Rental problems? Get legal advice

Questioner

I rent a room and was recently evicted. My three housemates and I had to move out within six weeks, while our contract was far from over. The reason was that he was going to renovate. We sent an email back that we could not move out within six weeks, but that we wanted to accommodate him and be out of the house within six months. I have now found another house and want to offset my deposit with my last month's rent, because I am afraid that I will not get my deposit back otherwise, since he has indicated that he has financial problems. Not a nail has been hammered into the wall yet, because I have not had time for that in the few months that I have been in the room. My question is whether I can offset the deposit against the last month's rent or is this really prohibited and what measures can he take?

Lawyer

The deposit is in principle intended for rent arrears or defects to the rented property that are the tenant's responsibility. You cannot simply offset this against the last month's rent. The landlord can put you in default of payment of the rent and claim costs incurred. I advise you to pay the rent on time and then ask for the deposit back. If he does not want this, please contact me for further assistance.