Deposit Refund Problem...

mariok

Hi all,

I moved into my new place last Friday. I payed my deposit (€300) and my first months rent (€300). As a poor student, this was a huge amount of money for me to cough up, but the place is close to my college. I did not sign any agreement nor was I asked to. Today i discovered an apartment nearby which is €200 monthly. It would make more sense for me to take this apartment instead.

I accept that I will not likely receive any of my €300 rent back (although I have only been here for 4 days). Can anyone tell me where this leaves me with my deposit, and what I am obliged to do with regards to my landlord?

Could really do with some help on this!!

Kind regards,

Maria

TylerIE

If your landlord is legitimate and registered with the PRTB you probably have very little recourse.

Its possible that you may be able to find someone to take over your tenancy and the landlord may agree to same?

Speak to your Student Union Welfare Officer or Accomodation Officer, and possibly the Private Residential Tenancy Board.

The lack of signing anything doesnt really strengthen your position with regard to losing your deposit but may mean your landlord isnt registered.

coylemj

mariok wrote: »

I did not sign any agreement nor was I asked to.

TylerIE wrote: »

If your landlord is legitimate and registered with the PRTB you probably have very little recourse.

If there was no paperwork then the chances of the landlord being registered with the PRTB are probably close to zero.

TylerIE

TylerIE wrote: »

The lack of signing anything doesnt really strengthen your position with regard to losing your deposit but may mean your landlord isnt registered.

coylemj wrote: »

If there was no paperwork then the chances of the landlord being registered with the PRTB are probably close to zero.

I didnt want to put it quite so bluntly but yes Id agree!!!

Milk & Honey

The chances of such a landlord handing back a deposit without a lot or pressure are slim to none.

mariok

Thanks for the replies. The place i am currently living is a student residential block, with private gates etc. I'm sure the landlord must be registered as it is exclusively for students here, and over 40 apartments have the same manager (including mine).

I will state my circumstances and hope that he will show some compassion as i have only just moved in, and he may regard getting €300 for 4 days as being greedy enough without taking my deposit too....

TylerIE

mariok wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. The place i am currently living is a student residential block, with private gates etc. I'm sure the landlord must be registered as it is exclusively for students here, and over 40 apartments have the same manager (including mine).

I will state my circumstances and hope that he will show some compassion as i have only just moved in, and he may regard getting €300 for 4 days as being greedy enough without taking my deposit too....

I wouldnt call it greedy... He may have had other people who could have taken the apartment, but turned them away as you had it booked. It will now be harder for him to fill the apartment, and he may now have to re-advertise it for a new tenant.

I know some Dublin Student Apartments are finding it VERY hard to get students this year so it may be the same elsewhere.

Also have you considered any utilities that are included in your current apartment - ESB, heating, laundry, refuse which could be worth €50 per month, making your true rent in the new house (if it doesnt include utilities) €250. That makes your savings only €50 per month, or €500 per academic term.

And if you lose the €500 from this apartment - then your not really saving anything? Is the new apartment further from the college or public transport or night clubs etc? Will it mean more taxis etc?

mariok

Hi Tyler,

As i am a mature student, i would be entitled to rent supplement. The rent limit to which you can receive this in my area is €255 per month. I'm basing my decision on the information below, as well as the fact that the apartment is less than 5 minutes walk away.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

I could only have to pay as little as €24 per month with this entitlement.

Do you think i should cut my losses, even if i do not get my deposit back, and just go for this instead?

Thanks for your help

Maria

TylerIE

mariok wrote: »

Hi Tyler,

As i am a mature student, i would be entitled to rent supplement. The rent limit to which you can receive this in my area is €255 per month. I'm basing my decision on the information below, as well as the fact that the apartment is less than 5 minutes walk away.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

I could only have to pay as little as €24 per month with this entitlement.

Maria,

I have looked at that site but I do not know anything about rent supplement so to be honest I cannot advise. Unfortunately as much as Id love to assist I dont want to give inaccurate information.

I only urge you to add in the entire costs of the €200 pw apartment, I know a lot of students who got caught with "hidden charges" when they went for what seemed to be low rent apartments, and add this to the losses that you would incur by moving out (if you lose your deposit and months rent), and see if its still worth it. If SWA means that you get no allowance in the €300 pw apartment, but a big allowance in the €200 pw apartment then obviously thats quite appealing.

Perhaps someone in this forum may be able to advise on SWA.

mariok

Thanks Tyler

jacko1

just dont pay the last months rent and effectively take your deposit back - then just disappear off into the night !

Victor

Be careful and do get advice.

However, as there appears to be no formal lease, the Private Residential Tenancies Act kicks in and you need to give 28 days notice. public.prtb.ie/DownloadDocs/Terminating_Tenancy.doc

You need to talk to the Community Welfare Office to see if you are entitled to Rent Allowance.