Deposit question (renting)

uktyler

We moved into a rented flat over a month ago, rented through an Estate Agent. As yet we have not received a copy of our tenancy agreement, deposit scheme, or the updated inventory. When we ask we are told that they have not had these back from the owner. I know they should send us the deposit protection scheme within 14 days, so what is our next step?

prudryden

Did you pay the deposit to the estate agent? If so, I believe that the agent is responsible for registering the deposit and should notify both you and the landlord. This has recently been discussed on the landlordzone.

tbs624

Whose name appears on the Tenancy Agmt - the LAs or the LLs? It's usual for you to be given a copy of the agreement at the time of both parties signing it.

Write to the LA (rec delivery or hand delivered) formally requesting your copy of the tenancy agreement, the prescribed information from the relevant deposit protection scheme, and the updated inventory.

If you don’t have the name and address of your LL already, ask for thatin your letter too (they have 21 days to comply with this request, although they can just give the actual address as c/o the LA)

Mention in the letter the dates on which you have already requested this information, and the name of the person you spoke to. Give them 5 working days maximum to get the information to you.


Type onto the top of the letter itself that it was sent Rec Del/Hand Del and keep a copy for your records. (Even where there is no written tenancy agreement , a tenant has to be given a statement of the key terms of a tenancy within 28 days of being asked for it in writing.) Many LAs are lazy, and once they have you signed up and paying rent they’ll try to do things at their own pace.

It would have helped Tenants if the no of days for compliance on these issues could have been standardised by our lawmakers , instead of 14 days for deposits to be lodged, 21 days for LL info, 28 days for tenancy terms but hey ho………….


PS you can check with the 3 deposit schemes yourself,see here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/DG_066391 but don't discuss that with the LA - they still have to comply with the law, and do what they are paid to do.