I am writing to express my extreme disappointment and frustration regarding the non-refund of my security deposit for the property at 23 Cunningham Avenue, Hatfield. Despite vacating the premises over four months ago, the landlord, Mr. Paul, has not provided the necessary approval for the refund of my £500 deposit, which was lodged with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). Furthermore, I am appalled by the lack of cooperation and unprofessional conduct displayed by both Mr. Paul and the agency, Nicholas Humphrey. 4 other tenants, including myself, have been affected by this delay. I am also compelled to express my disappointment with the condition of the property. During my tenure, I encountered numerous issues, including: - Infestation of bed bugs - Worn-out floor carpets that were not replaced in five years - A creaky staircase that caused disturbance - Outdated electrical points that frequently burned out - Aging household equipment in the kitchen, including a ineffective vacuum cleaner - Leaking bathrooms that caused water damage to the downstairs bedroom pouring down like s rain 🌧️ or water fall. Disgusting. - very unhygienic - washrooms are always clogged. In light of these experiences, I strongly advise potential tenants to exercise caution when considering properties owned by Mr. Paul, who has multiple properties in and around Hatfield. I also urge caution when dealing with Nicholas Humphrey agency. The TDS tenancy deposit scheme, which is intended to protect tenants' deposits, appears to be ineffective in this instance. I hope that necessary measures will be taken to address these issues and prevent similar experiences for future tenants. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Response to Agents Reply Dear Mr. Beaty, I would like to clarify that I moved into 23 Cunningham Avenue, Hatfield, as an individual tenant, not as part of a group or with friends. I met my housemates after moving into the property. I urge you to avoid making assumptions about students being inherently irresponsible. While it's true that some individuals may cause damage, it's unfair to generalize this behavior to all students. In fact, the vast majority of students are respectful and responsible tenants, and it's essential to recognize and appreciate this Similarly, tenants could justifiably claim that all landlords prioritize rent collection over providing basic amenities and maintenance. This includes neglecting pest control, ignoring repairs, and unfairly shifting blame onto tenants. It's essential to recognize that such stereotypes can be detrimental and that both parties deserve fair treatment and respect. The agency's practice of deducting money from each tenant for damages, cleaning, and repainting raises concerns. With five separate rooms and tenants from different backgrounds, it's unfair to hold each person responsible for others' actions. I request that you collect damages from the responsible individuals and refund the remaining balance to the other tenants. I strongly disagree with the implication that residents introduced bed bugs into the property. Having personally encountered dead bed bugs in my own room, I believe it's clear that the infestation was pre-existing. Furthermore, your acknowledgment that the carpets were 5 years old at the time of our tenancy speaks to the underlying hygiene issues that contributed to the problem The bathrooms in the house had severe leakage issues, which caused significant water damage to the room below. The water leakage was so extensive that it poured down like a waterfall, creating an unacceptable and unhealthy living environment. This, combined with other issues, makes 23 Cunningham Avenue one of the most unhygienic and poorly maintained properties I've had the misfortune of occupying In conclusion, I request a fair refund of our deposits