Advice needed - former landlord being difficult
Discussion
Hello all. Some suggestions needed please.
I recently moved out of my rented place and emigrated.
I'd been living in a shared house with my landlord and another tenant. It was all very smooth and easy when I was there and no contract was signed (foolish, yes, but that's how it was).
Anyway, on moving out the landlord said he would have my deposit ready the day I left - towards the end of August. He didn't, but he's a busy man and having got on pretty well with him and never had any problems before, I just left him my bank details and asked him to send the cash through.
A few weeks went by and no cash, so I called him to enquire, he apologised and said he would do it asap. All very pleasant still.
A few more weeks go by. I send him an enquiring email. Nothing. Then another. Nothing.
Then I sent a more strongly-worded email and got a note back saying he was going to deduct 300 quid of the 450 for money outstanding to the cleaners (fair enough) and the cost of repainting the room. Apparently there were a few marks on the wall and repainting just one wall wouldn't match things up.
I thought this a bit harsh - I'd only been in there a few months and repainting an entire room for a couple of scuffs on a wall is a bit much - but let it pass. Fine, I said, get the remaining 150 to me asap please.
Few more weeks go by. Nothing. Another email to him, nothing. Followed by a fairly stark email expressing my displeasure and suggesting that he's taking the p*ss a bit now. Indignant reply from him saying he didn't like my tone, followed nevertheless by a promise to pay the 150 asap.
That was the best part of a month ago and he's now ignoring my emails completely.
What should I do? I'm damned if I'm going to let him waltz off with my money, but things are complicated by me now living abroad. Yes, I should have got a formal contract with him, but didn't. I do, however, have emails between us, bank records etc.
Is legal action a possibility, or even just threat of it? I have a solicitor friend that could knock me up a letter, but is this the right course of action? I've pretty much run out of ideas now, but I want my money back. Not just because money is money, but for the principle of the thing.
Suggestions welcome. Thanks.
I recently moved out of my rented place and emigrated.
I'd been living in a shared house with my landlord and another tenant. It was all very smooth and easy when I was there and no contract was signed (foolish, yes, but that's how it was).
Anyway, on moving out the landlord said he would have my deposit ready the day I left - towards the end of August. He didn't, but he's a busy man and having got on pretty well with him and never had any problems before, I just left him my bank details and asked him to send the cash through.
A few weeks went by and no cash, so I called him to enquire, he apologised and said he would do it asap. All very pleasant still.
A few more weeks go by. I send him an enquiring email. Nothing. Then another. Nothing.
Then I sent a more strongly-worded email and got a note back saying he was going to deduct 300 quid of the 450 for money outstanding to the cleaners (fair enough) and the cost of repainting the room. Apparently there were a few marks on the wall and repainting just one wall wouldn't match things up.
I thought this a bit harsh - I'd only been in there a few months and repainting an entire room for a couple of scuffs on a wall is a bit much - but let it pass. Fine, I said, get the remaining 150 to me asap please.
Few more weeks go by. Nothing. Another email to him, nothing. Followed by a fairly stark email expressing my displeasure and suggesting that he's taking the p*ss a bit now. Indignant reply from him saying he didn't like my tone, followed nevertheless by a promise to pay the 150 asap.
That was the best part of a month ago and he's now ignoring my emails completely.
What should I do? I'm damned if I'm going to let him waltz off with my money, but things are complicated by me now living abroad. Yes, I should have got a formal contract with him, but didn't. I do, however, have emails between us, bank records etc.
Is legal action a possibility, or even just threat of it? I have a solicitor friend that could knock me up a letter, but is this the right course of action? I've pretty much run out of ideas now, but I want my money back. Not just because money is money, but for the principle of the thing.
Suggestions welcome. Thanks.
I had great use of TDS when I had problems with a former landlord.
http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/
http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/
I tend to mentally write off all or most of my deposit as a 'cost of living' when I hand it over... I have usually negotiated the rent down to cover the loss anyway... just doesn't seem worth all the f
king around it takes to get it back in full.
