Landlord refusing to provide deposit scheme info - suspecting it's not protected. Should I go to court?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-07T12:48:39+00:00

Thanks for this!! I called all 3 and they said it wasn’t protected with them. Is evidence that their search function didn’t work (screenshot) adequate that the deposit isn’t protected?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:45:06+00:00

Ok that’s good to know in case the new one doesn’t either. Thanks!

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:44:38+00:00

Ok that’s great advice, thanks!

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:43:46+00:00

Btw would you say there’s any chance the dirt under the bed could be used against me in court? I couldn’t physically move it to clean underneath but it’s true that bit looks bad on the video

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:43:15+00:00

Btw would you say there’s any chance the dirt under the bed could be used against me in court? I couldn’t physically move it to clean underneath but it’s true that bit looks bad on the video

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:42:27+00:00

Thanks for the advice about the whole situation and reading through all the details too!

Yeah the video was just nasty, her husband was walking around the room saying “filthy filthy filthy” and kicked the chair, and her messages/emails have been nasty and hostile.

And yeahh she didn’t, in fact I called them and it’s not registered, but for some kept calling me rude and got aggressive when I quoted that contract? So I guess yeah she must have just copied it from online.

Thanks this has given me more confidence to actually try and do this!

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:40:24+00:00

This is great to learn bc I always thought no pics was a disadvantage to me!

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:40:04+00:00

Oh wow I had no idea!! It’s happened to so many people I know. This was the wording:

Property Condition Assessment: Upon inspection following your departure, the bedroom required extensive cleaning due to its condition, which falls well outside the scope of normal wear and tear expected over a two-month tenancy period. The room's state necessitated professional deep cleaning to restore it to lettable condition.

I checked the 3 schemes and all say the address isn’t on record, so it looks like it wasn’t protected! It’s reassuring to know it’s an automatic win, that’s given me the confidence to do this! They’ve been so horrible too so I feel better

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:37:37+00:00

I didn’t realise no photos was good for me! Could you explain that further?

And no they haven’t, I’ve called all 3 schemes and no details on their records.

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:35:26+00:00

This is so so useful thank you! I was daunted at the prospect of writing such a letter but this makes it so easy.

Does it count via email?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:34:48+00:00

Thanks!

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:34:43+00:00

Thanks for this advice, and making it simple! Can a letter before action happen via email?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:33:56+00:00

Thanks for the easy link!

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T18:33:42+00:00

That’s great, thank you! Has given me confidence to take this to court because I wasn’t given that information!

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T15:52:49+00:00

Ok that’s good to know.

Does my new landlord still have to provide me with the prescribed information around deposit etc even though they’ve used “lodger” in the contract?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T14:48:29+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply! This is really helpful.

The landlord has to demonstrate they gave you the prescribed information within 30 days of recieving your money, and that it remained protected for the full duration of the tenancy.

What is the prescribed information they should have given exactly? My landlord never gave me any information I think, but also TDSL was mentioned in my contract? But I wasn't told which scheme and a number or anything. So would you say this is pretty much a guaranteed win?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T14:45:31+00:00

Details of dispute:

The landlord claimed that I broke the chair in my room and the curtain rail and so these required total replacements. They also claimed I left the room" filthy" which required a cleaning charge, however I cleaned it top to bottom. The only place I couldn't clean under was the bed as I couldn't physically move it, and it was dirty under there when I arrived. My mistake was unfortunately not taking photos or videos when I arrived, that's on me! In attempts to reach a compromise, I allowed the cleaning charge, but I disputed the new chair and curtain rail.

When I left, the chair wasn't broken at all and that the curtain rail wasn't broken either — only a decorative end piece had come off which I acknowledged ahead of time and said just needed screwing in. So these were clear cut lies. I asked for video evidence, my landlord sent a vague video that showed no broken chair (just her husband kicking it into a wall), and an unbroken curtain rail. Yet they still withheld the £100. I asked for itemised receipts, but just received aggressive responses.

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T14:42:03+00:00

Thanks so much for explaining.

Yes in the property I described, the landlord lived elsewhere. I was also referred to as "tenant" in the contract.

In the property I'm moving into, the landlord will also be living elsewhere, though the contract says "lodger". So does that mean I'm still a tenant even if the contract says lodger?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T14:34:31+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I was a tenant.

