Been Let Down on our Holiday Villa Can't get Deposit returned!!!

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 11:18

After booking our holiday Villa in Northern Cyprus last November, we have been told it is no longer being let as it is now up for sale. We were promised the return of our deposit. Over the past few weeks we have had very scetchy e-mails from the person we booked from.

He now wants us to open a Bank Account in Kyrenia so he can pay us our deposit back into this Bank from his own Kyrenian Bank Account. Does anyone know why he wants us to do this as it seems rather odd to me. We paid our money into a British Account and want it paid back into our British Account but he does not want to do this.

Anyone who can explain this, it would be appreciated.

Kirsty

ttoli


Joined: 24/03/2007
Posts: 1172

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 11:28

Perhaps they dont have the finances in their UK account?

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 11:29

They probably want to avoid costs in sending money out from a TRNC account.

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 11:56

I thought of this but he also refused to meet me to give me the cash when I'm in Northern Cyprus!

ttoli


Joined: 24/03/2007
Posts: 1172

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:00

Have you asked the bank, where you stand ?, Good legal advice on the forum of http://www.moneysavingexpert.com

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:01

Kirsty



Alas, it sounds like the villa owner has no intention of repaying your deposit. I believe that you have been more than accommodating in offering him a number of options to reimburse you, the fact that he has not taken you up on your offer(s) seems to indicate that he has no intention of paying.



I don't really know if there is any way to pursue this except through legal means, but this is likely to cost much more than your initial deposit.



The very best of luck in trying to get your money back.



Best wishes



Paul

millzer


Joined: 12/04/2007
Posts: 978

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:02

What an appalling way to treat somebody Kirsty!!! Have you found somewqhere else to stay now?



So, HE messes YOU about by cancelling your rental agreement and then has the audacity to ask YOU to open a bloody bank account!!! And why can't he hand over the cash if you meet up? Seems to me you'll be lucky to get your money back!



If its all as you say then why don't you name him and put his e-mail address on this forum and we can all e-mail the ******g little weasel and tell him to PAY UP.

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:03

Name him/them.

Bricks and windows.................

piggy


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 132

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:04

If he persists in holding back your deposit, name and shame him on this board, he may then think twice about with-holding your deposit.



Good luck!

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:08

What a nasty thing to do,people work hard for their holidays the place must be sitting empty if its up for sale..It would only take a clean up after a let..My bet is they have let it long term.





Spider,X

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:12

I presume they have done a number of lets ask them if they have paid the tax on the rentals as you feel the TRNC needs all its monies as you do .

Then say that you will be checking at the tax offices that the tax has been paid on rentals

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:32

Thank you all for your replies.

We have now managed to get another villa but it is disappointing to lose our deposit.



I will e-mail him and ask about the tax, maybe he will be frightened into returning our deposit.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:47

It really would help other holidaymakers to name this man you booked from - so they may avoid him and his tricks. In my opinion: if you don't do it your post is rather selfish.

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 12:53

I have e-mailed him and if I do not get a response to let me know the money is being returned to me within the next few days, I will take great pleasure in naming and shaming him on this forum but I would like to give him the last chance to redeem himself. I have told him his name and e-mail address will be posted here if I do not receive a response. I hope you all understand this.

Jefferson


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 360

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 13:59

Not only name him but also the address. Maybe it could be difficult for him to sell?

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 14:03

Especially with broken windows............

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 14:18

Kirsty do you have any friends in Northern Cyprus with a local bank account where the money could be paid or is there any way that this money could be put towards payment of your new rental villa again via a local bank account? Could be a bit complicated but if all else fails ...

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 14:19

wanderer makes a good point in msg 11



The TRNC would be delighted to hear details of this guy and check whether he has been paying tax on his income from holiday rentals ! ;-)

This threat alone may get you your deposit back.....good luck.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 14:23

How did you book the villa in the first place? He has a UK bank account I would sue him in a UK county court (you can do that online) and get an order against his bank account. If no luck in getting your money back you may wish to contact that banks fraud department as he may be money laundering. What will he do without a UK bank account? You may also wish to contact the TRNC tax authorities with the details of the villa and rental business for them to check they have received the rental taxes.

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 14:38

Thanks again to everyone for all your help and advice.

Will give it all a try.

CJtill


Joined: 02/05/2008
Posts: 836

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 15:12

Just make things as awkward as possible for him, and if he does not pay up then follow through with all the ideas mentioned above.

