UK Landlord Forum / Life

I was renting a property in a 10 month contract from the end of September until the 23rd of July. I wasn't using the property after the University semester ended in May. I don't remember who contacted who first, but an agreement was made between me and the company that handled the property. If I ended my tenancy early, I'd be refunded the rent I had already paid (as I'd paid in full weeks ago), as they had someone else ready to move in. When I went to the office to hand in my keys, the number "£160" was mentioned. That was how much money I had left in my account, i.e. how much rent I'd paid them that would no longer be applicable, as I had ended my tenancy.

However yesterday, I was phoned and told that I'd would only be given my deposit and £20 extra, not £160. I have no idea why it's only £20. What this means is that, if someone else is living there now, they're receiving two rent payments for the same property a the same time. Is that even legal? As it's only the 17th, I'm still technically paying rent for the property even though I have no keys or right to access it.

Is this right? Is this legal? It doesn't seem fair that I should have to continue paying rent on a property that I can't even enter, and that someone else is living in. If I'd still been paying my rent week by week, rather than having paid months in advance, would I be expected to go to the office right now and pay for this week, even though my tenancy has ended? Somehow I doubt it, so what gives them the right to keep the money I've paid to them, when the reason I paid them no longer exists?

I just want to make sure I'm in the right, legally speaking, before I bring the matter to them again.