Estate Agent Woes
Discussion
Hi, I’m at the end of my tether at the moment and thought I’d ask for some advice/guidance.
Currently renting a house which the landlord is selling, the date I have to vacate is on Tuesday 14th August.
I went to the local estate agents and viewed a place, gave them my timescale and the deadline I had to move in, they agreed this was possible so put the holding fee down on the 3rd.
I gave them all the required documentation in person (passport and bank statements) on Monday 6th and paid the fees and the deposit and then only on Thursday afternoon (9th) got an email from the referencing company asking to start the referencing application!
Phoned up the estate agents and they said it may take up to five working days, I asked why they waited four days before getting the ball rolling and then they clammed up and started blaming me.
My girlfriend phoned the referencing company and got confirmation that the application for referencing had only just submitted by the agents.
Just wondering what I can actually do now if I can’t move in Monday as the Estate agents knew what the timescale I had was and my deadline (I have recordings of this as my mobile by default records all calls and also the emails).
If I can’t move in then I’ll have to put the stuff into storage and tbh I’ve lost faith in this estate agency as they said on the listing for the property that it included a garage and now it turns out that it doesn’t, also the fees charged are over £500!
For my last move it was all done and dusted in less than a week and they only charged £200 in fees so I expected similar here.
Tempted to look at other agents/properties now and just live in a Hotel for a while if the Monday 13th is missed and I have to put my belongings into storage, can I expect to get the Fees and deposit back if I can’t move in on Monday?
Thanks.
Currently renting a house which the landlord is selling, the date I have to vacate is on Tuesday 14th August.
I went to the local estate agents and viewed a place, gave them my timescale and the deadline I had to move in, they agreed this was possible so put the holding fee down on the 3rd.
I gave them all the required documentation in person (passport and bank statements) on Monday 6th and paid the fees and the deposit and then only on Thursday afternoon (9th) got an email from the referencing company asking to start the referencing application!
Phoned up the estate agents and they said it may take up to five working days, I asked why they waited four days before getting the ball rolling and then they clammed up and started blaming me.
My girlfriend phoned the referencing company and got confirmation that the application for referencing had only just submitted by the agents.
Just wondering what I can actually do now if I can’t move in Monday as the Estate agents knew what the timescale I had was and my deadline (I have recordings of this as my mobile by default records all calls and also the emails).
If I can’t move in then I’ll have to put the stuff into storage and tbh I’ve lost faith in this estate agency as they said on the listing for the property that it included a garage and now it turns out that it doesn’t, also the fees charged are over £500!
For my last move it was all done and dusted in less than a week and they only charged £200 in fees so I expected similar here.
Tempted to look at other agents/properties now and just live in a Hotel for a while if the Monday 13th is missed and I have to put my belongings into storage, can I expect to get the Fees and deposit back if I can’t move in on Monday?
Thanks.
It sounds like a s
t letting agent. When I used to rent any of the ones that wanted to use a credit reference agency were always the ones to avoid.
All they need is proof of income in a pay slip, previous landlord/letting agent reference and a deposit.
The ones that hide behind the credit agencies always charge through the nose and it’s just a way to squeeze more money from you.
Have they also said you need home insurance and must use their preferred insurance company? That was another scam the rubbish ones always used.
Ive got a vague memory of a few rogue letting agents getting fined for forcing people to use rip off insurance policies and pay for credit reference checks.
If possible find one people recommend locally.
t letting agent. When I used to rent any of the ones that wanted to use a credit reference agency were always the ones to avoid. All they need is proof of income in a pay slip, previous landlord/letting agent reference and a deposit.
The ones that hide behind the credit agencies always charge through the nose and it’s just a way to squeeze more money from you.
Have they also said you need home insurance and must use their preferred insurance company? That was another scam the rubbish ones always used.
Ive got a vague memory of a few rogue letting agents getting fined for forcing people to use rip off insurance policies and pay for credit reference checks.
If possible find one people recommend locally.
If you have an AST you are entitled to two months notice to leave, so demand that from your landlord.
Not that it helps your current predicament, but if he gave you the required notice in June, but you only started looking for a new place a week or so ago, I'm not sure it's the letting agent at fault here.
Not that it helps your current predicament, but if he gave you the required notice in June, but you only started looking for a new place a week or so ago, I'm not sure it's the letting agent at fault here.
hutchst said:
If you have an AST you are entitled to two months notice to leave, so demand that from your landlord.
Not that it helps your current predicament, but if he gave you the required notice in June, but you only started looking for a new place a week or so ago, I'm not sure it's the letting agent at fault here.
it sounds like thats what as already happened, section 21 60 days notice.Not that it helps your current predicament, but if he gave you the required notice in June, but you only started looking for a new place a week or so ago, I'm not sure it's the letting agent at fault here.
Hi, to clarify a few points, I've been given the two months notice by my current landlord to vacate and had a new place lined up (through a friend) back in June but in July that fell through due to some issues the person had with HRMC wanting backdated taxes.
