Hi, please could someone knowledgeable give me some advice?
I have tried to contact my landlord and the letting agency on several occasions to find out whether the deposit is protected. Judging by their response or lack of I can only assume it's not.
I have written up a letter before action notice using the help of a template from the Shelter website and in it also clearly stated the issues such as the lack of an inventory. I intend to send this by registered post asap.
The problem is, in this notice letter before action, I am required to state that he has 14 days to reply. I'd happily take him to court if he doesn't do the right thing but I'll be out of the country by about the 16th day.
So, will I still be able to take him to the local county court as threatened or will I have to sue him in a court local to where I am moving? Any idea how that would work? I could come back for a week in the holidays if necessary.
Also the letting agency are refusing to return my holding deposit. Any ideas on how to go about getting that back? Do I go via the Property Redress Scheme they are registered with?
Must add I have kept the place clean if not always especially tidy and have photos to prove it. Also always paid my rent on time and been polite towards them (a struggle at times!). Agency have been unreasonable from the start and landlord hasn't been very nice either. Relations with both have reached the point of no return.
glub