*Update* so i got a cheque for £500 yesterday and then a phone call this morning saying the rest of the deposit will be returned without deductions, immediatly seems my message got through.......... so..............Do i still threaten them with court? as they have broken the law! or take the money and run????? any opinions?? cheers.

another bit of news.............. a cheque for £500 (the undisputed part of the deposit)turned up in the post today, so........... do i carry on with the threat of leagal action or accept a £200 loss? opinions?

thanks very much for the reply Kentish Lass. im just trying to workout the interest, do you base it on the £700 im owed or the total £2800 that may be awarded? thanks

Hi All, if anyone can give advice that would be great. I origanilly moved in to a rented porperty in july 06. I paid a deposit of £700. In feb 08 i re-signed the contract. In july 09 we moved out after giving correct notice and ensuring all bills ect were sorted. We were givin a check out inventory which we disputed and we were told we would be deducted £200 for repairs. I questioned these repairs as they had moved new tenants in 2 days after we were out, so surley they had accepted the property as is? They then said they were wanting to paint various parts of the house in lieu of not being able to access the living room due to the new tenants having too much furniture there. I did not accept this. I have sent various email's during august and have had no response. I have asked them for quotes for repiars, no reply. I have asked them to inform me as to what scheme my deposit is in, no reply, and i was not given any information about it being in any scheme after i re-signed in feb 08. My wife called them yesterday ready for a confrontation when they then admitted that my deposit was not in any protection scheme. They said they were returning £500 by cheque but they're still not being clear on the rest. I've been to citizens advice, who advised me to send a letter by recorded delivery so i know that they have recieved it and ask the questions again that ive already asked. I done this 2 days ago. Since they have not protected my deposit im aware i can take them to court. I've downloaded the N208 calim form, need to know what to write in it? I spoke to a solicitor this morning and they told me that court costs would swamp the £2100 that the judge may award! is this true? my plan is to send them a "before action" (is that correct) letter, including the completed N208 form, the letter i sent to them recorded, the letter i sent to ARLA and relevent un replied emails. Should i tell them ill settle out of court for my deposit back + 2x deposit?? if not ill take them to court this is a large manchester based lettings agent who should know better! any advice greatly appreciated, thanks