I need to sell but there’s a deposit problem?

I need to sell but there’s a deposit problem?

0:00 AM, 22nd January 2025, About 24 hours ago 8

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Hello, I rented out my property many years ago to some tenants. I would now like to sell the property as I need the funds.

However, the tenant is not moving until they receive a court order and bailiff eviction so that they can go to the council and get rehoused. Obviously advised by the council or someone else.

My issue is that although the deposit is in a deposit scheme, it appears to have been protected after 30 days (around 50 days late), although it does say that the date it was protected was the date the tenant paid the deposit.

I have tried to return the deposit but the tenant has not accepted its return as it is through the deposit scheme.

His rent is up to date as it is well below the market rate for rent in that area.

What are my options and what is the best course of action for me?

Many thanks in advance,
Jim


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Caroline Crute

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9:25 AM, 22nd January 2025, About 14 hours ago

Hi
I inherited similar from a previous LL. I used an eviction specialist who advised us to return the deposit. Because they refused to accept it via the deposit scheme, we returned it in cash, handed it to the tenant and photographed it. S21 was served and the tenant was evicted after going to court. Good luck

Jimbarb

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15:51 PM, 22nd January 2025, About 8 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Caroline Crute at 22/01/2025 - 09:25
Hi
Many thanks for your kind reply. This is good news and a relief somewhat. It does say that if the deposit is in a Deposit Scheme it must be returned through the scheme. Did the judge ask you anything about that? and did you attach the photo of the returned deposit with the court papers? I guess the main issue here is that I am the landlord.

Many thanks for your help.

Caroline Crute

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17:34 PM, 22nd January 2025, About 6 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Jimbarb at 22/01/2025 - 15:51
It was a relief for us. All we needed to show that the S21 was valid, which meant all paperwork was in place and that no deposit was held.
Once that was done, the judge ordered possession. It was frustrating having to return the deposit as there was such a lot of mess left by the tenant. But it was more important for the S21 to be valid so was a small price to pay. I'd def recommend using an eviction specialist, it was the best thing we ever did.

Jimbarb

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18:34 PM, 22nd January 2025, About 5 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Caroline Crute at 22/01/2025 - 17:34
Many thanks for your help Caroline, are you able to tell me which eviction service you used as I can perhaps use the same one too.

Thank you

Caroline Crute

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18:38 PM, 22nd January 2025, About 5 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Jimbarb at 22/01/2025 - 18:34
You're welcome. We used Legal for Landlords but I believe people on here have used Landlord Action successfully. Good luck 👍

Jimbarb

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18:39 PM, 22nd January 2025, About 5 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Caroline Crute at 22/01/2025 - 17:34
Aplogies for all the questions Caroline, I forgot to ask what happened to the priginal deposit in the deposit scheme? did it just stay there?

Thank you

Caroline Crute

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18:41 PM, 22nd January 2025, About 5 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Jimbarb at 22/01/2025 - 18:39
No problem. We had a lot of help from people on here. Re the original deposit, our letting agents are in the process of getting it back to us. I'm told it takes time

Jimbarb

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20:36 PM, 22nd January 2025, About 3 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Caroline Crute at 22/01/2025 - 18:41
Once again many thanks for your help and time. No wonder so many landlords are selling up. You let tenants stay in your property in good faith and yet you're the one that has to suffer all the stress.

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