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AIBU?

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Original poster

Blinking flat deposit hell

35 replies

earplugged · 28/08/2018 21:29

Honestly I've been having an absolute nightmare getting out of the flat from hell, let by the agents from hell with the neighbours from hell and landlady from hell. She's now refusing to return my deposit until I send written confirmation that all bills have been settled in respect of this property. All bills have been settled (I moved out on 21st August) and SSE sent me an email today stating closure of gas and electricity accounts at previous address which I pdf'd and sent to her and she is not accepting as proof. End of my bloody tether here, this whole process has made me physically ill, can she demand final statements? Never experienced this before..

OP posts:
stillnotTheDoctor · 28/08/2018 21:32

Has she properly secured your deposit?

Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 21:35

Th agent (from hell) stated it was secured with Mydeposits, when I checked on the website and used their search facility it states that there is no record of that address being secured as a deposit.

OP posts:
Oakmaiden · 28/08/2018 21:39

You should have received notification that from MyDeposits that your deposit had been, um, deposited with them right at the start of your tenancy.

If you haven't had this I would ask the agent/landlord for evidence that your deposit is in a TDS. If they can't provide that then I'm afraid it is time for legal advice [https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/if-your-landlord-doesnt-protect-your-deposit]

Cloudyapples · 28/08/2018 21:44

Contact shelter - if she’s not protected t she may have to pay you a large compensation of between 1 and 3 times the original amount. Here’s the link if you want to send it to her - bet she’ll cough it up sharpish when she reads it england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/tenancy_deposit_protection_rules

Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 21:44

Yes you're right, I just didn't chase it up at the time and just checked and they definitely didn't send any confirmation. Urgh...this gets worse...

OP posts:
Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 21:45

Thanks cloudyapples I will send it to her.

OP posts:
Cloudyapples · 28/08/2018 21:45

Also aren’t unpaid bills between you and the company you owe? Landlord can’t be liable for the bills in your name? So not sure they can demand this info.

Cloudyapples · 28/08/2018 21:48

If it’s in a scheme she should be able to provide you with the details so you can login from your side and dispute her withholding it I think - so if she can’t provide proof it’s in a scheme then she’s the one in the wrong.

Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 21:48

Yes, cloudyapples my understanding is that the bills are none of her business and she isn't liable, however she has insisted on seeing them all so I have spent best part of Friday and today holding in phone queues to try to get the documentation.

OP posts:
CSIblonde · 28/08/2018 21:48

Can you access final gas/elec statements online or ask for copies to be sent you? If she didn't secure your deposit you can go to Court and get up to 3times its value back. Download the small claims court forms off their website, and fill in 'in draft' and & send her a copy (cc in Agent) saying there's no evidence you deposits in the email scheme (screenshot) & I am proceeding with this claim unless I am reimbursed. (worked with my incredibly dodgy LL.).

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 28/08/2018 21:52

Final bills are none of her business as she's not liable at all tell her to give you the details of where the deposit it held or you'll seek advice regarding claiming about that !

Cloudyapples · 28/08/2018 21:57

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/tenancy_deposit_compensation_claims You can find a template letter to send on this page

theunsure · 28/08/2018 21:59

Speaking as a landlord that follows the rules, yours is either Stupid or Corrupt (possibly both).

Make merry hell. She does not need to see bills and has no rights to. If she has not protected your deposit she is in the shit. Have you checked any of the other deposit schemes? Although you should have received confirmation either way.

CasperGutman · 28/08/2018 22:09

If she didn't secure your deposit you can go to Court and get up to 3times its value back.

If she hasn't protected the deposit you can (potentially) get your deposit returned plus up to three times the deposit as compensation.

Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 22:10

I can't seem to get closing statement from SSE, I will chase tomorrow. She has everything else.

I think she is stupid and corrupt and the agent are total scumbags. Getting a migraine about this now...

I have looked at the other two schemes and as I have no access codes I can't check if it is covered.

Basically I think it is just not covered. FFS.

OP posts:
EmmaJR1 · 28/08/2018 22:15

Not ffs - KERCHING! My sisters LL didn't protect her deposit (approx£1k) on her initial contract or when they added her dp and renewed the contract and when he tried to withhold it at the end of tenancy she took him to court and won over £5k!!'

Stop chasing proof of paid bills and send your LL the letter as suggested above!

Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 22:18

Thanks EmmaJR1 I'm just really exhausted by it tbh, it's been 11 weeks of pure hell. The thought of going to court and extending this nightmare is really depressing.

OP posts:
egdehsdrawkcab · 28/08/2018 22:20

OP you don't need any reference codes to check if your deposit is secured. I've just learned that mine is not secured with any of the three agencies (they all have online search functions you use your post code/name/deposit amount and tenancy start date to search).

I'm about to make merry hell with my C@NT landlord (I NEVER use that word). He really is vile. Has been since I moved in. I'm moving out in 2 weeks, cannot wait and I'll be seeing him in court for my compensation.

I hope you get yours back.

egdehsdrawkcab · 28/08/2018 22:21

Download, edit, and email the Shelter template letter. Hopefully they'll pay up before it gets to court stage.

Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 22:22

egdehsdrawkcab I just tried again and was able to check all three, none have my deposit Angry

OP posts:
Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 22:22

egdehsdrawkcab good luck with yours, and sorry you're also dealing with complete twat Sad

OP posts:
specialsubject · 28/08/2018 22:27

forget the bills, just write a letter stating that you owe nothing and you have now found that the deposit was not protected (law since 2007). say you therefore request its return in full or you will take action.

and then sue anyway. I am also a landlord and slime like yours deserve no mercy.

lalalalyra · 28/08/2018 22:29

I would inform the landlord and the agency in writing (proper writing - send it recorded delivery) telling them that you have contacted MyDeposit and they have no record and request the details again, reminding them that bills are between you and the companies and not a legitimate reason to withold a deposit.

Original poster
earplugged · 28/08/2018 22:30

Shit, I just checked again and found it is protected at DPS, I will call them in the morning...

OP posts:
egdehsdrawkcab · 28/08/2018 22:30

It is utterly exhausting and hugely stressful.

My LL has treated me like his PA since I moved in. From waiting around for countless tradesmen who failed to fix any of the numerous issues because he never went through with their advice, to the email he sent me yesterday asking when I was free to meet his architect this week as he wants to do an extension.... this after his disputing my half day emergency leave reimbursement to meet emergency plumbers because the soil pipe was broken (he'd have known) and spilling actual shit into the garden.

Sorry to derail! Rant!!

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