Can I use deposit for last month rent?

[Asjavo]

England, UK.

No lease was signed, it's a verbal agreement, and I normally pay rent on 1st of each month. I'm planning to give 30 day notice tomorrow and deduct the deposit from the last month rent.

It's either that or just up and leave without giving notice or paying a single penny, hoping landlord can't afford bringing me to court. I'm broke anyway so I can't pay the last month rent in full without using the deposit as part of it.

I know I can't use the deposit as part of the rent if a lease was signed... but nothing was ever signed. Not sure if this matter but landlord did not place my deposit on a tenancy scheme.

 

[mightymoose]

So long as there is no damage when you leave and there is no unpaid rent due, it should work out ok.

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Laws are different in the UK from the US. You need to check if it is legal to do so where you live (in some states in the US the security deposit cannot be used for the last months rent).

Failure to follow these laws could end you up in court; even if a landlord cannot collect owed monies, such a judgement would then be on your credit history, making getting another rental difficult.


Gail