Hello again, a quick question, we paid the estate agent our deposit in cash, This was put into the TDS scheme, but they have recently sent us a cheque for the deposit minus a small amount for damage to a step. However, there is no mention of this dispute on the TDS website, so, do they have to raise a dispute through them or is just sending a letter to us ok? We can categorically prove that the damage was down to shoddy work ( paving slab laid over an empty hole), not the quad bike being taken up the steps, it is far too wide and didn't fit. What should we do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hello again, quick update, we have moved out, hooray! Also been to Law Centre for advice, told us to go straight to ombudsman, says we have strong case. Lets see what the letting agent will throw at us this time, they are already disputing lots of the health and safety report, saying they believe we are responsible for alot of the breaches, although they have stopped short of telling us what they are..........Am more than ready to take them on, Law Centre said be prepared for more scare tactics, but only because they know they are in the wrong. Thanks to eveyone for the advice, sometimes nice just to know you are doing the right thing.No doubt will be back soon for more help!

And also, one more question, I haven't yet signed and returned our part of the notice of possession, merely an oversight more than anything else, are there any legal implications if I don't sign it?

Thanks, we are going back to the Law Centre tomorrow, and viewing a new house midweek! Hopefully they can advise on the wording of my next letter,absolutely prepared to keep up the battle with the agent.

Hello everyone again. As an update to my earlier post this is where we are now...........Housing Renewal Officer came, was here a long time, lots needs doing in the house. We know this as last week an electrician came unexpectedly to fix a wall socket and left the HRO's report here, 32 separate breaches! I wrote an official letter of complaint to the letting agent last week,( not mentioning a thing about the report as not sure if we should have seen it.) I received a reply yesterday accusing us of blackmail! The letter the letting agent wrote ended like this - " It would appear from the last paragraph that you are trying to blackmail us and the LL into withdrawing the Notice of Possession." My last paragraph that they refer to reads like this-" We feel that LL and yourselves should complete the repairs and reinstate our tenency. However, as you are aware we have already contacted our local MP and will have no hesitation in taking the matter further if no amicable agreement can be agreed." Our letter had also referred to a list (with photos) of belongings we had to get rid of due to the mould upstairs, they have not responded to any of the issues I have raised except to say that everything was done as quickly as possible! Still a year on, we are waiting for the flashing to be fixed, house is soaked! Surely it is dangerous ground to be chucking accusations of blackmail around? Obviously blackmail was never my intention. I would be grateful for any help and advice, thanks.

Hello every one, hope someone can help us! Moved into house end of march last year with partner, 6 yr old and 2 week old baby. First had problems with water coming in due to state of roof within the first week, moved in yo find damp and mould on walls in both kids rooms. Informed agent of this, 4 weeks later no response so took advice from Housing Renewal Officer who wrote to them saying must fix it. Builder turns up, unbeknownst to us at the time just went on roof, put some silicone in the holes. Anyway, summer comes, dry weather, no problems. By september all manner of problems with water coming in, saw builder end of november with a list of problems, both he and I signed and dated it,said work would start soon. In between all this were calls to the estate informing them of the problems. Rarely did we receive a call back. Mid december bathroom ceiling taken down due to rotten roof joists. Concrete tiles from roof fell through into bathroom about week later, again informed agent, nothing done. Builder eventually came back beginning of feb, took all roof tiles off, replaced most of the felt so had felt and batten since then, no tiles, builder only been back 3 days since, agent not interested, mould getting considerably worse, last weekend we were on roof pulling felt back over roof as had come detached in wind. Now have been given our notice despite having only taken this on as it was meant to be a long let! Also had to spend 3 weeks turning gas off at the mains outside house, despite calls to agent took this long to get someone in. There is more but I have rambled long enough, any advice would be appreciated! Also we are awaiting visit from Housing Renewal Officer next week as surely we cannot be left with an inadequate roof, broken gutters. Just wanted the roof done, not to lose tenancy! makes my blood boil.