My son paid half the deposit to rent a flat but pulled out the next day. Now the lettings agency won’t refund any of his money. I wondered what his legal rights are?
Your son may have signed a contract to rent the property for six months. If he did, the agreement he put his name to is likely to state what happens to the deposit in these circumstances. He should read the contract carefully: the agency may be entitled to keep the deposit in lieu of rent while they search for another tenant. If he didn’t sign anything, or the conditions relating to payment of a deposit weren’t properly explained to him, he may have a claim against the agency for his money back. If the other person also loses out, they may be entitled to compensation from your son!