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Original poster

No contact from landlord after two weeks about returning deposit

17 replies

Coldsummer · 15/08/2017 21:59

Hi, So I left my rented flat two weeks ago after six months of living there.

I had a £750 deposit.

My landlord never told me which scheme he placed the deposit into.

When I left, I do admit that there was some damage to the carpets due to myself however there were already stains on the carpet.

The only contact I have had from him was "what have you done to the carpets" (via WhatsApp) and "whose bucket is in the hallway and how long has the leak been there?" - this leak is an ongoing issue which is from plumbing problems from a long time ago, but I text him to let him know but heard nothing back.

Even if he has taken money out of my deposit for the cleaning of the carpets - I have not heard any contact about my deposit or what money is being taking out.

How long do I wait to contact my landlord and how do I go forward?

Thankyou :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Coldsummer · 15/08/2017 22:00

Also - I wasn't sure if it was ten days to which deposits are returned or thirty days, thanks :)

OP posts:
moreismore · 15/08/2017 22:02

Legally he has to lodge it with a tenancy deposit scheme so press him for those details as if he hasn't done it you can go after him legally.
The TDS hold the money and he supplies evidence of damages and tells them how much he wants to withhold. They then contact you and see if you're happy. If you're not you supply your own evidence and then they make a decision and refund money directly to you. Did you go via letting agent? If so they should have TDS details.

moreismore · 15/08/2017 22:03

Ps did you have an inventory? If not he can't withhold anything.

gillybeanz · 15/08/2017 22:03

I'm not sure if this is the same but my tenant and myself had passwords to the deposit secured in the scheme.
I nor she could retrieve the deposit without the other.
so, if I thought I needed recompense for something she didn't get all the deposit back.
Both parties had to agree on the amount before return of deposit.
It's a stupid scheme as my last tennant didn't claim her deposit back and it's still sitting in the scheme.

Original poster
Coldsummer · 15/08/2017 22:28

I rented out just the room from him. He owns the whole flat. I got it through spare room . co . uk. I was never sent any details of which deposit scheme the money was put into , no passwords or anything as such.

"Legally he has to lodge it with a tenancy deposit scheme so press him for those details as if he hasn't done it you can go after him legally." - Do I just email him and ask him for these details?

Since I left I literally have only had one WhatsApp and one text from him asking two questions.

"did you have an inventory? If not he can't withhold anything." - No, he gave me no inventory when we moved in or out. We did not do a run through.

He asked me and my flatmate to move out on Saturday 29th July but him and I had paid for the whole of July so we should have had up to Monday 31st July to move out.

Thankyou for your help. I feel like he just thinks I'm really stupid and have no idea of any rights I might have.

OP posts:
traviata · 15/08/2017 22:32

you could take him to court - if he didn't put the deposit into a scheme and give you the prescribed information within 30 days, the court will award you 1-3 times the amount of the deposit as well as the deposit back ( minus any legitimate deductions).

see here Shelter

Original poster
Coldsummer · 15/08/2017 23:25

"you could take him to court " - traviata - would I wait to see if he contacts me in the next week or should I just go forward with this now?

Is this hard to go forward with?

OP posts:
Original poster
Coldsummer · 15/08/2017 23:31

I was confused as to whether he should of told me within 10/30 days as to what is happening with my deposit

OP posts:
Original poster
Coldsummer · 15/08/2017 23:31

Thanks for all your help BTW everybody

OP posts:
moreismore · 16/08/2017 08:22

I would contact shelter, they were very helpful when I had a dispute with a landlord. Depending on your income they can help with legal stuff. It sounds like your landlord is on very dodgy territory but I think it would help you to have some RL support tackling him, which is what shelter can provide.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/08/2017 08:24

Have you got a contract? And a receipt for the deposit?

YellowLawn · 16/08/2017 08:27

so you were a lodger? or a tennant in a shared flat without the ll living there?

OurHouseAtTheEndOfOurStreet · 16/08/2017 08:30

Agree with all the advice here. I will say though that you are far more likely to get some answers if you actually phone and speak to him rather than just sending texts which are easy for him to ignore.

Original poster
Coldsummer · 16/08/2017 08:37

I was a tenant with another flatmate. There were two bedrooms. The landlord did not live there.

OP posts:
JJXM · 16/08/2017 09:59

You can go onto the three deposit protection websites - Mydeposits, Deposit Protection Service and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme - and check if the hold your deposit - you'll need the deposit amount, date tenancy was started and address.

If none of these schemes has your deposit then send your landlord a Letter Before Action to the address which is on the front of your tenancy agreement for serving notices. Tell your landlord that he had a legal responsibility to protect the deposit and say that unless it is returned in full you intend to sue him for up to 3.5x the deposit amount. If he still doesn't reply them start a claim through moneyclaimonline (I think).

traviata · 16/08/2017 21:55

There are some Letter before Action examples on the Shelter website, and they have a helpline you can call.

Original poster
Coldsummer · 20/08/2017 17:44

Thanks everyone . I'll be writing my letter tonight Smile

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