I tried to rent a flat two years ago and put down a £300 deposit having told them details of my income. They then asked me for a guarantor, but I couldn’t find one. The agency refunded me just £50, saying the rest of the money would pay for some of the time the flat remained empty. Were they entitled to keep my money?
You’ll have to check any agreements you signed with the agency and any contract terms agreed concerning the payment of a deposit. This would contain clauses saying what would happen to the deposit if the agreement were terminated or could not proceed for certain reasons. If you didn’t sign anything, or the terms of payment of the deposit were not explained to you, you may have a claim against the agency for return of the full amount.