SIR In the current house-buying climate, more and more people are finding they have to rent a property and I would urge anyone about to sign a lease through a letting agent, or indeed those who are currently renting through an agent, to ensure they know their rights.

I recently moved out of such a property and at the time, overpaid the rent as this was paid by direct debit.

It has taken the threat of court action to obtain a refund of these monies, with the letting agent initially stating that it was down to the landlord even though I had signed the agreement with them and paid a substantial lease fee for the privilege.

I would advise all tenants of letting agents to obtain written confirmation of how rent and bond monies would be calculated when they leave the property.

Miss J Ingham, Garthwaite Mount, Allerton.