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I rented a property that I voluntarily surrendered due to being unable to afford the rent. I missed a small amount of rent towards the last few months, which was almost all covered by my tenancy deposit which was retained by the landlord.
I have received an LBA out of the blue from the legal department of an insurance under writers firm. They state that they were the underwriters for an insurance firm that provided rent guarantee and legal expenses cover to the landlord. They state they paid out a few hundred pounds to cover unpaid rent, and thousand pounds in solicitors fees for advice on commencing re-possession proceedings even though they acknowledge I left voluntarily prior to any legal action being taken.
They are now looking to recover a substantial four figure sum which they say I owe them. They have sent the LBA by email as they do not have a current address for me.
Are they likely to take this to court? Do they need a notice of assignment from the landlord? Do they need to produce copies of tenancy agreements and deposit deductions etc? Can they charge me for thousands of pounds in legal advice for what will effectively end up in the small claims court?
They are not a debt collection agency, they are an underwriter who have already made their profit through charging insurance premiums to cover the risk.
Any advice appreciated.
I have received an LBA out of the blue from the legal department of an insurance under writers firm. They state that they were the underwriters for an insurance firm that provided rent guarantee and legal expenses cover to the landlord. They state they paid out a few hundred pounds to cover unpaid rent, and thousand pounds in solicitors fees for advice on commencing re-possession proceedings even though they acknowledge I left voluntarily prior to any legal action being taken.
They are now looking to recover a substantial four figure sum which they say I owe them. They have sent the LBA by email as they do not have a current address for me.
Are they likely to take this to court? Do they need a notice of assignment from the landlord? Do they need to produce copies of tenancy agreements and deposit deductions etc? Can they charge me for thousands of pounds in legal advice for what will effectively end up in the small claims court?
They are not a debt collection agency, they are an underwriter who have already made their profit through charging insurance premiums to cover the risk.
Any advice appreciated.
