I'm a student landlord (live-in, during term time) in Nottingham and I've got a lodger who is sueing me for his rent and deposit. Essentially the guy moved into the house in June (while I was on holiday) and lived there (as far as I know) for two months before leaving due to failing his University exams. The keys and contracts (a copy for him and one for me) were given to him by one of my other lodgers at the time but I was never sent my copy of the contract. While he was living at the house he paid me the deposit and one month's rent by bank transfer. He phoned me during my summer holidays to tell me that he had failed and ask if it was ok to move out. I gave him permission to leave on the condition that he posted me the keys and the contract. I never received the keys (so have since changed the locks) and when we arrived back at the house it was obvious that he had been living there for some time. The kitchen and bathroom required extensive cleaning and the blind in his room needed replacing as he had used drawing pins to secure it to the wall. I attempted to contact him asking for the rent that was owed me and the bills that he had also not paid for but he didn't answer his emails or phone. I deducted the rent, bills and cleaning money from the deposit and then emailed him asking him to check this and give me his bank details so that I could transfer him the remainder of his deposit. I then received a voice-mail message saying that he was unhappy with this and going to take legal action. I have now received a N1 Claim form from Birmingham County Court saying that the deposit and rent money should not have been paid as we had been unable to agree. The Particulars on the form are as follows: "I am a student at Nottingham University and in May of 2007 I spoke to Chris Tayler concerning a rental of a room in a house at Nottingham. I met Chris in May but I had hope to b able to move in June 30th. We had several conversations but Chris Tayler had left by June 16th. I came to the house June 21st but Chris had gone. We could not agree on various issues but monies were paid into this bank account which I wish returned. " Should I obtain legal advice on this matter or simply return the Dispute form filled in by myself? If this case were to go to court is it likely that I would be found to be in the wrong (even though I don't think that I am)? Thanks for any thoughts on the matter.