Letting agency problems...

RainMaker_2

I'd be steaming if I were in your shoes babbler, though I do get the impression you already are ! At the very least, insist on a one day rent reduction.

Babbler wrote: »

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...

I've also been on the other side of the Letting agency fence as a LL, but not any more. I call them the barge pole brigade !

As an aside, I would urge you not to judge the LL by these bunch of incompetents. She just might be a good egg.

Babbler

I hope you are right.She sounded like a good landlady but then all we have is the agency's word for that...


I also think now that they didnt do any checks on us whatsoever... will ask them for copies of the documentation of the "credit reference" we paid £200 for...

Gingernutmeg

We had a similar problem with an agency we rented from - turned up with a van full of stuff on a Friday morning to move in, only to be told that the person handling the keys had 'gone away' and 'could we come back on Monday morning?'. Needless to say OH and I sat there till they sorted it out

Anyway ... not to be pessimistic or anything but it turned out to be the start of a catalogue of problems with the agency and we ended up getting in touch with the Ombudsman. One of the points that came up from that is, should you wish to complain about the agency, you need to keep VERY detailed records of any dealings with them. So, I would suggest that you start keeping a note of dates, times etc of letters sent and especially phone calls, even times you call and they don't call you back. Hopefully you won't need it but it's best to protect yourself from the start.

socrates

sooz wrote: »

next time ask your council for a list of their accredited landlords.

No disrespect - almost anyone can get on their lists.

Word of mouth is a better way forward

Babbler

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

We had a similar problem with an agency we rented from - turned up with a van full of stuff on a Friday morning to move in, only to be told that the person handling the keys had 'gone away' and 'could we come back on Monday morning?'. Needless to say OH and I sat there till they sorted it out

Anyway ... not to be pessimistic or anything but it turned out to be the start of a catalogue of problems with the agency and we ended up getting in touch with the Ombudsman. One of the points that came up from that is, should you wish to complain about the agency, you need to keep VERY detailed records of any dealings with them. So, I would suggest that you start keeping a note of dates, times etc of letters sent and especially phone calls, even times you call and they don't call you back. Hopefully you won't need it but it's best to protect yourself from the start.

Thanks - today is going to be a long day. We need to be in the house by 10:30 - no excuses. So time will tell. Will let you know hoe it goes when I get a chance. Thanks for all the kind words/stories/advice.

I think if an estate agent opened that dealt with tennants better - apart from pigs flying - they would be so much more better off...

Babbler

Update:

Called this morning at 08:15 as they said they would work on it at 8am. No answer. Called at 08:30 and were told they dont open til 8am and thats why... hmmm...

Anyway - they still hadnt heard from landlady but left a message with the builder who had a key and is working next door to get in touch, then said we had an attitude problem as we were getting annoyed with him. When we pointed out he hadnt even apologies yet he didnt say anything . Asked him what he would do if it was him to which he replied "well I wouldnt shout!". We were only shouting as talking nicely got us nowhere...

Called us back ten min later to day that WE could meet the builder (whom we didnt know) there at 09:15 and the builder would try the builders key. We asked why they wouldnt be there to which they replied "We have appointements this morning". So we had to go meet a builder we had never met and get him to help.

The builders key worked with no effort. He tried our keys and couldnt get them to work...

we informed the agent who then told us "Well now that you are in - I have managed to speak to the landlady and told her you have an attitude problem and we are not willing to manage you..." . So now the landlady probably thinks we are a nightmare tennancy. Probably also told her we want rent back and we are being funny about that too...

I wish I had lawyer friends at times like this...

sooz

write to the LL, & put everything you've written here. She should be just as horrified aobut what a bunch of incompetant muppets her agents are. The good news it that they aren't managing your property

tbs624

Hope your moving day goes okay after the shaky start. Don't let them fob you off - you are entitled to access from the day that your tenancy begins. If that date was yesterday & they couldn't provide that then should reimburse you for one day of the tenancy - help them to work this out by telling them monthly rent x 12 divided by 365 = what they owe you , because they sound like they struggle with basics. They can argue between themselves and the LL over who foots the bill but persist with it - they have breached the contract if the tenancy began yesterday.Tell them you could also add an amount for wasted travel, if they get stroppy.;) Do it all in writing and keep copies.

Check whether they are members of ARLA , NALs or OEA schemes and if they are send copies of your letters there too. If the LAs can't cope with people who are stressed about moving house then they are in the wrong business, particularly when the stress seems to have been added to by their own incompetence.

Babbler

Thanks. Been a long weekend but moved most our stuff in ok. Havent heard from the agency since but the landlady & landlord came by last night to say hello. Dropped off a bottle of wine and a card and were very friendly/apologetic for the problem we had getting in. Didnt mention the agent but gave us her number for problems so guessing that she is taking control - would have asked but they were in a hurry. Think/hope we managed to show them we werent troublemakers! Reported a couple of problems with the house to them (boiler pressure too high and power shower not working) and they said they would get it looked at a.s.a.p.

Will still write a letter to the agenct and CC the landlady I think. Our rent is still set to go to the agent as we havent been told otherwise and we need to get the deposit bond certificate...

Glad the weekend is over (never thought Id say that). Just lots of unpacking and furniture building left!

Had to laugh - the agency motto is: " making your next move a positive one"

RainMaker_2

Babbler wrote: »

Thanks. Been a long weekend but moved most our stuff in ok. Havent heard from the agency since but the landlady & landlord came by last night to say hello. Dropped off a bottle of wine and a card and were very friendly/apologetic for the problem we had getting in.

Pleased it all came together in the end. Never judge a LL by the agent. And vice versa of course !

Think I'd still insist on the day lost being refunded though.