Providence Properties and Providence Lets, letting agents for student properties in Leeds, were shamed on this week's programme for not returning students’ deposits.
Returning deposits
Over the past 18 months the Student Advice Centre at Leeds University Union has been working closely with several difficult student letting agents/landlords to secure the return of thousands of pounds in students’ deposits. So far they have managed to reclaim more than £70,000 in disrepairs and deposits that landlords tried to retain.
Andrea Kerslake, housing manager at Leeds University Union’s Student Advice Centre, has been working on these cases. “There aren’t many difficult student landlords in Leeds, but we are pro-active in pursuing those that are.
"It’s great we have managed to reclaim thousands of pounds from difficult student landlords and it’s really important that students are coming to the Student Advice Centre to inform us of situations where landlords are not returning deposits.”
Unanswered letters
Leeds University Union’s Student Advice Centre is still dealing with Tariq Zaman, director of Providence Properties and Providence Lets, however.
“We are still working very closely with Tariq Zaman to resolve cases on Providence Properties and Providence Lets," says Andrea. "Unfortunately, though, all letters to Tariq have gone unanswered and, despite early promises to clear cases, Providence Properties and Providence Lets are failing to respond adequately to issues raised.
"In some cases they have failed to provide return of deposit money that they have already offered. We are aware of court action that has been taken, where students have been successful against Tariq Zaman and Providence Lets, and are awaiting payments.”