Agent won't refund overpaid rent

[paul27]

My son and three friends rented a property during their final year at uni, with me paying his share of the rent (£325 pm) by standing order.

The heating and hot water broke down in the winter and took eight weeks to fix, during which time they mostly couldn't live there. After many complaints, the Agent finally arranged for them to have a one month rent holiday.

The other three tenants didn't pay for one month, but because my payments were automatically made, I did pay.

At the end of the tenancy (July) I asked for this overpayment to be repaid, but this was ignored, presumably because there was also a dispute over returning the deposits.

The deposit dispute was recently settled, so I asked again for the overpayment to be repaid - but they refuse, saying rents collected would have been given to the landlord and I should have sorted it out as part of the deposit dispute! They also refuse to give me contact details for the landlord ... presumably because my son was technically the tenant?

The agents do not seem belong to any trade associations I can follow up, so wondered what I should do next?

Thanks for any advice, or even just to know the legal position?

[Ed999]

As a matter of law, a payment of rent made by mistake must be repaid by the landlord. But you must sue the landlord, not the letting agent.

As to how to find the landlord's address, this is dead easy: sue him at the property being rented! Since he owns it, legal notices can be addressed to him there.

You might also read this thread, which includes additional information about finding a landlord's address: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...eductions.html



Advice & opinions on this forum are offered informally, without any assumption of liability. Use your own judgment. Seek advice of a qualified and insured professional if you have any doubts.

[paul27]

Ed999 - Many thanks for your guidance, I will write to the landlord as suggested.