landlord withholding deposit / no communication since I left flat

[saturn44]

Hi Mumsnet,

You all seem to be super helpful and knowledgable so I thought I would ask here.

I have read similar threads I am just not exactly sure on my own situation.

I vacated the flat I was living in more than a month ago.

My landlord took the flat back after me living there for 6 months for himself to live in. I was not a lodger and lived with another guy (both found the rooms on spare room. co . uk)

He only gave 5 weeks notice.

He never told me where my deposit was being held.

Since I left I have had no communication on giving back the deposit or even a break down as I said there were stains on carpet but I would pay for these to be cleaned.

Do I send him a letter before action or something different at this point?

Thankyou

I would send a letter and tell him you will be contacting the Small Claims Court in a week's time if you don't hear from him.

Regarding the stains, he could well have made more and try to blame them on you, so be prepared for that.

This will be my first communication to try and get deposit back

I am very confused which template I should be using from these templates.....

england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/downloads_and_tools/sample_letters

If he hasn't protected your deposit then you can claim for three times the amount.

I think you're meant to be told within 10 days of leaving the property what is being deducted from your deposit so that you can both agree to the amount within 30 days (which is when you're meant to have your deposit returned)

You can find out where (IF I supect) your deposit was being held by ringing the only 3 places it can be: DPS, TDS, Mydeposits

Follow this shelter link to their websites, call and ask them. england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_if_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected

If its not in any of those schemes, you can now write and tell former ll you know it was not protected, so return it in 48 hours or you will take him to the small claims court (where you will 100% win x3 of the deposit back). The form is easy to fill in, come back here and get help.

Dont worry about the letter to him, the templates are useful but anything will do.

Im a ll and I hate LLs like this, they mean more legislation, cost and time for everyone.

OP i had this problem before. Agree with Sunnyshores, check directly with the schemes, it is very straightforward.