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Issue with Contractor Work arranged by Letting Agency
mrblast
Posts: 2 Newbie
Hello All,
Long time lurker but thought I would finally post seeing as I have a bit of a problem some of the board's more in-the-know posters might be able to help out with.
I currently let a house through Countrywide and have done so for the past four years. Recently Countrywide contacted me to inform me that there was a problem with the roof and they had received some quotes on the cost of repairing it. The quotes were very high so I informed them I would look into sourcing someone myself. I didn't get very far with this (I live and work abroad) but anyway, Countrywide then came back with a more reasonable quote from another company. I said it was ok to proceed and I transferred half the total cost to Countrywide (GBP 1400) - normally Countrywide would just deduct the costs from future rent but because it was almost GBP 3000, they asked if I would pay half upfront. I have just been informed by Countrywide today that the contractor they made the agreement with has been incredibly unreliable and performed a very poor job. He is also not answering their calls.
Countrywide have now come back to me with another quote (GBP 3500) to finish the work from another contractor and have asked me to pay this!
What are my rights here? Surely Countrywide should only be using pre-approved contractors? If so, surely they can reclaim the GBP 1400? If not, is there any way I can claim this back from Countrywide? I personally had no contract with the contractor yet I am being penalised for the appalling work by a contractor they proposed.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance!
B
Long time lurker but thought I would finally post seeing as I have a bit of a problem some of the board's more in-the-know posters might be able to help out with.
I currently let a house through Countrywide and have done so for the past four years. Recently Countrywide contacted me to inform me that there was a problem with the roof and they had received some quotes on the cost of repairing it. The quotes were very high so I informed them I would look into sourcing someone myself. I didn't get very far with this (I live and work abroad) but anyway, Countrywide then came back with a more reasonable quote from another company. I said it was ok to proceed and I transferred half the total cost to Countrywide (GBP 1400) - normally Countrywide would just deduct the costs from future rent but because it was almost GBP 3000, they asked if I would pay half upfront. I have just been informed by Countrywide today that the contractor they made the agreement with has been incredibly unreliable and performed a very poor job. He is also not answering their calls.
Countrywide have now come back to me with another quote (GBP 3500) to finish the work from another contractor and have asked me to pay this!
What are my rights here? Surely Countrywide should only be using pre-approved contractors? If so, surely they can reclaim the GBP 1400? If not, is there any way I can claim this back from Countrywide? I personally had no contract with the contractor yet I am being penalised for the appalling work by a contractor they proposed.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance!
B
0
Comments
-
Pity bump :-(
Any help much appreciated!0 -
Hi
Oh dear, what a mess!
All letting agents should first of all carry out checks on contractors they are recommending and I know that the larger agencies insist on the contrator having liability insurances in place so that if anything does go wrong, they are not out of pocket! I would have thought with a co as large as Countrywide these policies would be in place???? It would be worth finding out who the head of their company is.....I think they are franchised but not sure.....even so with such a large organisation there must be someone you can complain to. Start by asking the branch you deal with to show you a copy of the contractors insurance and if/when they can't provide it, tell them you will be taking the matter further.
Hope you get it sorted!0
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