OK, just typed a really long message then lost it, so this is the shortened version :o
A friend and I have just moved out of a rented property. The estate agent told us that they would be keeping some of our deposit back to pay for repair work, but then refunded us the entire deposit, plus sent us an invoice through the post confirming that the full amount was refunded, and none retained. A week later, they then sent us a letter asking for payment of the money that they had originally said they would keep back from us.
Now we've had a letter from a debt recovery agency, saying that they've been instructed by the estate agents to collect the money from us immediately, or we'll be taken to court.
Now, I've lived in a few rented houses before, and never known a landlord to refund the full deposit, then ask for some of it back. As I understood it, once they've given the money back to you, it's your money again!
Advice from anyone with a legal background would be greatly appreciated, please!