Requesting a refund of your holiday home deposit - Legal Advice Centre

Questioner

My boyfriend and I paid a deposit for a holiday home last Saturday. This was because the landlord was pushing us to rent it out. We didn't get a chance to think about it because otherwise the house would be rented out to others. We had to think about it within 10 minutes. My boyfriend and I paid the deposit because we were afraid that the house would indeed be rented out to others. After thinking about it, we came to the conclusion that the house is not suitable for us and we don't trust the whole thing there. (Landlord didn't shake our hands, didn't make eye contact). Now our question is whether we could get our deposit back or at least part of it.

Lawyer

In principle, that will be difficult, even if you were in the right, because how do you make sure that you get the deposit refunded? Are there any conditions? When is the rental date? Does the landlord have time to find another tenant for that period? How much did you pay in advance?

Questioner

There were no clear conditions stated. We could move in on February 1st. It is on a holiday park. The gentleman made it clear that the cottages were rented out like cabbage. Of the 50 cottages, this was the only cottage that was still for rent (said the gentleman). The deposit was €275,-

Lawyer

Yes, the problem now is that you have to prove the pressure he exerted (witnesses?) and/or the landlord has to prove that he can not rent the house again in this period. I can try it for you in a legal e-mail. Please contact me directly.