Deposit terms

Letting Agents

On behalf of my son I have paid an agent £1000 as a holding deposit on a house he is going to share with friends at university. I was verbally told that the money would be fully refundable if for any reason the let did not go ahead. I paid the money based on this verbal assurance. Looking at the paper work and foolishly reading it after the payment was made as I was in a hurry and accepeted the verbal assurances, the paper work says the deposit isn't refundable and if the references are not accepted that they can refuse us without giving an explanation and keep the deposit. The paper work required a signature but I did not sign it and it was not signed by the agent either. there is no note saying that payment represents agreement of the terms and conditions. the agent involved is Rountree real Estates of Hendon. What are the chances of recovering my deposit if this does not for any reason move forward? the money was paid yesterday morning. Thank you