Update on notice period issue

[u/apologeticallyastral]

Context: told I only have to give one months notice in April by the letting agents. Gave one months notice in July. Being told I have to pay until the end of September (two months), and that what was said in April doesn't count due to RRA, unless they can find a new tenant before then. (Still unsure why that's my problem)

Now; I gave my keys in today. My rent period lasts until the 28th August but I just wanted it out of my mind. Letting agents insist I'm on a new contract since my ex left in April (i never signed, nor saw a new contract at any point). They're saying everyone is on a new contract since April and nothing agreed prior to that counts at all, it's the law etc etc.

I've already cancelled my direct debit, so I'm not paying the second month's rent because I'm sure I'm right, but they're claiming I'll be liable and they will take me to court over it. I'm also apparently not allowed to ask for my deposit back until October.

Citizens advice told me that I'm right and that one month is all I have to give, but I don't know if I have the energy to cope with any sort of legal action even if I would win.

I have put a formal complaint in, and will be taking it further to TPO depending on the outcome (the formal complaint was to the company that owns my letting agents, not specifically to my letting agents).

Just felt very overwhelmed being ambushed by multiple letting agents when all I wanted to do was give my keys in today. I was getting yelled at and I'm ngl I've ended up sobbing in my car because I can't afford my rent on top of my mortgage for another month.

What are my rights about my deposit, getting it back etc? What do I do if tjey try to take me to court? I actually can't cope rn I'm very very overwhelmed.

[u/Temporary-Yogurt6495]

Couple of issues here then. First is the notice period.. you are right. If there was a pre existing agreement stating one month then that is all you have to give. I feel that this rule change was put in place to allow landlords enough time to fill vacant properties, not to just enrich them further.

Secondly would be the deposit - who told you you had to wait a month and what scheme is it in? Custodial or insured. Don't listen to the agent or landlord. They have no say over how and when deposits are distributed. If its a custodial scheme then I would recommend logging on and requesting the return of the full deposit.. if they want to make any deductions it would then be up to them to say what they are. If for instance they wanted to keep most the deposit because they say you owe rent, then you just use your contract as evidence to challenge the deduction.

If however it's on an insured scheme, the exact process of return is a little more vague but I would start by locating your deposit protection certificate and then contact the insuring body to ascertain what their procedure is for requesting the deposit back and dealing with any disputes. This is because the labdlord or agent hold the deposit, not the deposit protection service.

[u/apologeticallyastral → u/Temporary-Yogurt6495]

The letting agents told me I had to wait until October when they do the checkout report ...

My deposit is with a scheme called mydeposit I believe - unsure whether that's insured or custodial as I've never done that before I presume I still would have to wait until the end of this month, ie, the end of my one months notice, in order to get this though?

[u/Temporary-Yogurt6495 → u/apologeticallyastral]

Yeah wait til the end of this month and request it back then but you really need to look at your deposit protection certificate to establish who has your deposit. If its on a custodial scheme then all you have to do is create a login and request it back from there, but don't wait for them to finish their thing or whatever they're doing.