Recovering Rented Property Deposits

[Bikboks]

Friends of mine recently left the house they were renting and terminated their agreement quite properly, including giving and paying for the three months' notice necessary.

They were excellent tenants and left the property in good order and even paid for a telephone connection, including a new pole and all cabling, while there since there wasn't one installed previously.

Now the landlord is refusing to give any of their deposit back and has written an abusive letter to them claiming that its retention is necessary to cover alleged damage, all of which is either normally the landlord's risk - i.e. a leaking roof - or untrue.

I understand that there is a personal function or department, other than a notaire, to whom such disputes can be referred. Does anyone know if this is correct, and who this person/office is?

Thank you in anticipation.

Malcolm Hipple