hi there, after I repaid my lodgers deposits I received solicitors letters from them saying that I owe them between 1 & 3 months deposit under Section 213 of the Housing Act 2004 because I did not protect their deposits (which i didn't). It was a very short let while I was selling the property and I mistakenly decided it would be a good idea to sign an agreement with them which I copied and pasted from an AST - unfortunately the agreement said that I would protect the deposits .
However, I owned and lived-in the property at the time (recently sold it). According to web-sites that I have checked the room-renters were not in fact classified as tenants, they were simply lodgers in my home (e.g. see below), therefore ASTs do not apply
When I wrote back saying they were lodgers and not tenants and therefore they have no claim, they reduced their claims and are willing to settle for a smaller amount.
Any thoughts on whether I would win this if it were taken as far as court proceedings?
Appreciate any feed back here. Solicitors letters are quite intimidating /stressful
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/assured_shorthold_tenancies_with_private_landlords