Renting agent not returning rent deposit.

[2uk]

One month after I left a place that I was renting , the agent has still not returned my deposit of 600 pounds.

He is a Chinese student who works ( so he said ) for an agency that manages the property.

After I contacted him asking what is going on , he sent me an SMS saying that he was short of cash and will make the transfer as soon as he gets his “regular student loan”

Should I:

1. Call the cops.
2. Get a lawyer ( for 600 quid ?!?! )
3. Research and find who owns the property and contact them.
4. Go and kick his Chinese but. ( Very risky , most Chinese will know KungFu to some extent )
5. Forget these 600 pounds already.

[bored]

IANAL but why not send him a letter demanding the deposit + interest, and if he refuses, then sue him?

[2uk]

IANAL but why not send him a letter demanding the deposit + interest, and if he refuses, then sue him?

That’s why I am asking - I am not sure what should I do .. it is only 600 pounds. Seems too little to involve lawyers… unless they get him to pay for all expenses…

[bored]

You do not need to involve lawyers at all. Google for county court claims and follow the procedure on their website.

[Devlin]

You do not need to involve lawyers at all. Google for county court claims and follow the procedure on their website.

Yep, I've found in the past just a nicely worded letter threatening to take it to county court has done the trick.

[2uk]

ok , thanks.

[TheFaQQer]

Strongly worded letter, setting a deadline for return of payment, and a threat of court action.

Hopefully that will do the trick...

[Clippy]

4. Go and kick his Chinese butt.
(Very risky , most Chinese will know KungFu to some extent)

As you are having plastic surgery soon, if you get your face re-arranged you can add it to the list of things you want the Dr. to rectify.

[Fishface]

is the guy Chinese Chinese?

In China (Beijing my knowledge) the deposit is basically a gift to the landlord - you never get it back - the culture there is to accept it - there will be delays -questions about condition of the place and other bulltulip to delay you into saying 'tulipe it - can't be bothered'.

I know you are in the UK but they might bring that idea with them.

However, there is a new law that says that your deposit cannot be held by the landlord personally but has to be held in some type of escrow - look it up and tell him he is foul of the law - he won't want any heat with a 'student' visa. He also might be the ownwer masquerading as the agent so as to charge fees or write fees off.

[miffy]

the deposit is basically a gift to the landlord - you never get it back

I'd do same as the others suggested.

Do the letter, if that don't work then you can go all Jackie Chan on his ass.