Can the Estate agent keep my deposit if we don't move into the house?

[Unregistered]

Hi everyone.

We found a property we were going to move into, we paid the 800€ deposit but have notw hit some problems.

We have NOT yet signed any contracts, all we have is a receipt for the 800€.

The agent says as we have changed our minds they will not return the money, are they allowed to keep this money?

Thank you for any advice received.

Iris

[Lawbird Lawyer]

Dear Madam,

As you have both emailed us privately and also asked this publicly I will reply here.

In your particular case the estate agent is obliged to refund you the 800€, yes, minus any expenses they may have incurred and which they can provide evidence on. i.e. sending someone to clean the property up as it was going to be let.

Yours faithfully,