Should I warn my landlord of TDS?

tashydodah

moneysavinmonkey wrote: »

I'm finding it hard to understand how you can be so complacent - unless you earn mega bucks it's really worth your while to do this!!

by the way - what what and what to the carpets, debt + paint!!
why did you pay for these things???!!!!

Because they are two males who have used bullying tactics in the past and I'm a 22 year old female who lives alone.

The carpets were £360 (got the cheapest I could find) I assumed he was going to put carpets in because they mentioned it before, but I was waiting forever and it was a dump! It's meant to be a furnished flat

The paint only cost £40, but it took forever because I had to strip the walls, as there was ripped paper everywhere.

The debt was a debt on a past tenants electric metre. He gave me the number and told me to get tokens on it, but it was charging me a higher rate because of the tenants debt. I've switched numbers now, but still havent got the money back from the electric company.

This lists the faults:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=775281

moneysavinmonkey

once your tenancy has finished just post (recorded deliver) a letter to your landlord requesting return of your deposit within 14 days,
if you don't get it back follow up with a second letter,
then a final third Marked with LETTER BEFORE ACTION - in this final letter give a deadline by which you will file court papers.

The claim for you deposit back + the 3x penalty can be separated so you can if necessary. Personally I would wait until end of your tenancy and if you don't get back deposit file both claims under one action to save time/money +also keep on your landlords goodside until you are out of there!
Nothing to stop you filing for the 3x penalty fee claim straight away though!

moneysavinmonkey

tashydodah wrote: »

This lists the faults:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=775281

Bl**dy hell, have just read that thread. That is terrible.
Is the landlord still turning up without notice + bullying you
- I would call local police station + report him for harassment.

Do you have his address now. You will need this to file the court papers.
I'm a 25 year old woman so not that much older than you- get yourself reading websites like this one + shelter + consumer-rights and stand up for yourself! Don't pay for things that aren't your responsibility.
This mans behaviour is not on - he has not kept to his side of the contract and you should not be letting him get away with it.

If you were promised a furnished + decorated flat then by all means add the cost of the paint + carpet to your court claim.

You'll have to sort out the electricity with the electricity company though as I don't think that is the landlords responsibility.

tashydodah

He does turn up without notice for the rent. I pay it in cash because thats what he prefers for some reason. I get a written receipt, and I ask him to come on the date its due at 6pm, and he never does! Someone was banging on my door yesterday, but I didnt answer because I'm just so sick of him not even bothering to contact me first. (the rent is not due)

Yeah I know the electric isnt his fault, but he shouldnt have given me a number for a past tenants card which had a debt on it.

I looked at the electrol roll for his name (the landlords son is the guy i deal with mainly and thats who i looked for) under his name, popped up his dads name, and another woman. To make sure I searched his brothers name (I was sneaky to find that out) and that came up with the son I deal with too. I then searched bt phone book for all the names, the only one that came up was the mothers name, number and address which is obviously where the landlord lives (not the son). Would that be good enough?

I still have the receipt for the carpets, so I'll see what CAB say about that - I MUST GO MONDAY

Thanks for the help.

moneysavinmonkey

your welcome. best of luck. :beer: do pop back and let us know how it went with CAB and if you need anymore advice!

tashydodah

Will do!

I'm still a bit confused!

How can I prove I made an attempt to get my deposit back? By recorded delivery? Plus, how can I ask for my deposit back when I've not actually moved out of the property? I'm guessing I'd have to say in reference to the TDS, but surely I should be asking him to put it into a scheme if thats the case. But whats the point in putting it into a scheme for one month?

I've changed my mind, I'm gonna do this while I'm living here. There will be a cross over if I hopefully get another place at the end of the month, so I wont have to feel scared because I wont be here.

Sorry, just so much info to read! Its getting confusing.

tashydodah

Also, Id have to get the deposit back first, right? Otherwise I'd be claiming 1600, possibly 1960 with the carpets and small claims is 1500?

neverdespairgirl

tashydodah wrote: »

He does turn up without notice for the rent. I pay it in cash because thats what he prefers for some reason.

No doubt owing to his full and frank relationship with the tax man....

Small claims is up to £5k, sometimes more if it's a simple money claim.

tashydodah

Ok thanks!