The last place I was in, the agency charged us for blown light bulbs (you know the stupid little halogen spots that die every 5 seconds) and the filter in the cooker hood... after openly acknowledging that the place looked miles better than when we moved in...
king around it takes to get it back in full.The last place I was in, the agency charged us for blown light bulbs (you know the stupid little halogen spots that die every 5 seconds) and the filter in the cooker hood... after openly acknowledging that the place looked miles better than when we moved in...
i don't think there is anything much you can do. Try money claim online but since there is no paperwork; contract receipts etc there is no guarantee of success.
Alternatively, tell him you are going to be back next week and if the money is not in your account you will be paying him a visit. Should move things along.
Good luck.
pp
Alternatively, tell him you are going to be back next week and if the money is not in your account you will be paying him a visit. Should move things along.
Good luck.
pp
Thanks guys.
While I don't have formal contracts etc, I do have emails in which he admits what he owes and saying that he'll pay it. That not worth anything?
Like I say, it's not a huge amount of money and I won't overly miss it, but it riles me to think of that smug git getting away with being a cheeky sod.
Will I lose anything by getting my solicitor friend to send him a letter?
While I don't have formal contracts etc, I do have emails in which he admits what he owes and saying that he'll pay it. That not worth anything?
Like I say, it's not a huge amount of money and I won't overly miss it, but it riles me to think of that smug git getting away with being a cheeky sod.
Will I lose anything by getting my solicitor friend to send him a letter?
OP, although you do not have a formal contract, there is still a statute contract entered into as soon as he let you move in, so even though you have no official contract there are still all the statute laws applicable, im guessing you can prove payments to him and you were reg'ed at that address for bills or genral letters so you can prove you were in residence.
He cannot charge you for re-painting the whole room, he can only charge you for the proportion of the 'fair wear and tear' on a property eg; (all DPS and TDSL recomendations) re-painting of property every 3-5 years, carpets 5yrs etc etc, so unless he painted the room just before you moved in, you can tell him to purchase a packet of paxo, and personally i would contact the DPS (it doesnt matter that you have moved away) also most certainly contact HMRC etc, these kind of landlords need teaching a harsh lesson IMO (and thats coming from an agent)
Matt
He cannot charge you for re-painting the whole room, he can only charge you for the proportion of the 'fair wear and tear' on a property eg; (all DPS and TDSL recomendations) re-painting of property every 3-5 years, carpets 5yrs etc etc, so unless he painted the room just before you moved in, you can tell him to purchase a packet of paxo, and personally i would contact the DPS (it doesnt matter that you have moved away) also most certainly contact HMRC etc, these kind of landlords need teaching a harsh lesson IMO (and thats coming from an agent)
Matt
WhoseGeneration said:
PhillT said:
Will I lose anything by getting my solicitor friend to send him a letter?
If it's free, worth a try.Finlandia said:
I had great use of TDS when I had problems with a former landlord.
http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/
I am going through a dispute with TDS our original claim went in at the end of July, and it's now November. Personally i am not impressed at all http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/
Just apply to Court for a judgement against him for the whole amount.Then ask him t provide evidence of the damage to the room and the cost to repaint it, if it was a normal size bedroom, £300 would be about 8 times the cost of materials to repaint it, and about 2 days labour for a decorator.....walls and woodwork would only be a day for most good decorators
Use the emails as proof and ge tthe other housemate involved as he will be on the same agreemenet and proabbaly party to conversations etc.
Basically make this guys life a bit of a mess as he is taking the proverbial now.
If he still messses you about, start ordering pizzas to be delivered and manure etc!
Use the emails as proof and ge tthe other housemate involved as he will be on the same agreemenet and proabbaly party to conversations etc.
Basically make this guys life a bit of a mess as he is taking the proverbial now.
If he still messses you about, start ordering pizzas to be delivered and manure etc!
Matt.. said:
Finlandia said:
I had great use of TDS when I had problems with a former landlord.
http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/
I am going through a dispute with TDS our original claim went in at the end of July, and it's now November. Personally i am not impressed at all http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/
As said, it does take a long time, but it's a fair and free way to solve the dispute.
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