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Letting agency problems...
Babbler
Posts: 3,084 Forumite
Hello all,
Mostly getting stuff off my chest but opinions also appreciated.
Today we went to our letting agent to sign the contract and get the keys to our new (rented) accomadation.
Started badly when they told us it was managed by them. When we said we were told it was landlord managed (which we were - and is one reason why we took it) we were told the landlady changed her mind as she hasnt got time to manage it... :mad:
Then we got the keys - asked about the back door key. "Its that one there ..."(a small window key). We questioned it as the inventory said "no backdoor key" to which they replied "Oh yeah - the landlady has left one in one of the drawers... or the builder has it"... we werent happy but again just wanted to get on with moving...
The final straw... we got to the house tonight and the keys did not work! Tried for 20 mins (2 sets given) neither worked. So we called the 24 hour "diverted" helpline for managed properties which went to answerphone in the office... hmmm. Luckily I had got a number off their door over christmas which was the managers number so called that.
He said he would get hold of landlady... then got back to us and said he couldnt get hold of her so nothing he could do other than leave messages. Couldnt get a locksmith without her permission. Wouldnt even offer to come out and try thier other key (wasnt happy they had one anyway). Just said "no point as it probably wont work either... besides you arent moving in til tommorrow anyway are you?". I replied with "Our contract is from today and we told you we would be moving things in tonight... besides thats not the point the keys should have been checked and the property checked for access..."
He also shrugged off the fact that we werent moving in tonight so why is it such a problem. Its a problem because we have people coming first thing tomorrow to help us move and we cant get into the property.
I mentioned this will incur us costs and therefore the agency - he replied with "Well it wont cost us - it will cost the landlady!"
Im just annoyed that:
1) We werent told it was changing to managed
2) The access wasnt checked
3) He never offered us a return of rent for today + costs - I had to mention it
4) They didnt come out to at least try and help (they are local and have an on call person).
5) He infferred that we changed the move date from tomorrow to today - I have recorded message from 3 weeks ago stating otherwise...
We payed £400 fees as well which is more than most agencies quoted us. Oh - and our salaries were supposed to be checked within that cost - none of our employers were asked and there is nothing on my experian report. We paid £200 for that and think nothing was done.
This is a reletively new agency and I am extremely miffed with them.
Surely they are now in breach of contract? Where do we stand? We now have to wait until morning as Im betting they dont lose sleep over it. :mad:
Sorry for the rant am just really annoyed and stressed and upset...
The quotes arent exact but damn close to what was said! :cool:
Mostly getting stuff off my chest but opinions also appreciated.
Today we went to our letting agent to sign the contract and get the keys to our new (rented) accomadation.
Started badly when they told us it was managed by them. When we said we were told it was landlord managed (which we were - and is one reason why we took it) we were told the landlady changed her mind as she hasnt got time to manage it... :mad:
Then we got the keys - asked about the back door key. "Its that one there ..."(a small window key). We questioned it as the inventory said "no backdoor key" to which they replied "Oh yeah - the landlady has left one in one of the drawers... or the builder has it"... we werent happy but again just wanted to get on with moving...
The final straw... we got to the house tonight and the keys did not work! Tried for 20 mins (2 sets given) neither worked. So we called the 24 hour "diverted" helpline for managed properties which went to answerphone in the office... hmmm. Luckily I had got a number off their door over christmas which was the managers number so called that.
He said he would get hold of landlady... then got back to us and said he couldnt get hold of her so nothing he could do other than leave messages. Couldnt get a locksmith without her permission. Wouldnt even offer to come out and try thier other key (wasnt happy they had one anyway). Just said "no point as it probably wont work either... besides you arent moving in til tommorrow anyway are you?". I replied with "Our contract is from today and we told you we would be moving things in tonight... besides thats not the point the keys should have been checked and the property checked for access..."
He also shrugged off the fact that we werent moving in tonight so why is it such a problem. Its a problem because we have people coming first thing tomorrow to help us move and we cant get into the property.
