Landlord Reference - aka "Bribery"

daisygirlmac

If the rent was advertised at one price, you agreed to let the property based on that price and it's on your paperwork I don't really see they have a leg to stand on. Also, if you have been referenced against a lower price they will not have an acceptable reference at the increased rent. Tell them no thank you! Also, just so you know, Homelet request a very simple previous landlord reference - did you pay rent on time, did you conduct the tenancy in a satisfactory manner and would the current agent rent to you again. There is no reason your current agent would need to charge any money to fill this in - I would have thought they would just say to your current landlord (as someone else pointed out) that you have paid rent on time and they have dealt with you previously!

princeofpounds

Wow they really are trying it on. Wonder if the extra £75 will ever make it to the landlord's pocket?

Say no, unless it would cause massive damage to you if it fell through.

And again, if they cause problems, contact the potential LL who may have no idea what is going on.

DRP

1/565,004,126 wrote: »

Thanks all. Gave the 3rd party our the current landlord for reference and bypassed the fee.

Got a call saying it's all done, just gotta sign and pay.

Then later a different agent called saying he wrote down the rent wrong, it was supposed to be £75 more every month. Despite all paperwork and the price on their site says otherwise. Am I in my right's to more or less to tell him to **** himself?

As in ,this seems (is) like another last second swindle, is as far as the law is concerned, the rent stays to the paperwork (also the amount submitted to 3rd party reference)?

that's a shocker - what a bunch of cowboys. What does the LL say?

1565,004,126

DRP wrote: »

that's a shocker - what a bunch of cowboys. What does the LL say?

I do have his home number which I found out from a few weeks ago. Haven't contacted him yet, hadn't needed to.

But I think I might give him a call on his number, hopefully it isn't rude to do so.

1565,004,126

Called him up, nice guy. Turns out the house was previously rented at this higher amount, but the agent reduced without his knowing/permission when the last tenants left so that kinda leaves us both out to dry.

Reckon I can get a full refund on the application fee since the agent has messed this up beyond all belief?

Guest101

Ye refund is all yours they cant even argue the toss (but they will! they always do.)

Phone the new LL, say we do want to rent it, but the higher price is too much. Would he really rather have it empty and get nothing?

1565,004,126

EDIT- "SNIP"!

Just want to ask 2 questions.

1) Am I protected by "Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008"?

2) Is the landlord protected? Was a nice guy and none of this is his fault.

princeofpounds

1) Yes and maybe. It can apply, but it depends specifically what you are talking about.

2) He has his own contractual relations with the agent. He does have some consumer protections but less than you.

It's his problem. Fight your own battle, specifically as you many need to recover money from him as well as the LA.

1565,004,126

princeofpounds wrote: »

1) Yes and maybe. It can apply, but it depends specifically what you are talking about.

The price switch. That I was being mislead into a decision that I wouldn't of otherwise made.

There was also some pressure tactics made, but I think the price switch 3 days before the signing and key collection is the huge one.

Guest101

1/565,004,126 wrote: »

The price switch. That I was being mislead into a decision that I wouldn't of otherwise made.

There was also some pressure tactics made, but I think the price switch 3 days before the signing and key collection is the huge one.

To get the original price, probably not. Until you sign the tenancy, you have no contract.

To get your money back, of course you do, you paid in good faith a sum of money based on the information provided. Now that the information is proved to be incorrect, you are entitled to a full refund.

It could in the extreme be classed as fraud, and if they do fail to return the money, you should contact the police. Even if its to get a crime reference number and a written statement.

The police may try fob you off, saying its a civil matter. but fraud is most defeintely a criminal matter.