Anyone know why it cost me £28.75 to get the forms signed in Scotland? Does the The Commissioners for Oaths (Authorised Persons) (Fees) Order 1993 not apply in Scotland?

Steve M and raydetinu, I have to pay because LL ignored my second claim, forcing me to call DPS on their 0844 number. There is no option at all to bring it forward on the website at all. The forms I am refering to is the Statutory Declaration, which had to be signed by a solicator, etc, which will cost me more money. https://www.depositprotection.com/Public/FAQs.aspx?section=SingleClaim#Q7

raydetinu, the scheme can stop it, if there is a rule that states if any claims made, if not responded in 10/14/28 days, will be treated as unchallenged and refunded. I mean, if you get a bill, you usually will be required to pay it in x days. Shouldn't it be the same when I rise a claim through DPS? Now LL can take the p*** and just ignore my claim, forcing me to wait somemore.

raydetinu, that is the point I am trying to make. I issued the claim, for the full amount the first time, LL refused. Issued a second time, with the amount asked for under dispute, LL ignored for a long time. Now I have to fill in some forms, get a soliciter to sign it, send it back, wait somemore. DPS is useless and pointless as it just force me to pay more cost. It is easier to go straight to court.[/font]

And what if the LL ignored their notice, for over 10 days?

DPS is completely useless. I made a claim online for my deposit in July, 1 month after the end of my tenancy contract, 3 months after I moved out (I ended early). LL refused that claim. Then I made another claim, putting the amount claimed by the LL under dispute in August. And now at the end of September, there is still showing as awaiting their response. Called DPS up and was put on hold before getting to someone, wasting more money. Then I was told I had to pay to get someone to sign some forms and wait another 14 days for LL to respond coming up to about 28 days. Surely the LL would have been informed of the claims I made via the DPS website and had chosen to ignore it. The DPS system is completely useless in protecting anyone since the other party can just take the p*** and ignore a request for any amount of time. And the party needing the money have to pay to call the bloody 0844 number and pay more to get some forms signed. All just because there is nothing saying how long they have to wait to respond to a claim request

Quick question for a friend. He is in an AST in a flat. There is a BT socket in the property, but when BT "turn on" the line, it does not work. According to BT, it will cost him if the engineer find the fault to be within the property (after the junction box). Question is, is it LL's responsibility to provide a working landline under the Housing Act? If not, is it LL's responsibility to ensure the existing landline is in working order? If LL refuse to pay for the cost of repairs, if any, what action can he take? Thanks!

Ask for a copy of their checking out inventory, together with pictures. Personally I am in the same situation as you, but my condensation problem is due to faulty windows and incorrectly sized radiator. I am going to throw Section 11 at them, maybe you can do the same?

It is this https://www.depositprotection.com/ Not sure if it is insurance or actual. So there is a time limit for LL to make a claim, does anyone know how long it is in law?

By the way, there had never been a check out survey, as the LL said herself, the place need doing up due to its age, so any "damage" claimed by her are actually wear and tear. Can I refuse any and all claim from her since there is no checking out survey conducted and agreed with me?

Update: The claim had gone into dispute. But the LL had not indicated an amount and I couldn't seem to get anywhere with the DPS online form. The agent told me to contact LL direct, but I couldn't seem to get hold of the LL. And because of that I couldn't seem to use the ADR service from DPS. What should I do next? Additional info from DPS: Response.Write("Please enter the total amount you have agreed to be returned from the deposit amount in the first box and any amounts agreed to be deducted by the agent / landlord in the second box. If there is a disputed amount, this will be calculated below the second box. If you wish to use the ADR service to resolve a dispute, you must ensure that the correct disputed amount is shown below the second box. If you do not show a disputed amount, we will not show the option to use the ADR service.

pink1, "Environmental Health at the Council - does not necessarily need one but they'll tell you." The LL do need a HMO licence for the house. If a landlord lives in his property with only 2 other occupants, the property will not be classified as an HMO. However, if the landlord has 3 or more other occupants living in their property, that property becomes an HMO. For these purposes the resident landlord and his family will count as one person. "What make you think this? Was it built before or after October 2008? How was the house occupied when it was built? This is for the planning enforcement officers too though." The conservatory is illegal as it fail on 2 aspect, it is too long (>3000mm) and is not separated from the house by an external quality door, patio door or French doors as per Building Regulations. In fact, there is no door at all. Also, it was built before October 2008, before the current Building Regulation come into force. I did a search on the local council's planning website and there was no applications for the conservatory, ever.

Hi all, My partner recently moved out of a 70s terraced house which had been butchered to provide accommodation for a very large number of people. I had been looking up some of the laws regarding HMO and know the LL broke a number of rules, some downright being dangerous. This LL is an a'hole and withheld my partner's deposit, claiming that it was for bills, which we never saw (long story). Since it was only £100, I am going to let him have it, BUT, his house is not a proper HMO, I wanted to report him to the appropriate authorities. Problem is I do not know who to report each of the violations to. So here is a list of the violations: Unlicensed HMO - no licence had been applied for the house to be used as a HMO. Insufficient fire protection - There are no mains powered interlinked fire alarms in the house, no fire doors and insufficient fire proofing in the walls. Nor is there a fire plan. Overcrowding - It was a 2 bedroom house which had been converted into a 4 bedroom. So there are 4 different tenants, in addition to the LL, his wife and two children. A total of 8 persons. However there is only 1 WC and 1 combined shower room. Room size too small - In reference to point 3 above, the room sizes are 6m2 or below. Illegal conservatory - The conservatory he had put up does not comply with Permitted Development under the Planning Regulations. No planning application had ever been made for the conservatory. Unsafe equipments - The electrical appliances had been installed by the LL himself, with no testing or certification done by a professional on a annual basis. The gas cooker had no CORGI certificate. Council tax fraud - It was reported to the local as only occupied by students. However LL and his wife, who live in the same house, works. I hope someone can kindly point me in the right direction to report this LL for each of these violations. Thank you very much!

