letting agengt by recorded delivery DEMANDING the reurn of the rest of the money immediately, advising that if they don't return it you will IMMEDIATELY begin court procedings.

Their T&C were ridiculous and I'm sure any judge will agree. Terms like that are illeagle AFAIK. They can't charge you a reletting fee, that's up to the landlord to pay.