The issue regarding the non-return of deposits (or 'key money') to tenants is unfortunately becoming a common complaint.
Your original letting agreement - I hope you still retain a copy of this (or I presume you could request a copy of it from the Letting Agency) should help to clarify matters. The letting agreement should clearly set out the rules regarding vacating the property and returning deposits. If you signed this agreement - then you agreed with the terms of the letting contract so you should have been aware about what would happen regarding your deposit when you left.
Agreeing to return a deposit within 1 day of vacating a property seems to me to be a very, very short time. What for example about the costs of any outstanding utilities (i.e., gas, electricity or telephone?). However, if this 1 day later return of your deposit is what was agreed with the letting agency, then that's your agreement.
I am presuming therefore that the Letting Agency came around in advance of you vacating the property and carried out a full and thorough examination of the property? Did you receive any written confirmation of the high standard of cleanliness of the house or was this just verbal?
If the house was inspected before you left and the letting agency agreed you left the accommodation in an acceptable condition AND you can prove the agreement was the return of your desposit within 1 day of leaving the accommodation, then I think you may have a case to bring to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).
The length of time it takes for the PRTB to process a case depend on the complexity of matters, what stage the parties are at, etc. I would suggest you get in touch with them directly for more specific information
01 - 8882834. They are dealing with more and more cases relating to the non-return of deposits so they can probably give you a fairly good idea of how long it will take to process your case. I might also suggest that you take a look at the PRTB website as it provides useful information on the process involved: (
http://www.prtb.ie).
By all means if you feel the Letting Agency have broken the terms of their agreement with you and are acting unfairly, I'd advise you to take them to the PRTB. However, remember to take a good look through the original letting agreement with the Letting Agency and read the small print. Also assemble as much written evidence of your agreement as you can, including e-mails, letters, etc.
In the past, too many tenants either gave up or didn't know how to seek redress in such matters so I am glad to hear you are aware of your rights.
However, I still have to say again that returning a deposit within 1 day of leaving rented accommodation seems to me to be a very short time-frame - but if that was a term of your agreement then they appear to have broken it and you may have a good case.
I would be very interested in hearing how this one turns out.
CMCR.