The naming and shaming is the best though.



Michael

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 16:23

Perhaps threaten him with UK tax office to check his account?

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 16:58

Thanks again to everyone for all your help and advice.

Will give it all a try.

gazmufc78


Joined: 03/09/2009
Posts: 366

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 19:11

He can give me the cash and I will transfer on the internet banking to you just set it up and I will call on him.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 21:12

Sue him through the UK Small Claims Court. If he has a UK bank account he must have a UK address.



I would certainly do what everyone else has said and that is name him, name the address of house and advise the UK and TRNC tax authorities as to what has happened. You have nothing to loose but this man certainly does. I wonder how many times he has let the property and not paid tax on the income.



Also contact the TRNC Consumers Association, the details are on this forum if you search.



You have no need to loose your money. With all the above info behind you, you can approach the man with all the info and the details on this forum and if he does not back down then his problem.

zerochlor


Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 4024

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 21:19

message 23



kirsty.



if you wish to use a bank account in TRNC in the next couple of days,email me and il give you a account number and name that you can offer him to put the money into for you.



You can then instruct me to send the money to you western union which will cost you a little bit of commission to western union,or i could send it to you online,or you can collect it when your here for your holiday.



Just a thought to see if he is being honest when he asked you to open a bank account or have 1,call his bluff first i think?

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 21:47

We have a saying in Turkish "gözünün üzerinde kasin vardir" which means "You have your eyebrows above your eyes" which means there is always an excuse if you do not want to do it.

So you are going to ask the landlord to pay the deposit into the bank account of someone else. Absolutely no way!! That would be a genuine reason and not one made up

ismet

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 21:53

Nope, not a clue what that means..

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 21:55

I must agree with Ismet.



If he won't give you a full refund,direct to yourself,then follow the steps outlined above by various posters.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 22:13

Kirsty,

You mentioned that you had actually managed to rent alternative accommodation - if that is still in TRNC, then you will be coming here on holiday - yes?

If that is the case, then ask him if he will give you the cash in person while you are here - it sounds to me as though he may just want to avoid paying excessive transfer fees for a (relatively ) small amount of money.

Even if he prefers to hand you a cheque, I am sure that one of the people here would pay it into their bank account, and then give you the cash once it's cleared.

Good luck with it anyway - & I hope that stronger action isn't needed!

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 22:16

Keith see Msg4, she's already asked him this.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 22:18

Do not take a cheque, a large number of people here are banned from issuing cheques. Take cash only then you will not be disappointed.

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
02/08/2010 23:22

Am I right in thinking that the villa is in Ozankoy? If so I may have some information for you.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 09:49

Thanks cooper,

My short-term memory is getting worse

Well, definitely sounds like a dodgy geezer then!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 10:06

If his final answer is 'no' - you'll find that a flying brick, or a tyre iron, works wonders!

Ailletoo


Joined: 24/01/2009
Posts: 1003

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 10:55

Please name this person preferably with the address of the accommodation in question. This will be of help to any other hapless person who he may try to defraud.

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 11:19

Wonder if he took other deposits? Could this be a new scam? Take a number of deposits then say the house is being sold?

Just a thought.

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 13:47

Ballyboffin, if you have any info you want to e-mail to me, address is kevinkirsty@dsl.pipex.com

zerochlor


Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 4024

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 14:16

message 27



"gözünün üzerinde kasin vardir"



turkey or and cyprus could write a best seller book on excuses.



wheres Dr Who and the darlicks!!

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 16:30

Is the said villa in Ozankoy Kirsty?

rocky


Joined: 17/10/2007
Posts: 1749

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 16:32

this is going on a bit why not name and shame and report he /she has probably received rentals as previously reommended by learned persons on this thread

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 18:01

Yes Ozankoy

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 20:32

And was it through Holiday Lettings?

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 21:33

No it wasn't.

Having corresponded again with the owner, I am sure he will return the deposit asap.

Thanks again to all for all your help in this matter.

Kirsty


Joined: 22/06/2010
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 23:39

No it wasn't.

Having corresponded again with the owner, I am sure he will return the deposit asap.

Thanks again to all for all your help in this matter.

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 23:47

Kirsy its nice to see that you may well have a positive outcome. It seems the matter is now closed good luck.





Spider,X