Tenancy changed to 2 months holiday rental but still paid holding deposit?
Less than a month before moving into a one year rental property, the landlady changed her mind and only wanted to offer a holiday rental of 2 months.
I had paid £400 holding deposit to the agent for the one year rental and all the references had been completed. As I had nowhere else to go, and risked becoming homeless, I accepted the 2 months holiday rental. I told the agent I wasn’t happy and would be looking for another one year rental, but I was running out of time and it seemed as if I had no other option.
The agent said that the holding deposit would now go to the landlady and not be held by the agency.
However, 4 days before I was due to move, I found another property. I informed the agent that I no longer needed the original place and moved in to the new property.
When I requested my deposit back the agent refused.
As the original agreement had been changed by the landlady, I feel I am owed some or all of my money back.
Many thanks
Fiona
3 comments on this article
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Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3462 - Articles: 286
8:53 AM, 24th November 2015, About 11 years ago
Hi Fiona,
Check very carefully the agreement you signed for the holding deposit.
If it was clearly for a 6 or 12 month AST I would want all my money back and if not complain to The Property Ombudsman.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 883
9:57 AM, 24th November 2015, About 11 years ago
Whilst the landlady wished to change the original agreement, you agreed to the change. Therefore I don’t think that this is relevant to any claim you might have to your holding deposit.
You agreed to rent on certain terms and changed your mind only 4 days before moving in. That certainly caused the landlady to lose rent and it was probably agreed that you would lose the holding deposit in these circumstances.
Member Since August 2015 - Comments: 79
10:19 AM, 24th November 2015, About 11 years ago
Change of contract, end of story, she needs to return your deposit.