What if you never got a rentbook for your rented accomodation?

Question

Now after more than four years and over 60.000 euro having been paid in rent the landlord recons over the years some payments were missing and that he is owed more than 3000 euro, when asked about the month deposit he got when the house was first rented he says that this has been used(?) already > there was never a rent book so what can be prooved eitherway?

Answer 1

Unless you have been paying your rent in cash (I hope not) then there will be some record of payments made. This is one reason why Direct Debits benefit tenants as well as landlords.

So you'll have to get your old chequebooks and bank statements out and draw up a schedule of all payments made, amounts and dates, since the tenancy started. Ask the landlord what he means by your deposit being "used" ? Does he mean he has taken it in lieu of a rental payment ? If so, he should tell you which one. Once you have your schedule, with supporting paperwork, you will be in a strong position to demonstrate to your landlord that you owe him nothing.

If you have been paying in cash and not obtaining and keeping receipts, I really don't know what to advise you.

Answer 2

Did you ever get receipts for any of your rent payments as you made them? Or if you paid with check can you get copies of the canceled checks from your bank? That might help.

I am personally paranoid about something like this happening to me so I always make them right out a receipt when I hand in my rent check to my landlord and save them all in a file.

Answer 3

if you paid cash u cant prove you have paid its your word against his for both the rent and the deposit .if you paid by cheque or direct debit the bank should be able to supply you with proof .
i am guessing that your not uk but are europe ,it might be worth enquiring at the local council to see if they can help .good luck

Answer 4

You should be able to get statements from your bank to say when withdrew the money.
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