Mislead by Letting Agent

Peter_87

We moved into our house back in July 2009 - when we were viewing the property we noticed a few maintenance issues with the property such as the windows, missing back fence, replastering of staircase, along with a a general clean. Before putting down the deposit we agreed with the letting agent that a new fence would be placed out the back, staircase replastered, new double glazing installed and house cleaned.

As we were due to move in we were advised that the all the work had been done bar the windows being replaced and that as a tempoary measure the windows has been sanded and painted. Upon moving in we found a workers still painting in the house and that the house was filthy from the replastering and mess left by workers - this was reported to letting agent but nothing done.

10 months on and serveral conversations and e-mails latter we are still waiting for them to be replaced. Today we recieved an e-mail from them advising that the Landlord does not have any plans to fit double glazing at this time.

Where do we stand as we were advised by the letting agent that the windows would be replaced as they were old and house would benifit from the additional insulation. This seems to be the lattest of issues we have had with the letting agent misleading us with things they are telling us.

Any advise would be appreciated

pinkshoes

Did you have the agreement in writing?

Did you sign an inventory when you moved in?

Personally I'd move out!

G_M

Did you report your concerns to the LL in writing when you moved in and found the problems? Did he/agent respond in writing? If so, how? If not, what did you do?

Peter_87

Have considered moving out cause of the issues with the letting agent - though the area we are located in is ideal for both me and my partner so we are reluctant to move.

We have signed a Inventory and did mention the issues on the inventory but sadly we have got nothing in writing from the letting agent regarding the windows or other work that needed doing since before we moved in.

All our communication has currently been with the letting agent and not the LL as its fully managed. Did initially start out with verbal communications with letting agent but was getting stressed trying to talk so ended up e-mailing so that we had a record of everything.

pyueck

To be honest if a key part of moving in was the windows I would have got that in writing and done before you paid any money. The landlord will only get windows done if they really need doing as they are VERY expensive to do. As a rule of thumb the landlord is not going to pay 10k on getting windows done if the tenant is still paying their rent. Do you have anything after you moved in from the agent acknowledging that they said before you moved in that the windows would be done? Say to the agent you will move out when your contract ends if they are not done. Pull the landlords bluff, nothing to get the landlord moving quicker than the threat of no rent coming in. To be honest though I doubt anything will happen.

adg1

Without written proof there is very little you can do. The agent will say one thing and you the opposite so neither party will get anywhere if you try to take this further.

I'd move out and find a new house.

Also, ensure any conditions to your offer (like the windows, fence etc) are noted on the application, included in the tenancy agreement, most importantly, done before you move in.

Although, if a LL can rent his house out without spending £x on new windows, I'm sure he will and save the money so be careful how much work you want done to a house.