It is always advisable to make sure points you raise on check-in (or I think it's within 14 days of moving into your rented property), are in writing. I know this is too late for you and I do feel that it is unreasonable of the LL to deduct monies if it is for something you pointed. However, without writing to the LL to highlight this, your only other option is TDS. It's going to be a tough one though if you have no evidence. The LL could argue that you did not make him aware of the issue. I'm beginning to think that independent inventories should be carried out at the start/end of every tenancy.

Again check your AST. Mine says 'On or after [date] the LL can give two months notice to terminate the tenancy by written notice to be served by hand or by first class post or by fax and email on the Tenant...' I'd send it Recorded Delivery and hand-deliver a copy, just to cover yourself. I'd don't know what others would advise, but are you able to give 24 hours notice to the tenant that you wish to inspect the property, before sending your letter. Take a camera with the ability to date stamp the images to capture the current state of the house. It doesn't sound like you got a proper inventory at the outset, but it may prove useful evidence at some future date. Only if she doesn't move should you need to serve your S21.

Umm, if I were the manager I would be asking for an explanation of how he knew the emails existed. Just because somebody leaves themselves logged in, doesn't give you the authority to go routing through their files. I would also expect (and if I managed the systems I'd make sure of it) that there was an audit trail to show if a mailbox was accessed by someone who was not the owner. If your colleague suspects that this is what you have done, he may go looking for evidence and make his own complaint against you.

I think you would also have to do a lot of explaining on how you got to read his emails - sorry, I don't buy the administrative logs. Your admin rights would give you the option to access his mailbox, but you would be the one in the wrong. I have always thought that having admin rights gives you the ability to access data, but not the right. This could be considered gross misconduct and you would be the one in the firing line. You will find this kind of bullying, excluding or ganging up on an individual, happens in every organisation. It isn't right, but it is commonplace. Did you say this person is your supervisor? I think a face to face with this guy is not going to sort it out. You should go directly to your manager and discuss your problem with him. It is his responsibility to try to resolve the matter (and definitely don't mention about reading other people's emails). If your manager does nothing, then I guess you will have to make it official. Make sure you have evidence, but only that which you have accumulated without breaking the rules.

How long has this tenant been resident? When can you give her notice to quit - check the AST. Only serve the S21 if she doesn't budge.

This link may help. Declaration of Trust

Your LL was legally obliged to protect your deposit. Write to your him recorded delivery stating that he has broken the law and that you will be involving the courts unless he returns all of your deposit within 14 days. If it goes to court, he will almost certainly lose (assuming you are not in Scotland like a previous post) and his costs will be high. It would be good that you could get confirmation that the cockroach infestation did not originate in your apartment to show to the LL/judge if necessary. It is interesting about the check-out where you were told there were no problems, but are being charged subsequently. I wonder what advice others can give on how a tenant should cover themselves for such an event.

If I were the LL I would definitely want the deposit protected. If I were the tenant in this case, I would resist the change. The deposit scheme should, as I understand it, allow you as a tenant to have a third-party resolve any disputes at end of tenancy. Are you mid AST? Surely the agent cannot force the issue without your consent if that is the case. I wouldn't trust any agent who forced me into this position, even going as far as giving notice to quit.

I would have thought that it is not merely about removing the name from the existing AST, but a new AST and a new inventory check that is signed by the tenant that remains. With multiple names on the AST the LL can pursue any of them for rent or damages. Your ability to pay the rent would have been assessed by the fact that there were two of you. As a LL I would probably want new credit checks/employment references done to ensure that the remaining tenant was able to meet the rent obligations. A new AST would incur costs for the LL too.

There can be start up costs for the LL too. They pay a fee to the agent at the start of a new AST which is usually a month's rent, which covers the credit and reference check on the prospective tenants, plus the check-in costs (possibly around £100 for the inventory). I'm not sure if there is a fee for securing the tenant's deposit. I don't know how far you are in to your tenancy, but you could try contacting the LL directly to discuss. If you pick up all of the above costs he may be amenable.

How can you be sure that the letting agent didn't secure the deposit? It sounds like they have not returned it in full, but have failed to specify why. What does it say in your AST about the deposit - it will normally say where it is held. Did you not do an exit check out at the property? Was any damage done or cleaning required? Had you paid all the outstanding utility bills etc. I agree, the letting agent should be telling you why there have been deductions, but I wouldn't launch any court action just yet. Can you go into the agents and talk to them in person?

Check the contract for break clauses, but get rid of this tenant as soon as you can. Keep in with the council to ensure that you receive rent for all the time this tenant is in occupation, but I fear you will have a clean-up bill when she does finally move out. I know that it is easy to be wise after the event, but really, if you are to let the property again, get an agent to do it for you. Yes, you will have to pay a fee, but they will do the work of finding 'good' tenants and check their credit references. You can ask them (for an additional fee) to do the inventory check-in, which again, I feel, is worthwhile incase there are any disputes at end of lease. Pick your agent wisely and make sure (don't just take their word for it) that the deposit is protected. Also, like the other postee said, get proper Landlord insurance to cover you for litigation fees etc. It's easier than it sounds and you get peace of mind too.

