I am currently legally subletting a room in a flat with the permission of the landlord. I have met the landlord, and so from this perspective all is above board.
When I moved in, it was agreed between myself and the current tenant that we would go by the terms of her contract with the landlord. I paid her a deposit, which she said (by email and by text) that she would put in a deposit protection scheme.
The next point will probably be important: from what I can remember, I did not sign anything formal or give any agreement to a contract in writing, that I can remember. I am going to ask her for a copy and see what she says. I don't have a copy myself.
In the year and a half that she has lived here, she has been claiming single occupant council tax, therefore committing fraud. The council contacted her before Christmas, asking whether I am living at the address (I am on the electoral register) and she is now saying that I should pay her the balance that 'we' owe from the time I started living here (about £300 each). Bills were agreed by email based on the amount of council tax she originally told me, which I have been paying.
I have now decided to move out (she has been quite nasty to me and I no longer want to live here).
What I want to know is:
- As she was the one that committed council tax fraud, am I liable for that payment?
- Can she withhold my deposit if I refuse to pay the extra council tax?
- If my deposit has not been put into a DPS as she agreed, what can I do to get it back if she will not return it?
Thanks in advance!