Since November none of the people we met have had their money back. Understandably they're furious.

Students Kate Hattersley and Rick Lord took Tariq to court and won. But there's still no sign of their deposits.

Kate and Rick resorted to using bailiffs to try and get the money back the court says they're owed. But the bailiffs couldn't find anything registered in Tariq's name to seize.

Kate said "I want my money back. I just want my money back. I know it's been a long time but it's still a lot of money."

It seems incredible that even with the law behind them, these students still haven't had their money back. We've now heard from plenty more people who say they haven't had their deposit back either. We needed answers from Tariq who has now resigned from Providence Properties Ltd, and were determined to track him down. When we finally did catch up with him he wasn't too keen to talk.

Eventually Tariq did agree to speak but despite the judgements against him he refused to accept he should give the money back.

Tariq said: "A lot of students, they want nice houses, but they just totally abuse them. I made a mistake, every time I received a county court judgement, because the tenant has been wrong, and I have not challenged them. Every single case I am going to reopen them and challenge every single case."

We've seen evidence that properties weren't damaged at all. But warming to his theme Tariq decides to show us exactly how students treat his houses.

We decided at Watchdog to take him up on the offer but were surprised when he took us to one that even he had to admit was in perfect nick.

He's keen to show us more but we don't bother, and we're no closer to knowing why he's still holding on to tenants' money.

Following our meeting with Tariq Zaman in Leeds, he sent us the following statement:

"I am a landlord involved in the student lettings market which, at times, can be a contentious business to be in. Often, student houses are vacated in a less than satisfactory condition and works are often required to rectify damage or losses at the houses. This is why deposits are taken in the first place.

"You will note that after being interviewed, I offered Mr Campbell the opportunity to visit some student properties that I own and operate.

"I offered Mr Campbell this opportunity to show the wide spectrum of student accommodation and the varying conditions in which it can be left.

"I note that Mr Campbell and his camera crew declined the opportunity to do so. For the sake of balanced reporting I would request that this point is made very clear in your broadcast.

"You will undoubtedly appreciate that there are cases where deposit money has to be used to rectify damage or losses then this can often result in a contentious situation.

"I wish to point out that all of my deposits are now lodged in compliance with the statutory tenancy deposit scheme.

"I am aware that there have been several County Court judgments against me. I stand by my comments that having County Court judgments against you does not make you a criminal. CCJs are purely a civil matter.

"For the avoidance of doubt, I am not aware of any current or previous criminal investigations involving me.

"I also stand by my comments that having a County Court judgment against someone does not mean that you will get your money back. There are many situations in which having a County Court judgement against someone does not mean you will get your money back including (for example) a situation where you get a judgment against someone but they don't have the money to pay the judgment; that is, enforcement action is unsuccessful. Another situation is where a judgment is obtained and no enforcement action is taken.

"I would suggest that this is not a question of my opinion, it is a fact.

"Having carefully reviewed my own records, I have noted that the judgments against me were granted, in the main, because I failed to defend the court actions being brought against me and therefore judgments were awarded in default. I do not recall an occasion where I actually attended court to present my side of the story. I should, of course, have attended court and defended the County Court actions, but running my business did not allow me the time to do so.

"I do now intend to seek appropriate professional advice to look at those judgments made against me."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2008/12/providence_properties_update.html