Estate Agent not giving me my deposit.

[Hiedi]

Firstly, I would like to thank all the contibuters to this forum as you make it a great place for support.

I have had a nightmare experience. Some of which I am too hurt to speak about (read my first thread). Basically I have had trouble with my flat mate and estate agent.

- The flat mate, didn't pay his bills and really messy. He eventually left and I didn't have to pay this side. The estate agent found a replacement who was marginally better but not much.

- The Estate agent has been dodgy, he has entered the flat, taken the flat mates belongings (when he didn't pay rent). I always paid my rent on time and I kept my room in the same condition that it was before.

But now I can't get the estate agent to pay my deposit back (£1000). First he asked for photocopies of all the final bills as proof and I posted them. I also gave him meter readings. However, I never got my deposit cheque in the post. Everytime I ring him, he says there are some issues to sort out and to ring him back when he is free but he is never in.

I finally got some feeble response saying that I still owe £140 for the electric bill. He said that I have to pay it over a period (even if I leave the flat). I told him that I closed the account and paid the outstanding amount. He said he lost the meter readings so I sent them again. I still haven't heard back from him and I am forced to do all the chasing. The deposit is protected so how should I proceed with this?

Dealing with this person is impossible and I think he is deliberately mistreating me because he knows I live miles away and so can't go to his office.

It should be noted that theres no quarrel with the state of the house.

He has never written to me and is trying to get some extra money out of me. What would you do in my shoes?

Is there anyone who I can report him to?

Thanks

H.

[jta]

Hiedi. Your contract is with the Landlord, not the Estate Agent. Ask for the LLs address, the LA has to give it to you, then take up your problem direct with him or her. Providing your deposit was protected you should get it.....eventually.

[mind the gap]

But now I can't get the estate agent to pay my deposit back (£1000). First he asked for photocopies of all the final bills as proof and I posted them. I also gave him meter readings. However, I never got my deposit cheque in the post. Everytime I ring him, he says there are some issues to sort out and to ring him back when he is free but he is never in.

I finally got some feeble response saying that I still owe £140 for the electric bill. He said that I have to pay it over a period (even if I leave the flat). I told him that I closed the account and paid the outstanding amount. He said he lost the meter readings so I sent them again. I still haven't heard back from him and I am forced to do all the chasing. The deposit is protected so how should I proceed with this?

Dealing with this person is impossible and I think he is deliberately mistreating me because he knows I live miles away and so can't go to his office.

It should be noted that theres no quarrel with the state of the house.

He has never written to me and is trying to get some extra money out of me. What would you do in my shoes?

Is there anyone who I can report him to?

Thanks

H.

Hiedi, you say your deposit was protected, but did the LL/agent supply you with details of the scheme used and your reference number for claiming back your deposit? If not, you can sue your LL for 3x the deposit. You can do this online and it's not difficult.

If it definitely has been protected, then contact the scheme and claim your deposit back. Their website will have details of how to do this. If there is no dispute (eg about the state of the property, unpaid rent etc), then you should get it back in full.

All the best - good luck.