Deposit Return - Student Accomodation

astreix

My daughter had rented a student accomodation with contract ending 31 Jul.  The rents were paid quarterly in advance and hence full rent was paid a few months ago.  She vacated the property and handed they keys back mid-June and has been chasing the landlord for her deposit. The landlord is just ignoring all messages/emails. 

As she needed the deposit money to cover next tenancy agreement she asked me to get involved and I spoke with the estate agent who rented her the property. He tells me even though the property was vacated and keys handed back in June - the landlord has 3 weeks from end of July to return deposit.

Does anyone know where we stand in terms of timing of deposit return?

BJV

Was the deposit protected? If so which scheme did the landlord use?

I would find out and contact them. They won't release any funds until the landlord agrees ( no damage etc ) but they will contact them.

MattMattMattUK

astreix said:

My daughter had rented a student accomodation with contract ending 31 Jul.  The rents were paid quarterly in advance and hence full rent was paid a few months ago.  She vacated the property and handed they keys back mid-June and has been chasing the landlord for her deposit. The landlord is just ignoring all messages/emails. 

As she needed the deposit money to cover next tenancy agreement she asked me to get involved and I spoke with the estate agent who rented her the property. He tells me even though the property was vacated and keys handed back in June - the landlord has 3 weeks from end of July to return deposit.

Does anyone know where we stand in terms of timing of deposit return?

The estate agent is correct, the fact that she has left the property and physically handed over the keys is an irrelevance with regard to getting her deposit back, the deadline for the landlord to return the deposit is based on the end of the contract. 

What paperwork does she have with regard to the deposit, does she know if it is in a deposit protection scheme?

astreix

Thanks for the replies. I guess we have to wait till next month to get the deposit back.

The deposit is protected with mydeposits

MattMattMattUK

astreix said:

The deposit is protected with mydeposits

They are legitimate so there should be nothing to worry about.

astreix said:

Thanks for the replies. I guess we have to wait till next month to get the deposit back.

In general most landlords who have the funds with a deposit scheme will be quicker than the three weeks. It is totally understandable that they will not refund until the tenancy has ended and they have confirmed the status of the property though. You could ask the agent if they property can be inspected on 01/08, see if they can help things move along. 

saajan_12

astreix said:

My daughter had rented a student accomodation with contract ending 31 Jul.  The rents were paid quarterly in advance and hence full rent was paid a few months ago.  She vacated the property and handed they keys back mid-June - irrelevant, the deposit is due some time after 31 Jul, regardless of when daughter chose to move out. 
and has been chasing the landlord for her deposit. The landlord is just ignoring all messages/emails. - premature and tbh, unreasonable given the deposit isn't even due back yet as above. 

As she needed the deposit money to cover next tenancy agreement she asked me to get involved - that's her problem, there's no expectation a tenant would have the money in time for the next rental. Its up to the tenant to save up during the tenancy for this. 
and I spoke with the estate agent who rented her the property. He tells me even though the property was vacated and keys handed back in June - the landlord has 3 weeks from end of July to return deposit. - correct, possibly longer than 3 weeks. 

Does anyone know where we stand in terms of timing of deposit return?

The deposit is due back within a reasonable timeframe after 31 Jul allowing for for inspection and quotes. You haven't even reached that point yet, so chasing now is premature. 

The fact that daughter decided to leave early is irrelevant - in fact she has a valid tenancy still so could request the keys back, if she needed summer accommodation. 

Advice: wait til mid Aug, and then chase if she hasn't received.