Landlord Problems: Getting Deposit Back (was: How can i find out ?)

Not sure where the best place for this is, so if need be please move it to the appropriate place. Ta mods.
Anyways  I have a freind who was renting a room from a resident land lady.She doesn't own the flat so nt even sure she was legally allowed to sublet it . I was there when she viewed the flat/room and the land lady promised all kinds of things that never materialised. It was a short term let and she had paid deposit and one months rent.
This land lady went into my freinds room and took stuff out and had friends over all times of the day/night never got the things that were promised and we are talking about basic things like a sofa to sit on in the sitting room.. My freind had to eat all her meals in  her room etc. it was really bad and my freind decided she couldn not handle it due to all the weird behaviour of this woman. This woman actually spent the deposit  i was there when she told my freind that she had spent it as she wasn't working ..huh whats that all about .. Anyways my freind moved out landlady said she didn't have the deposit to give back to her but would have it by then end of sept as rent was mid month to mid month and my freind moved out before the next month was due.. My freind went to the flat and this woman was a no show didn't answer the phone or text or email..sigggggggggggh ..
That the backround.. Now the woman is a non uk citizen herself and i think she originally came here on a student visa as she said she had been studying. She told my freind that she didn't have a job that was one of the reasons she couldn't pay back the deposit never mind the fact that she shouldn't of spent it in the first place. siggggggggggh..
So im trying to find out if she is even in this country legally. and what the best way besides and/or in addition to going to small claims would be for my freind to get her hard earned money back. The whole situation has been a real nightmare for my poor friend who has fortunately since found a great flat near where she needs to be. But she really needs that money from the deposit..
Any and all suggestions are appreciated and i will pass them on.
Ta muchly folks
Kay

Hmmm.... 

If the woman is legal or illegal, how does that get your friend's money back?  It doesn't.

You're thinking a type of extortion or blackmail?  It seldom works, if ever.  And what would happen if she has "friends in Brixton"?

Based upon what you've written, the most expedient solution is to write it off and move on.

If the landlady didn't keep the deposit in a secure deposit scheme then she has broken the law, and your friend may have redress through the civil courts.  But he has no way to find out if she is illegal or not, really, it is none of his business.  I am with Garry on this.

Vicky

No im not thinking of blackmail or anything like that . Im honestly only trying to figure out the best way  to help my freind get the  money back. £380 is a lot of money to a struggling teacher..
I had a feeling that that court system was prolly the best way..
Ta folks..

I would do this....

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/claims/index.htm

Thanks Lucky .. was looking for something like that. Do you know if that site is for scotland as well?
Thanks again

I honesty don't know..but I am sure there must be a provision somewhere if not...