DPS and small claims court

[philv]

Hi

Former tenants deposit in DPS.
The tenant owes about 830 (rent arrears)
The deposit is 500.
Via DPS i asked to keep all 500 deposit.
The tenant disputed.

The tenant wont respond to calls or messages from me to discuss.

The tenant just seems to be being awkward as he owes 2 months rent and the rental agreement states i can use deposit for rent owed.

Even if he did agree to use the dispute resolution service of the DPS i sill would need to go to court for the other 330.

So should i just go to small claims court and not bother continuing with the DPS.
By the lack of response from my former tenant it seems ill just waste 2 months and then still have to go to court.

Thanks

[Simpo Two]

I'd pursue it with the DPS; find out what the dispute is and try to overturn it.

You're less likely to get anything from small claims IMHO, apart from judgement by default and no money.

Generally you have to use resolution services if offered. He's probably just playing silly buggers.