Letting case study: ‘It was about right and wrong’

SCOTT Kuku was “desperate” to secure a property when he approached a letting agency to rent a flat in Edinburgh last August, and agreed to pay a £320 “withholding deposit”.

However, the firm then told him that he would not be allowed to rent the flat as his income was less than £18,000 a year. When Mr Kuku asked for a refund there was no response and he decided to take court action. The company offered to repay £200, telling him there would be an administration charge of £120. Mr Kuku said: “I told them that, out of principle, I wanted my money back in full.”

With the help of Shelter Scotland, he pursued the firm in court, and the agent was ordered to refund him the full £320. Mr Kuku, from Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, said: “It was about right and wrong. I hope that my case shows people it’s possible to get your money back with a little determination.”