There is a sticky which explains what to do if the LL did not protect the deposit. Normally a cockroach infestation would be the tenant's responsibility. However, as the whole building was infected, and presumably the source was outside of your control, your LL would normally shoulder all of the responsibility. Did you have to pay the management fees separate to your rent? It sounds as though you have the LL on his failure to secure your deposit anyway. Write to him in the first instance letting him know that you intend to involve the courts unless he returns ALL of your money. If I got my deposit back, I'd leave it at that and not waste anymore time, money and energy. One thing, I'm not sure whether cockroach infestations in rental properties have to be reported by default to the environmental health. I think it differs between councils/regions. It's something I'd like to know as a prospective tenant.

Isn't the crux here when the tenant (who has demanded his deposit back) first signed the AST? My understanding from reading other posts is that if the tenant first signed prior to April 2007 and no new AST was created, then a deposit protection does not apply. Post April 2007 the AST agreement signed by the tenant(s) and the LL or their agent should cite where the deposit is held. As your property is fully managed, you should check the contract that you (?) signed with the agent. Another post recently alerted me to possible rogue or financially unstable agents. It seems it is wise to ensure that your property is managed by an ARLA bonded agent (arla.co.uk). My only other advice is to ensure that you pay a professional to do the inventory check in (the tenant usually pays for the check out) and make sure you have Landlord's insurance.

Thanks for that. I've just done some checking and it seems that if you are with an ARLA bonded agent, the LL's and tenant's deposit are insured against loss loss or theft. There is an ARLA website to check on an agent's membership. To be absolutely sure that the deposit is recoverable, I have emailed ARLA. I'll let you know if and when they reply.

I'm interested in this post. If a tenancy agreement states that the deposit is safeguarded by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, administered by The Dispute Service Limited, are you saying that the agent holds the money and if that agent folds the LL could be left to pay the deposit?

Have you identified what is causing your respiratory problems? Is there damp/mould in the house? Is it very dusty? Your doctor is willing to write that the health problems are linked to the house, but not seemingly concerned enough to send you/your daughter for tests to find out what you are allergic to? How can you be sure that you won't encounter the same problems at another property that you rent and be in exactly the same position again? I'm not sure where you stand legally with the surrender of the lease, but if I were a LL in this case, I would contest it.

I think that dragging himself into the public eye if he isn't above board would be very, very, stupid, although it may not necessarily influence any judge. This must be quite frightening for you. He has already been reported for intimidation. If he wants to take you to court (I just doubt it) then he knows where you work and he could easily leave the paperwork at the reception. So what other reason can he have? Further intimidation? Bad mouthing you to your new LL? Did you alert the Environmental Health? From all you have said, I cannot believe that this man would be such a fool as to take you to court. He sounds like one of those men that bayliff firms use to intimidate debtors for payment. I just wouldn't give in. This man shouldn't even be allowed to be a LL.

Thank you. I wasn't aware of this source. However, it does sound as if the onus is on the doctor to publish and update, which cynical as I am, will be only if there is something in it for him like a private practice. Why this lack of transparency? If I had any faith in the GMC to do the right thing, I wouldn't be so bothered. Compare this with the NMC who recently struck off the nurse who allowed herself to be involved in the Panorama filming, which exposed the horrific treatment of elderly patients. I know she broke her contract, but her colleagues who seemingly allowed these practices to go unreported continue to work in the profession. What does this say about the hospital, our NHS? Presumably the Chief Exec continues to pick up his/her big fat pay cheque. What a topsy, turvy world.

Empowerment.

Quite frankly, I think he'll do nothing. I hope the police put the wind up him.

How much information is available on specific doctors. I don't want to know personal details like dob, home address etc, but where they trained, what qualifcation(s) they have, their work history to date. I see that there is a register of doctors, but it seems that I can only find out when they became MRCS or LRCP and when they were provisionally and fully registered with the GMC. Many thanks.

ErikaPNP - have you ever thought of applying for the post of Chief Exec of a Trust? I think you'd do an excellent job. I 'm glad that the patients (and their families) attitudes have changed. My parents generation thought that 'doctors knew best' and never challenged the medics, which I think led to them thinking they were God and beyond question. There are still many with that attitude working in the healthcare profession. Perhaps the reasons that people complain more now, is because there is more to complain about. Staff shortages cannot help but lead to poor care. However, I agree with you about the nursing training. I haven't been impressed by what I've encountered. You also cannot teach compassion. I have a sister who trained as a nurse before it moved from the classroom and she shares my views. As for hospital infections. My own hospital regularly carried out a deep clean of the wards and the patients were not given a second thought. Thrown in wheelchairs without slippers or dressing gowns. Yet the doctors always (and I mean always) never wore an apron as they moved from bed to bed. I made a comment about this once, but the nurses said they were fed up with trying.

I read the poems Erikapnp - they moved me to tears.

ErikaPNP Person centred care sounds ideal and what we should strive for in our care homes and our hospitals. Empathy is lost in targets and budgets.