Country Wide lettings - beware!

turnbull

We're looking to rent a flat through Countrywide Residential Lettings. They want over £400 and we're the tennants! I know they charge the landlord approx a months rent for finding us, but we certainly weren't expecting so many charges ourselves. We have to pay references of £30 plus VAT each lots of admin types fees that crop up and even the inventory of £130 which for an unfurnished flat that only contains a washing machine is a complete rip off.

Basically we want the flat, they refuse to budge on their fees and we pretty much have to pay whatever they dictate.

WHat do I think of COuntrywide Residential Lettings? Well, next time we're looking, I would not for a moment consider any property that they are dealing with, that's for sure. We weren't even told about these fees until we made an offer and then asked if there were any.

Does anyone have any advice or experience they can pass on please?

franklee

Of course it's a rip off and that's just the initial charges. Don't forget renewal charges, checkout charges and that you will be relying on them to be fair with your deposit and doing repairs! Have you read their AST contract? Is it stuffed full of unfair terms? Do they respect your privacy or just let themselves in with their keys for repairs and viewings?

I've read quite a bit about this shower - none of it good.

Find another flat. Renting can be a nightmare with a bad agent. I know it's hard to do but you really should forget these people.

Doozergirl

I agree that renting is a nightmare with bad agents. No doubt your landlord is not financially savvy, is getting ripped off by them too and will be looking to claw back half your deposit as recompense when you move out. :rolleyes:

Cynical, moi?

olly300

Doozergirl wrote: »

I agree that renting is a nightmare with bad agents. No doubt your landlord is not financially savvy, is getting ripped off by them too and will be looking to claw back half your deposit as recompense when you move out. :rolleyes:

Cynical, moi?

Unfortunately in a lot of cases it is the letting agent who decides to try and keep the deposit. It's only when you threaten the LL with court action the deposit is suddenly sent to you. The cheque is strangely from the letting agents company.

irnbru_2

turnbull wrote:

Does anyone have any advice or experience they can pass on please?

Chap the neighbours doors and see if they have contact details for the LL. Phone them up and make an offer.

OR

Find another flat.

olly300

irnbru wrote: »

Find another flat.

If you do use an agency to find a flat make sure you get a list of their fees before hand. If they refuse to give you the fees don't use them.

lynzpower

Are countrywide part of bairstow thieveS?

bad reputation throughout the industry.

kissingthepink

lynzpower wrote: »

Are countrywide part of bairstow thieveS?

bad reputation throughout the industry.

They are part of the MANN Countrywide group. As far as I know so too are Bairstow Eaves.

turnbull

I have an addition to the original message - they also want £10 for each reference when we leave PLUS all prices are "subject to VAT". I need a career change to get into residential lettings!

Alfie1999

Mann Countrywide are pretty awful, steer clear whether you're buying, selling or renting.

david29dpo

i will NEVER have anything to do with countrywide again after buying a house through them.