UK Landlord Forum / Life

We are student from aboard and received an offer from a street agent and paid a holding deposit £800 on July 2, 2018 for a 2 beds then we return home town for summer and expected the contract to be commenced on Aug 15, 2018.

During such period while aboard, we kept on emails with the agent on the referencing process etc but it was always difficult to solicit any form of response from them whenever we contacted them on the progress. They either give excuses on responsible staff was on summer holiday or there's a slight problem on the referencing. We do not think we are able to get the key tomorrow.

Is it possible for us to request for a refund on the deposit?

Thank you for anyone if you hv some time to give us some ideas on how to go about with those cheater?