We deal with hundreds of tenancies a year and some deposits do take longer to resolve than others but all are dealt with in accordance with the rules set by the Deposit Protection Scheme, as per the legal requirements. The guidelines are detailed, thorough and most importantly start from the position that the tenant is entitled to their full deposit back unless the landlord/agent can provide evidence to justify a deduction. There is no opportunity for landlords/agents to be underhand or unfair in any way, that is the whole point of the legislation and the reason why it was brought in some years ago. We fully understand that the process and the time taken to reach resolution can be frustrating for all parties, particularly where the DPS dispute resolution service is used, however this is to ensure an independent and unbiased conclusion. I note that you chose not to use this free service despite us suggesting this several times. If you were unhappy with the situation this should have been the next step, as we explained at the time.

Come on Howard, tell the truth.....although you had the above agreement in place it taken my wife three nights after work sat at her computer compiling a 20 page report of evidence to combat the lies that you submitted to us from your client, the landlady. Like I said, and he neighbours had warned us that this was a tried and tested method used with previous tennants at this address and you told us yourself that the you had not given the previous tenants their deposit back.

Only when you seen that we had evidence to prove your client was attempting to keep our deposit unjustly did you agree to reimburse us with most of it because you knew that we would go all the way and if necessary drag you and your client through the courts.

And this was after we had spent lots of time and expense tending to the gardens and property to bring it back to a reasonable state as well as getting the landlord £10,000 reimbursement of council tax because they were being over charged for the last 20 years.

What you and your client is doing is trying it on then back peddling if somebody can be bothered going the extra mile and standing up to you.

Like I say, take my advise and do not rent this property or YOU WILL NOT GET YOUR DEPOSIT BACK without a lot of hassle and grief.

Stuart Rushton & Company Lettings register all their tenancy deposits with The Deposit Protection Service Custodial Scheme – their terms and conditions can be found at https://www.depositprotection.com/

The DPS set strict guidelines which we adhere to at all times and they also offer an Arbitration process which allows the tenant to contest any decisions they do not agree with in regard to the return of their deposit. Full details regarding this service can be found at https://www.depositprotection.com/processes