My girlfriend first contacted the Estate agents at the end of July and gave them our timeframe and the absolute deadline for moving out of our current property, she asked for the 10th and the estate agents said they would try but said it may be up to the 13th till we could move in.
My girlfriend and myself have a perfect credit score on Experian and provided bank statements that show that either of us could pay the full 12 months rent in advance if needs be so hopefully the Estate agents will see sense and give us the go ahead even if the referencing company haven't given the go ahead by Monday.
Just wondering if it doesn't go through then can ask for the money we have paid so far to them refunded?
We gave them the timeframe and absolute deadline for moving and they haven't shown any urgency waiting three days before sending documentation to the referencing company even though they said they would do it asap and so as a result missed the deadline.
It's been a pretty stressful past couple of days due to the uncertainty, thanks.
My girlfriend first contacted the Estate agents at the end of July and gave them our timeframe and the absolute deadline for moving out of our current property, she asked for the 10th and the estate agents said they would try but said it may be up to the 13th till we could move in.
My girlfriend and myself have a perfect credit score on Experian and provided bank statements that show that either of us could pay the full 12 months rent in advance if needs be so hopefully the Estate agents will see sense and give us the go ahead even if the referencing company haven't given the go ahead by Monday.
Just wondering if it doesn't go through then can ask for the money we have paid so far to them refunded?
We gave them the timeframe and absolute deadline for moving and they haven't shown any urgency waiting three days before sending documentation to the referencing company even though they said they would do it asap and so as a result missed the deadline.
It's been a pretty stressful past couple of days due to the uncertainty, thanks.
speak to your current landlord. Assuming that they are not moving back in on the day you leave, a couple of days may not be a problem.
If they cut up rough, for the sake of it, point out you are doing your best, been messed about, and evicting you would take months. Ask them nicely if they really can't come to some sort of arrangement.
If they cut up rough, for the sake of it, point out you are doing your best, been messed about, and evicting you would take months. Ask them nicely if they really can't come to some sort of arrangement.
Thought I'd give an update on this, in retrospect I wish I'd just cut my losses and lost the deposit as it's just gone from bad to worse.
Finally moved in on the Saturday, my previous landlord/estate agents were nice and gave me an extra 48 hours but that was the max as scheduled work needed to be carried out so I had to pay to put my stuff into storage and two sets of removals instead of one.
I'm paying the upper range of rent for this two bed flat in my area (£1400pm) so I expected better as it's a well known estate agency (part of the group that is a type of tree), I can't even use the place at the moment as I can't use the kitchen sink or the appliances due to them not working.
Longish read
Finally moved in on the Saturday, my previous landlord/estate agents were nice and gave me an extra 48 hours but that was the max as scheduled work needed to be carried out so I had to pay to put my stuff into storage and two sets of removals instead of one.
I'm paying the upper range of rent for this two bed flat in my area (£1400pm) so I expected better as it's a well known estate agency (part of the group that is a type of tree), I can't even use the place at the moment as I can't use the kitchen sink or the appliances due to them not working.
Longish read
Email I sent earlier said:
Hi, please could something be done about the condition of the flat I've just moved into, it's a health hazard with mould in both the dishwasher and washing machine, the kitchen is currently uninhabitable due to the kitchen tap leaking which leaves my partner and myself without a clean drinking water supply.
I have compiled a list of some of the issues, I would like these sorted asap as it's completely unacceptable to expect anyone to live in conditions like these:
Kitchen is leaking
Power socket in kitchen affixed with duct tape, screw in one side isn't secured
Washing machine smells and is full of mould
Dishwasher has ingrained dirt/mould and smells, filter likely blocked
Front doorbell doesn't work
Low water pressure from shower, shower periodically flashes with low pressure warning
No curtain rail fixings so woken by the sunlight at 5am each day and loss of privacy as flats look out onto other flats at the same level.
Cables for the TV signal are bare and not terminated
Paint on Carpets and tiles
I contacted xxxxxxx yesterday via both email and went to the office in person yet still nothing is being done.
This whole process has been a joke, when my partner first saw the property listed back at the end of July it looked decent in the photos and the description (which was false as the garage wasn't actually included despite being in the brochure and advertised online).
When we viewed the flat it looked superficially clean, unfortunately we didn't actually open the appliances and discover they were full of mould and detritus until we had moved in at the weekend.
This whole process has cost me hundreds of pounds in extra fees, the agreed deadline we had when we put down the deposit was the 13th August but we weren't allowed to move in until this Saturday 18th which meant instead of moving the belongings from our old place into this one we had to put them into storage and pay for two lots of removals instead of one and also arrange temporary accommodation.
I would like this sorted as soon as possible as I believe I've been completely reasonable whilst having to deal with a lot of issues that a private tenant dealing with a professional estate agency shouldn't have to experience.
Thanks, Simon.
