What about the second-hand landlord absconding with money?

1. Because the second landlord sublets, the landlord doesn't know (or there is no written entrustment contract). Strictly speaking, the landlord has no obligation to return the second landlord's deposit to you. This is the agreement between the landlord and the second landlord. (Rent it to you without the landlord's consent) The behavior of the second landlord is that there is a breach of contract between the second landlord and the landlord! So you have to refund the deposit, and you can only find the second landlord for the rent. Is there any written evidence of your contract with the second landlord, "authorize him to rent" (copy of valid certificate, handprint. If not, your contract with the second landlord will not take effect and have no legal effect. Don't drag the contract between the landlord and the second landlord to the contract between you and the second landlord! Obviously, you were cheated by the second landlord and passed on the risk (loss) to you.

2. You are very passive about "the landlord must raise the rent", because you have not reached any effective agreement (or contract) with the landlord before, so you can only talk about your difficulties and let the landlord think from your point of view, so as to handle it better!

The most important thing is to find the second landlord! After finding it, it is easy to say whether it is a refund or an increase, whether it is public or private!