End of tenancy deposit -non-responsive landlord?

iPop_2

Hi there,
I have read through the guide on here but still a bit unsure what to do so any advice would be greatly appreciated:

• I recently ended my tenancy and moved out on Monday 19th April
• I received the inventory check-out from the letting agent on Monday 26 April, there was some notes in the inventory about things but there was no mention about any deduction from the deposit in the email from them and they advised they were contacting the landlord to wait instruction
• I have been chasing my deposit and had an email from the letting agent on Monday 10 May (3 weeks after the tenancy ended) to say they are still chasing the landlord as have not heard back and awaiting his instructions

The landlord was always a nightmare to get hold off and when you could get hold of him, he would make promises to fix things etc but then nothing would happen. 
Any advice on what I can / should do next to get my deposit back? I understand the deposit should be returned within 10 days of agreeing any deductions but what happens if the landlord is non-responsive in the first instance?  Is 3+ weeks standard time to wait for a response from LL? The letting agent keep deflecting and are saying they can't get hold of him and keep emailing and leaving voicemails.  At the same time the property has since been listed both for let and for sale.

Thanks in advance

user1977

Isn't the deposit held in a third party scheme?

Slithery

Just put in a claim for the full deposit back from the relevant scheme.

moneysavinghero

Request the deposit back from the deposit scheme.

iPop_2

It is held by TDS but I think the letting agent has to contact them to release it

grumiofoundation

If you login onto TDS there is no option for you to request it back? 

moneysavinghero

Checkout this:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/legal/housing_options/deposits/insurance_schemes
https://england.shelter.org.uk/legal/housing_options/deposits/custodial_schemes

theartfullodger

Understand you moved out, great.  But HOW was tenancy ended - notice from you or court order etc?  Moving out does not of itself end tenancy.

iPop_2

The tenancy was ended by myself with written notice and keys returned to letting agent etc.  Everything was fine with that regard and the letting agent have just said they will keep trying to get hold of the LL. 

Thank you for sharing the links to Shelter - I have just checked and the deposit is with the Insurance Scheme so it looks like the only option is to go via the courts 

RAS

I assume you had an address for the serving of notices? Send a letter before action, even better 2 posted the same day from different post offices, with proof of posting.

"My money back in full or I take you to court and will ask foe costs."

iPop_2

All the correspondence goes to the letting agent I don't think I even have the LL address? Should I send the letters to the letting agent who are the property managers?