URGENT - Renting: Agent won't refund "Holding Fee"

angrypirate

Are the LA a member of ARLA? If so they should have a complaints procedure. Ask them for their complaints procedure. If they dont have one then contact ARLA.

donfanatico

I think The point 'repaint and by The shower' is very vague doesnt specify What.

That could be a sticking point. Is there any other correspondence in writing Saying what exactly they will paint?

Cool_Chick

Yes, as of today, these conditions have been broken. But if I leave it too long, then they will get the licence (even though I did all of the negotiating) and may repaint it to avoid losing me. But I'm really sick of the agent now so I do want to back out. I can't imagine living close to their office for the next two years and having to walk past them everyday. Or bumping into them in my building.

I will email their Head of Compliance and post a signed copy to her tomorrow.

Do you think I could back-out entirely and demand a refund? I still love the property but I don't trust the agent. Or would that look unreasonable?

Thank you so much, angrypirate.

Cool_Chick

Yes, "Repaint and by the shower" sounds ambiguous. I'm afraid the negotiator just doesn't have good grammar! But they still don't have the pet licence.

And the LA is a member of ARLA. But I have to wait for the internal investigation first. 15 days. But I can't afford to keep living in a hotel for that long. I need to secure another property asap.

I hate being homeless.

angrypirate

Cool_Chick wrote: »

Yes, as of today, these conditions have been broken. But if I leave it too long, then they will get the licence (even though I did all of the negotiating) and may repaint it to avoid losing me. But I'm really sick of the agent now so I do want to back out. I can't imagine living close to their office for the next two years and having to walk past them everyday. Or bumping into them in my building.

I will email their Head of Compliance and post a signed copy to her tomorrow.

Do you think I could back-out entirely and demand a refund? I still love the property but I don't trust the agent. Or would that look unreasonable?

Thank you so much, angrypirate.

I dont know. If you had moved in elsewhere due to them not being ready for you, you may have had more of an arguement. You may want to avoid this particular agent, but they are all the same. If you are happy with the property and there are no problems, then your contact with the agent should be fairly minimal - even walking past their office everyday.

Cool_Chick

Yes, I see your point. They are not being personal, they just rip everyone off equally, haha!

But I agreed to pay a good monthly rate, and to pay the first year upfront in cash. So that should've made me quite a desirable tenant (other agents have since offered me better rates if I pay in advance).

I did verbally tell them on Saturday that I was very concerned with the lack of progress so I had lined up another flat. This was just a ploy to make them move a bit faster. But the manager called me "aggressive" and he turned quite horrible on the phone. I told him to call me back in 10 mins as I needed to calm down. Then I apologised and said that I had never been called aggressive. Indeed, I am quite sensitive and hate to complain. But there comes a point when I have to put my hand up and say when I am not happy.

I'm willing to lose my money on the hotel. I just don't want to know that the agent is benefitting from my £20,000+ after treating me like this.

And it's funny how many times they have just called me in the last hour to get me to come in and sign the contract before they close. I'm ignoring their calls as I'm waiting for their Head of Compliance to respond to my email.

thelem

I wouldn't be worried about the painting - worst case scenario you can paint it yourself once you move in.

The cat could be a bigger issue. If you move in without it being allow in the contract the landlord could prevent you from living with it, but you'd be unable to move elsewhere while you have a two year contract.

Cool_Chick

You're right. I told the agent that I needed the licence, but he said I should move in anyway as the landlord says it's ok. And if I don't get the licence, then they would refund me the unspent days of my contract. But I don't trust them.

ValHaller

Crossposted https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4716889

thelem

Cool_Chick wrote: »

You're right. I told the agent that I needed the licence, but he said I should move in anyway as the landlord says it's ok. And if I don't get the licence, then they would refund me the unspent days of my contract. But I don't trust them.

Even if you got that in writing I doubt it would overrule the tenancy agreement.