Hi all, I'm really hoping someone can help me asap with a problem I'm having regarding my deposit on a flat I just vacated. The deposit was £ 685 and the agency I dealt with say that the landlord wants to retain £ 400. The reasons given are that the landlord had to spend £ 900 pounds repainting the entire flat, replacing the bathroom carpet and kitchen flooring. With regard to the kitchen floor, the agency state that this is due to chemical stains on the floor caused by something like bleach. I'm currently awaiting them sending me pictures of this as I find it hard to believe as I never once cleaned the floor, only brushed. The big problem, however, is the repainting and carpet as the damage to both the paintwork and carpet were caused by pinhead mold, which I am unsure whether or not I, as the tenant, are responsible for. Throughout the whole time I stayed in the flat (11 months) pinhead mold on the walls ( and in the bathroom I mean all walls, floor, and ceiling) was a major problem. Under the terms of my lease I was instructed to ventilate the flat regularly in order to stop pinhead mold, which I did, however the problem in the flat was so severe that even with regualr ventilation and cleaning of walls pinhead mold was a constant problem. Indeed, the condensation in the flat was so severe that books which were left in the flat would curl up due to moisture. I never took the issue up with the agency, which was probably stupid, however I really need advice as to whether or not I'm liable for this damage caused by the mold to the paintwork and carpet, which in my opinion was a problem beyond my control. The agency are now putting the pressure on me to negotiate an amount with the landlord, I guess I could probably get him down to half, however I dont want to pay for something if I'm not liable for it as I feel that the moisture in the flat was something that I had no control over and should not be liable for. Many thanks in advance for any advice offered, it is much appreciated

Dear all, Like many on this site I am urgently seeking guidance on the best way to deal with potential legal action resulting from fare evasion on the London Underground, the details are as follows: In January my girlfriend was asked to show her oyster card after exiting the barriers at an underground station. She showed the inspector her own oyster card which he scanned and immediately realised she had in fact not used. He asked her what card she had actually used at which point she produced my student photo-card oyster. My girlfriend is a foreign student from asia and had a little difficulty understanding the situation, although she signed the form etc agreeing with what happened (although didn;t actually read it). Anyway, when the inspector mentioned prosecution, court etc she replied that she didn't realise it was so serious (she presumed it would just be a small fine, much like in her home country) and the inspector replied that she shoudn't worry, first time offence, most likely fine etc. Shortly after I read some posts here and realised the seriousness of what had happened. Follwoing this we waited to see what happened, hoping she would be fined, however, recently the letter arrived stating "on this date incident happened ...give your version". My girlfriend totally accepts what she did was wrong and I am hoping someone can advise on the best way to respond to the letter, Old Cod-JA any feedback would be much appreciated! My girlfriend will return home next month for a few months at least to do some research and phoned the prosecutions department to say she will be returning home and they advised to send proof of travel with the letter and they will deal with the case asap, I'm hoping due to this fact they may be more likely to settle out of court. My girlfriend is a PhD student, although not in London hence she didn;t have discount card, and really we hope by appealing to TFl they will fine rather than prosecute as a conviction could have a terrible consequence on my girlfriends future: she hopes to stay in the UK for post doctoral study and is also a part time teacher. I advised her to reply to the letter stating the following: Accepting what she did was wrong and making no escuses, after all she dosent really have any, and apologising profusely for a (very stupid) mistake that wont happen again Stating that she is more than willing to pay fine, costs etc before she returns home Asking that they show leniency as a conviction could seriously affect future visa, employment in the UK which she hopes to obtain after finishing a PhD that her parents have invested everything they have in I apologise for such a long post but she needs to send the letter asap and I am really hoping someone can advise on the best way to reply Many thanks,