Anyone please?

Hi all, My story: I had a tricky landlady who had indicated that she will pin all kinds of nonsense on me, and not repay all of my deposit. Now, I am a Building Surveyor and would gladly fight it out with her about all kinds of issue about the property that are not my fault, and therefore should not be paid for out of my deposit. BUT, I am in the middle of a relocation for a new job, and therefore had little time for these issues. My lease started on 14 June 2008 for a year. However in the contract, I can give notice to quit after 6 months. I did end the lease early, on 30 April 2009, with all the proper and written notices as required. My deposit is placed under DPS and here is the information of the dates: Start date of tenancy: 14 June 2008 Tenancy period (months): 12 months Date deposit received: 14 June 2008 My question: I had not made a claim for my deposit until today as I was busy with my relocation and issues with internet connection. From what I can find out from Directgov and DPS websites, the landlady have to make a claim for any amount within 10 days of the tenancy ending. Now, 83 days had passed since I handed over the keys and 38 days had passed since the end of the tenancy period. 1) Surely it is too late for her to make any claims now? I had waited a very reasonable time for her to rise any issues and had never heard from her. 2) If she did try to make a claim now, can I argue for it to be dismissed as too much time had passed? The reason I am asking is when I handed over the keys to her son on 30 April 2009, he was tried to pin all kinds of faults on me, while some of the issues are clearly listed in the moving in survey with pictures! But I waited and waited and nothing else was heard of from them. I am concerned when my request for payment lands in her Inbox, she will try to keep some or all of my money. As I said, I had little time to fight this out at this time, I hope any chance of claims she may have had "time expired" and will be thrown out. Thank you in advance!

Thank you very much Raymond.

Hi all, I have a question about a term in my 3 contract. According to 3, it appears that I can only use a 3 branded phone on their network. However I had damaged the handset I got when I took out my contract and wish to purchase an unlocked replacement handset. It complys with 3G/UMTS standards, which is what 3 use. According to some forums, 3 (company) will disconnect me and charge me the disconnection if I use the 3 sim in a non 3 branded phone. My question is, is that an unfair contract since I should have the choice to use whatever replacement for my damaged handset as long as it complys with international standards. Thank you in advance!

60 months?! That is a 5 years contract! And how can it be "month to month" then?

crem, that part is correct, I do 'not' pay any of those fees. The fee they want me to pay is a cancellation charge on my existing line. Basically they say I am canceling my existing contract, and setting up a new one with them. So 'great' I do 'not' have to pay set-up or transfer fees, they just call it something else!

Well, in that case I will just have to pay the fees and tell them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine. O2 broadband allow one home move a year for free, so do most other ISP.

Ok, I found it. However the question is, can these terms be considered unfair?

Basically, nothing. Eclipse Internet - Moving your Home Broadband

Hi, A while ago, I had been kicked off Pipex Internet for 'abuse' of their service. So I looked around for a ISP with a clear FUP and chosed Eclipse Internet as they have a limit of 30GB during peak hours and unlimited during off peak. Generally I have no complaints about the internet service provided. HOWEVER, 1 month ago, the company I was working for went down and I got made redundant. Luckily for me, I found a new job, but that will require a relocation. (Manchester to London) As expected, this is a stressful time for me, lost my job, found a new job, finding a new home and moving home. Finally this week, I got confirmation of the new address, so I called up BT to move my phone line. Full marks to BT, the move is going ahead no problem. Then I phone Eclipse Internet, my ISP, up to tell them of the move. They told me that they have to cancel my contract and sign me up for a new one. AND they are charging me £69.99 for early termination of my contract! Needless to say, I am shocked. I told them I have no plans to get out of my contract, I fully intend to stay with them at my new address. But they say no, I must still pay up even if I am staying with them. Surely this is unfair. When I moved home with Pipex, they charged me a termination fee too, but that was refunded when the internet at my new home was set up. Eclipse say they do not do that. And they still got the nerve to ask me if I want to go ahead with the home mover order or not. I told them I am not paying to stay on with them, they can just terminate the damn thing. Surely this is unfair trading practice? Can someone confirm please? So that I can get OFT on the case. This ridiculous practice of charging home movers at a stressful time must stop. I had already contacted Watchdog, anyone else I can pass this on to? OFCOM maybe?

I thought they are required by law to provide the APR? Which happens to stand for Annual Percentage Rate. Something to take them to court over?;-)

Actually I just thought of a letter to write to them, since the letter arrived at the beginning of April. Dear XXX I refer to your letter dated ?? April that arrived on 10 April, the same day that Bank of England announced a cut in the base rate. I assume that the ridiculous increase of 9% in my APR is just an April Fools joke and I can just ignore it. Please clearify the matter. Yours.... :D