Aggressive Landlord

pborojon

Hi All,

Wonder if someone can help.

I moved out of a rented property I'd been there for 18 months. I left in a bit of a rush but everything was paid and I conented to my deposit being used for the last months rent. My ex landlord has now been on saying I owe 3 months rent (I paid the last 3 months in cash as I'd switched bank accounts and didn't transfer the standing order but didn't get a receipt. My own fault I know!)

She has also said the room had to be redecorated ect but this isn't true as I made sure it was cleaned from top to bottom before leaving. She has passed my details on to some debt collection company who are now threatening me. At no point did she ask me to sign a tenancy agreement but I honoured my end anyway.

Help??

maninthestreet

No written tenancy agreement, so both she and the DCA don't have a legal leg to stand on. Ask the DCA to send you a copy of the tenancy agreement.

clutton_2

even tho you have no paper tenancy agreeement - the fact that you paid rent and lived in a LL's property forms a legal Tenancy. But it does mean it is difficult to prove when you left without an AST. Dont let Debt Collectors worry you - they have no legal authority and if you keep on writing to them, telling them the debt is in dispute, they may eventually give up as they are often paid only on their collection results. They will send you documents which look like court documents to frighten you - dont be intimidated by them.

did she give you an inventory to sign when you moved in ? if she did not - she has no legal case re her having to redecorate as there is no proof of the state of the flat when you moved in.