Agent demanding money but I moved out 13months ago

[GRWATTY]

Can a letting agent demand payment for a property that I lived in over 13months ago and has had tenants living there since?
I moved out of the property into another managed by the same letting agent. I was allowed to use some of my deposit to cover half the deposit of the new property and I was signed out with no problems, whilst my old housemates remained in the property for another 12months. I have just moved out of my new property and the letting agency has just sent me a bill saying they are keeping all my deposit and asking for additional payment for my previous property that the exiting tenants must have damaged. They are also claiming that I paid £325 less deposit that I actually paid i have receipts but they wont admit they are wrong and say they will take me to court if I don’t pay.
Please help.
Graeme

1. i left the property with no outstanding rent, bills etc.
2. They have not provided any invoices or reason for the 'bill' for the old property
3. They did not return the additional money left from my original deposit, and refused to give a reason.

[Paul_f]

There's not a lot anyone can say other than we don't know the exact circumstances surrounding your problem. The agent doesn't seem to be that good having allowed you to transfer part of one deposit onto another property.

[GRWATTY]

Ive been with them for five years living in three different houses and i have always left the properties in perfect condition where the landlord is happy for me to recieve 100% of my deposit back. The only difference this time is i was the only one to moved out at the end of the tenancy agreement. a new guy moved in and signed a new tenancy agreement. I was signed out by the letting agent and the landlord was happy with the state of the property. Thats why the letting agent allowed me to use some of my deposit for the new property, although it might as well be all of it as i never recieved the remainder of it. The tenants that lived in the propoerty after me have just left, and i believe the property was quite damaged. They are now trying to claim money off me saying that it was damaged during my tenancy over 13months ago. which of course it wasn't. any ideas of what i should do.

[mind the gap]

Was an inventory agreed and signed by both parties when you moved in and when you moved out of the property where the LL is disputing the deposit? If not, I cannot see how he can claim anything from you at all.

Presumably, in view of the time frame here, your deposit wasn't protected...so you will have to threaten/take court action to get it back. File a claim on-line.

[GRWATTY]

An Inventory was created and signed when moving in and out of the property, with no problems indicated by the letting agent. They said that they would be happy to release 100% of my deposit, 75% of which went towards the deposit on the new property Which was (is) protected and it clearly indicates that i paid the full deposit required...which the letting agent still denys. Both houses were on a single tenancy agreement and the letting agent is trying to claim for the rent from another tenant, which i expected to have to fight for. What i am concerned about is the money they are demanding for damages to the old house which i am not responsible for.

[justaboutsane]

Sounds like you have lots of evidence in your favour. If the money is in a scheme then contact them and make them aware of the dispute. Let the agent/LL take you to court as it will cost them money and it sounds like you have the evidence to prove them wrong and will win!