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AIBU?

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To send a complaint via someone’s LinkedIn? Letting agent taking the piss!

6 replies

LifeIsPainHighness · 06/06/2023 20:07

I applied for a rental property 2 months ago and paid a 1 week holding deposit of £250. The landlord eventually rejected my application suddenly because I had a historic settled CCJ (something I was honest about from the start they just got cold feet even after I’d been sent the tenancy agreement and everything).

The letting agent initially wasnt going to give me my holding deposit back because of the CCJ - and I fought with them over this as I’d acted honestly and legally they can’t regain deposits as long as you’ve been open and truthful

Anyway, 3 weeks ago after 5 weeks of emails and me threatening to go to Trading standards, they FINALLY agreed to give me the holding deposit back and said it would take 5-7 working days. A week goes by - no money in my account.

Ive since sent 5 emails chasing it and spoke to the agent yesterday (I had to wait a week to speak to, apparently, the only woman who deals with these bloody things as she was on annual leave) who said “Oh you should have had it I’ll check with accounts and let you know by the end of today”

Still not a dickie bird and my email again today has been ignored.

It makes me angry because I bet anyone who doesn’t pay rent they’re on their backs within seconds - yet they can mess me around for months!

WIBU to complain to the CEO via LinkedIn? I can’t find their work email anywhere but they’re there and I don’t know what else to do, it’s really pissing me off.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 06/06/2023 20:08

I would. £250 is not a small amount

HadalyEve · 06/06/2023 20:10

Just go to Trading Standards. In meantime contact Shelter and Citizens Advice. They’re calling your bluff. Linked in to the CEO isn’t going to make a difference except to potentially sabotage your case.

Aprilx · 06/06/2023 20:14

I don’t truly think it is appropriate to contact somebody over LinkedIn, which is their personal account, over a business matter. It also is not a Trading Standards matter. This is a civil matter, if you want to take it further, send a letter before action and then lodge a small claim.

LifeIsPainHighness · 06/06/2023 20:40

@Aprilx it absolutely is a trading standards matter and Shelter advise reporting to Trading Standards as a course of action if holding deposits aren’t returned

OP posts:
EsmeSusanOgg · 06/06/2023 20:47

Aprilx · 06/06/2023 20:14

I don’t truly think it is appropriate to contact somebody over LinkedIn, which is their personal account, over a business matter. It also is not a Trading Standards matter. This is a civil matter, if you want to take it further, send a letter before action and then lodge a small claim.

Not true. Letting agents are not allowed to charge a non-refundable 'holding fee' in the UK. In many parts, they're not even allowed to ask for one.

OP should use whatever avenue is available to get a refund, as the letting agent has broken the law.

HadalyEve · 07/06/2023 08:39

LifeIsPainHighness · 06/06/2023 20:40

@Aprilx it absolutely is a trading standards matter and Shelter advise reporting to Trading Standards as a course of action if holding deposits aren’t returned

go for it then. Show them you were not bluffing.

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