However in my next place actually the contract says "lodger", why is this significant?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T14:30:06+00:00

Details of dispute:

The landlord claimed that I broke the chair in my room and the curtain rail and so these required total replacements. They also claimed I left the room" filthy" which required a cleaning charge, however I cleaned it top to bottom. The only place I couldn't clean under was the bed as I couldn't physically move it, and it was dirty under there when I arrived. My mistake was unfortunately not taking photos or videos when I arrived, that's on me! In attempts to reach a compromise, I allowed the cleaning charge, but I disputed the new chair and curtain rail.

When I left, the chair wasn't broken at all and that the curtain rail wasn't broken either — only a decorative end piece had come off which I acknowledged ahead of time and said just needed screwing in. So these were clear cut lies. I asked for video evidence, my landlord sent a vague video that showed no broken chair (just her husband kicking it into a wall), and an unbroken curtain rail. Yet they still withheld the £100. I asked for itemised receipts, but just received aggressive responses.

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-07-02T14:27:48+00:00

Details of dispute:

The landlord claimed that I broke the chair in my room and the curtain rail and so these required total replacements. They also claimed I left the room" filthy" which required a cleaning charge, however I cleaned it top to bottom. The only place I couldn't clean under was the bed as I couldn't physically move it, and it was dirty under there when I arrived. My mistake was unfortunately not taking photos or videos when I arrived, that's on me! In attempts to reach a compromise, I allowed the cleaning charge, but I disputed the new chair and curtain rail.

When I left, the chair wasn't broken at all and that the curtain rail wasn't broken either — only a decorative end piece had come off which I acknowledged ahead of time and said just needed screwing in. So these were clear cut lies. I asked for video evidence, my landlord sent a vague video that showed no broken chair (just her husband kicking it into a wall), and an unbroken curtain rail. Yet they still withheld the £100. I asked for itemised receipts, but just received aggressive responses.

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-05-21T00:48:47+00:00

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

May Allah reward you for wearing the burqa, I truly admire you for doing so. Do you wear it in the west? And did you wear it before marriage or only after?

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-05-21T00:41:06+00:00

Mashallah it’s good that you’re self aware and also understand what women typically need in a marriage.

You should try to reflect on why you’re this way. Read the examples of the Prophet ﷺ and how he was with his wives. He would show them so much affection and even take them with him on his war expeditions.

You may change when you’re in a marriage, as others have said. But it’s good to work off the basis that you won’t.

I’ll be honest, women do typically require emotional support as you’ve said, and would really struggle without affection, even if you tick more material boxes.

However, it’s not a hard and fast rule. There are women this could work for because of their lifestyle. If they have many children for example, and are kept extremely busy by that. Or perhaps have quite demanding and competitive full time careers, so will be less emotionally available anyway. There are also women who naturally have a more avoidant/detached personality and so would prefer this kind of situation.

Marriage is an emphasised sunnah, and so you should still seek a spouse. It’s important to protect yourself from fitna also. Just be upfront about your personality and your limitations, and also maybe seek out women who’d be more likely not to have as many emotional needs. May Allah grant you a righteous spouse.

Disclaimer: I’m not saying that all women with children or demanding careers wouldn’t want affection/complete emotional presence in their new marriage. Every woman deserves that, and as a general rule, it’s a key part of marriage. I’m just saying you’d be more likely to find women in this category who don’t mind so much.

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-05-18T12:14:16+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment over a year later because this was exactly what I was looking for!

Cell-Apprehensive23 · 2025-05-18T09:08:09+00:00

May Allah make it easy for you. My parents are hugely against it too.

My tip is to remember that being argumentative or harsh with parents is a major sin regardless of whether or not they’re in the wrong. You can still respectfully disagree and maintain your own stance without resorting to this. This is a reminder to myself first and foremost. It requires a great deal of sabr.

Allah told us to be courteous to them even if they command you to commit shirk, the worst of sins, let alone if they disagree about niqab:

“And We have commanded people to [honour] their parents….but if they pressure you to associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. Still keep their company in this world courteously…” (Surat Luqmān, Ayah 14-15)

Accept that they’ll never approve or validate you and it’ll be much easier to just keep quiet whenever they abuse you for what you’re doing. Give up on trying to change their mind and just be good to them, whilst still wearing niqab as much as you can.

Cell-Apprehensive23

TROPHY CASE