Advice on deposit return

Loafer

Hiya.. having a bit of a nightmare week and was wondering if someone could help me.
Basically, I am wondering where I stand with the return of my deposit.

I was previously lodging with a lady who owned the house and things didnt work out so I gave her my months notice, as agreed verbally when I moved in.

Well, it turns out that two days after accepting my notice, my landlady had a trial was sent to prison for 6 months!

This was news to me as in the month or so i lived with her, she never hinted at the trouble she was in, and even stated via text that I would get my deposit back at the end of my term.

The only was I found out was through her mother who had let herself into the house in order to collect some personal effects to send to her daughter.

It was through talking to her that I discovered she didnt even own the house and was unlawfully sub-letitng to me.

In terms of a contract, all I have are receipts for the rent paid and deposit, but no actual terms and conditions.

Her mother says that I will get my money at the end of the month as her daughter gets paid from her job prior to prison around then. However, she says that the actual owner of the house needs the key back before then.

On a legal standpoint, does anyone know where I stand in getting this back and what route I may have to go down. The small claims court springs to mind but I am not sure that £1 a week for the next 6 years appeals to me if thats all she is deemed to be able to afford.

Help, as always, appreciated!

BobProperty

Loafer wrote: »

.....Her mother says that I will get my money at the end of the month as her daughter gets paid from her job prior to prison around then. However, she says that the actual owner of the house needs the key back before then.....

Eh? "Illogical, Captain". If you are an illegal sub-tenant, why does the true landlord want a key back from you when as far as they know you aren't there and don't have a key? I think I'd be asking for the deposit back in full before I'd hand over the key. Though I might want to check if the tenant is doing time for Aggravated Assault on sub-tenants they'd previously fallen out with.
Other consideration is do you want to stay on there? I don't have much idea of your rights as an illegal sub-tenant. I'd suggest Shelter are probably the best people for advice in this regard.

Loafer

Thanks for the reply. Never thought about Shelter. The owner wants the key back from me as I have been "sold" as the actual tenants boyfriend.
Obviously the owner of the house had to find out the situation at the end of the the court case. The tenants mum let it slip that she had a lodger -that then became boyfriend.
The case wasnt for any violent crime so no worries there!!
I didnt want to stay there and have already found a place. I had already handed my notice in 2 days before trial.
Shelter should expect a call later.
Any one else have any houghts?