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Plug
Leaking sink
Not really sure where to go from here tbh as I'm just being ignored I have compiled a list of some of the issues, I would like these sorted asap as it's completely unacceptable to expect anyone to live in conditions like these:
Kitchen is leaking
Power socket in kitchen affixed with duct tape, screw in one side isn't secured
Washing machine smells and is full of mould
Dishwasher has ingrained dirt/mould and smells, filter likely blocked
Front doorbell doesn't work
Low water pressure from shower, shower periodically flashes with low pressure warning
No curtain rail fixings so woken by the sunlight at 5am each day and loss of privacy as flats look out onto other flats at the same level.
Cables for the TV signal are bare and not terminated
Paint on Carpets and tiles
I contacted xxxxxxx yesterday via both email and went to the office in person yet still nothing is being done.
This whole process has been a joke, when my partner first saw the property listed back at the end of July it looked decent in the photos and the description (which was false as the garage wasn't actually included despite being in the brochure and advertised online).
When we viewed the flat it looked superficially clean, unfortunately we didn't actually open the appliances and discover they were full of mould and detritus until we had moved in at the weekend.
This whole process has cost me hundreds of pounds in extra fees, the agreed deadline we had when we put down the deposit was the 13th August but we weren't allowed to move in until this Saturday 18th which meant instead of moving the belongings from our old place into this one we had to put them into storage and pay for two lots of removals instead of one and also arrange temporary accommodation.
I would like this sorted as soon as possible as I believe I've been completely reasonable whilst having to deal with a lot of issues that a private tenant dealing with a professional estate agency shouldn't have to experience.
Thanks, Simon.
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Plug
Leaking sink
What happened at your move in inspection? Sounds like the agent is letting themselves in for problems, if you can face dealing with it all.
Get on to your local council or CAB, or even the property owener. Read up on your rights...
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-landlords-...
Electrical safety
Your landlord must make sure:
the electrical system is safe, for example sockets and light fittings
all appliances they supply are safe, for example cookers and kettles
Get on to your local council or CAB, or even the property owener. Read up on your rights...
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-landlords-...
Electrical safety
Your landlord must make sure:
the electrical system is safe, for example sockets and light fittings
all appliances they supply are safe, for example cookers and kettles
The electrical and plumbing issues would be dealt with immediately by any decent LL as soon as she was aware. Socket and sink are quick and easy fixes. Water pressure may not be fixable quickly
Are the dishwasher and washing machine on the inventory and shown as supplied as part of the rent? If so, they should be working properly too. In the short term, i would run both empty with a vanish / dr Beckmann / poundshop washing machine / dishwasher cleaner and see how that turned out.
Are the dishwasher and washing machine on the inventory and shown as supplied as part of the rent? If so, they should be working properly too. In the short term, i would run both empty with a vanish / dr Beckmann / poundshop washing machine / dishwasher cleaner and see how that turned out.
Hi, I haven't been given an inventory yet
The estate agents contractors came today to look at the plumbing, took one look at it and said it was installed completely wrong so wouldn't drain, I don't know anything about plumbing but he said the T is in the wrong direction, wrong bend is being used so it won't drain properly.
He wouldn't touch it as he's contracted for remedial works so another plumber is coming in.
I had a look today in detail at the gas certificate I was emailed on the day of move in (was in pdf format along with a dozen other ones) and it show's that the gas applicance is unsafe to use!
|https://thumbsnap.com/LpmSlpTz[/url]
The oven literally comes away from the wall when you try and open it as there's no fixings whatsoever.
[url]
928 said:
What happened at your move in inspection? Sounds like the agent is letting themselves in for problems, if you can face dealing with it all.
Get on to your local council or CAB, or even the property owener. Read up on your rights...
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-landlords-...
Electrical safety
Your landlord must make sure:
the electrical system is safe, for example sockets and light fittings
all appliances they supply are safe, for example cookers and kettles
Haven't been given a move in inspection report, think my gf was just given the keys and nothing else.Get on to your local council or CAB, or even the property owener. Read up on your rights...
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-landlords-...
Electrical safety
Your landlord must make sure:
the electrical system is safe, for example sockets and light fittings
all appliances they supply are safe, for example cookers and kettles
The estate agents contractors came today to look at the plumbing, took one look at it and said it was installed completely wrong so wouldn't drain, I don't know anything about plumbing but he said the T is in the wrong direction, wrong bend is being used so it won't drain properly.
He wouldn't touch it as he's contracted for remedial works so another plumber is coming in.
I had a look today in detail at the gas certificate I was emailed on the day of move in (was in pdf format along with a dozen other ones) and it show's that the gas applicance is unsafe to use!
|https://thumbsnap.com/LpmSlpTz[/url]The oven literally comes away from the wall when you try and open it as there's no fixings whatsoever.
[url]Edited by untakenname on Friday 24th August 15:02
Twiglets said:
I think i’d try and get out of there sooner rather than later, the lack of check in report leaves you wide open at the end of the tenancy. This lot sound like a bunch of cowboys who are out to make as much money as possible and nothing else.
Actually the lack of a check in report leaves the landlord, not the tenant, wide open at the end of the tenancy.Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff