Am I entitled to half my deposit back?

mikemac2

I rented as a lodger in a family home in Dublin for five months. Landlady was lovely and I was very happy there and they were happy with me. I had multiple rooms up the top floor all to myself, it was super!

I was job hunting after Christmas and got an offer of a job abroad in Europe but I didn’t hand in my notice to my landlady until I had a contract as it’d be foolish otherwise.

Got my contract on February 27th with a start date March 15th. Tight turnaround to emigrate I know! I gave a weeks notice in work and I gave my months notice to my landlady on March 2nd planning to vacate April 2nd. She said ok don’t pay last months rent and we’ll use the deposit. Sound!

I planned to fly back at Easter and put my stuff in storage and clean it and be gone by April 2nd so one month after March 2nd. I know I was paying for two weeks I’d not be there but so be it.

Shortly afterwards I was told she had a tenant lined up for March 20th and could I vacate before I left March 14th and I said yes but if I have to leave mid month can she return half my deposit. Like I gave my required months notice but now I was being asked to leave in under two weeks. She said ok after inspection.

I cleaned the place to perfection, said goodbye on March 14th and was told I’d be texted after inspection

Now I’m being told I’m not entitled to half my deposit back as I gave short notice. No issues raised about damage or cleaning. If I knew this would happen I would have kept the room until April 2nd. I’ve paid for a self storage place which costs me and was under pressure to have everything done early. Both me and the new tenant are paying for that room, rent on the double

Im not covered by RTB I know as I was a lodger not a tenant. The amount of money is not huge but what can a lodger do?

Stheno

Nothing to be done

ignorance is strength

Morally, yes! How you'd go about it I don't know.

Cash_Q

I would show up at the house and refuse to leave until she gives it to you

wirelessdude01

I'd want my full deposit back seeing as the room is already let.

mikemac2

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

I'd want my full deposit back seeing as the room is already let.

Well she did not take last months rent off me.

Half my deposit went on March 1st to March 14th.

I was asked to leave that date to make way for the new tenant. Otherwise the room was mine till April 2nd

I only want half the deposit to help me cover what I had to pay for my self storage (which isn’t cheap!)

ted1

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

So what is the issue then. She used your deposit for last month's rent.

Buy she let the room and was t out of pocket. If the room was empty she could keep it. But as it was occupied, she should return it

April 73

As a lodger rather than a tenant can you use the small claims court? She pulled a fast one on you.

4ensic15

April 73 wrote: »

As a lodger rather than a tenant can you use the small claims court? She pulled a fast one on you.

The small claims court can be used.

brewster101

.

wirelessdude01

brewster101 wrote:

Tell her to give half your deposit back or you'll send her name to the revenue people.

Why would this threat make anyone scared? Rent a room scheme.

davindub

mikemac2 wrote: »

I rented as a lodger in a family home in Dublin for five months. Landlady was lovely and I was very happy there and they were happy with me. I had multiple rooms up the top floor all to myself, it was super!

I was job hunting after Christmas and got an offer of a job abroad in Europe but I didn’t hand in my notice to my landlady until I had a contract as it’d be foolish otherwise.

Got my contract on February 27th with a start date March 15th. Tight turnaround to emigrate I know! I gave a weeks notice in work and I gave my months notice to my landlady on March 2nd planning to vacate April 2nd. She said ok don’t pay last months rent and we’ll use the deposit. Sound!

I planned to fly back at Easter and put my stuff in storage and clean it and be gone by April 2nd so one month after March 2nd. I know I was paying for two weeks I’d not be there but so be it.

Shortly afterwards I was told she had a tenant lined up for March 20th and could I vacate before I left March 14th and I said yes but if I have to leave mid month can she return half my deposit. Like I gave my required months notice but now I was being asked to leave in under two weeks. She said ok after inspection.

I cleaned the place to perfection, said goodbye on March 14th and was told I’d be texted after inspection

Now I’m being told I’m not entitled to half my deposit back as I gave short notice. No issues raised about damage or cleaning. If I knew this would happen I would have kept the room until April 2nd. I’ve paid for a self storage place which costs me and was under pressure to have everything done early. Both me and the new tenant are paying for that room, rent on the double

Im not covered by RTB I know as I was a lodger not a tenant. The amount of money is not huge but what can a lodger do?

You can use the Small claims procedure instead.

As the landlady asked you to move out on a certain date, she is the one who gave notice. If she has stated in writing to you (email etc) that she is retaining the deposit due to insufficient notice, she has already shot herself in the foot.