I mentioned this will incur us costs and therefore the agency - he replied with "Well it wont cost us - it will cost the landlady!"
Im just annoyed that:
1) We werent told it was changing to managed
2) The access wasnt checked
3) He never offered us a return of rent for today + costs - I had to mention it
4) They didnt come out to at least try and help (they are local and have an on call person).
5) He infferred that we changed the move date from tomorrow to today - I have recorded message from 3 weeks ago stating otherwise...
We payed £400 fees as well which is more than most agencies quoted us. Oh - and our salaries were supposed to be checked within that cost - none of our employers were asked and there is nothing on my experian report. We paid £200 for that and think nothing was done.
This is a reletively new agency and I am extremely miffed with them.
Surely they are now in breach of contract? Where do we stand? We now have to wait until morning as Im betting they dont lose sleep over it. :mad:
Sorry for the rant am just really annoyed and stressed and upset...
The quotes arent exact but damn close to what was said! :cool:
Being bored is so boring Im bored of it... :rotfl:
0
Comments
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Surely they are now in breach of contract? Where do we stand? We now have to wait until morning as Im betting they dont lose sleep over it. :mad:
The LA's contract is with the LL, not with you. They are the LL's agent.
They sound awful, but I've come to expect that from most agents, even the big, well established ones.
Put your complaint to them in writing, & cc the LL so she knows just how sh*t her agency is. It might change her mind about managing it herself.0 -
You have good reasons for having a rant. :T :T :T :T :T...............................I have put my clock back....... Kcolc ym0
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The LA's contract is with the LL, not with you. They are the LL's agent.
They sound awful, but I've come to expect that from most agents, even the big, well established ones.
Put your complaint to them in writing, & cc the LL so she knows just how sh*t her agency is. It might change her mind about managing it herself.
I still have a cotract that states I will have access to the property from today which I dont have. What IF I didnt have anywhere to go or I had a moving agency with me? With a van full of my stuff? I know its a "what if" but it is just worrying!
Also - I should have noticed and queried this earlier but no certificate of proof our deposit is in a deposit scheme (just states it in the contract).Being bored is so boring Im bored of it... :rotfl:0 -
I meant that the as the LA is the LL's agent, that your problem rests with the LL.
If you had a van full of stuff, & were waiting at the door, & the LA told you to wait til tomorrow, I'd personally tell them to get their to the property asap with a correct key, or you'd call a locksmith & bill them.0 -
I let. We just had an apartment come up in a block, there is 3 others with agents, and have been for weeks. Guess what we put sign in front and back window 7 days ago. Lovely young girl moved in today. So wanted to deal with "a nice couple" rather than "a faceless agent". If you wernt so far down the rd i would of told them where to shove it.Div 1 Play Off Winners 2007
CCC Play Off Winners 20100 -
Also - I should have noticed and queried this earlier but no certificate of proof our deposit is in a deposit scheme (just states it in the contract).
When did you pay the deposit? You don't get a certificate as such, but get certain 'prescribed information' within 14 days of paying.
It should look something like this, depending on which scheme they use0 -
No perscribed information and they didnt tell us we would get any. Paid it today... so that will be the next thing... not that Im pessimistic about it or anything!Being bored is so boring Im bored of it... :rotfl:0
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bordercars wrote: »I let. We just had an apartment come up in a block, there is 3 others with agents, and have been for weeks. Guess what we put sign in front and back window 7 days ago. Lovely young girl moved in today. So wanted to deal with "a nice couple" rather than "a faceless agent". If you wernt so far down the rd i would of told them where to shove it.
We would have done but its quite hard to find property that is let by landlords direct. Also - our decision was originally based on it being landlady managed not letting agency managed. Probably wouldnt have taken it otherwise. Nice place but hear such horror stories. Now I know why...Being bored is so boring Im bored of it... :rotfl:0 -
next time ask your council for a list of their accredited landlords.0
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Sounds like a nightmare. And people wonder why people are so desperate to buy rather than rent...
Good luck with it all.0
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