Getting back a holding deposit from a letting agent?

robotgirl_2

A few days ago I made a rather gun-jumpy decision to put a holding deposit down on a flat (two weeks rent, so just over £200 quid). I have since had so many second thoughts about it that I have decided I'm not taking the flat, and if I lose the money then that's better than moving in there for the sake of *not* losing it.

However. I would like to have a stab at getting it back, because it is quite a bit of money and because if I don't I will feel like a right idiot. The form I signed does say that if I change my mind I don't get it back, but also "if your application is rejected for any reason other than bad references, we will refund the deposit"/

So does anyone know if I have any sort of claim on getting this back, or suggestions for some sort of Really Good Reason I could give them for why I now can't move in there? It, er, doesn't necessarily have to be true...

ruggedtoast

Im in the same boat robotgirl. Ive written it off in my head, I feel relieved that im not now moving somewhere i really didnt want to go in the end, rather than p'd about the money - although its the agents dishonesty that caused it , its my word against his.

robotgirl_2

Bump...

(I'm going up there later today as they were shut al bank holiday weekend, any last minute advice?)

becky_rtw

Hi Robotgirl,

I got mine back when me and then OH split up (as we were due to move in together), but I think that was just a case of the agents being nice because they felt sorry for me, and i was already their tenant on another property.

Becky

ruggedtoast

Well, what happened? I havent tried yet - though they actually should give mine back because they lied about the flat.