Help - have we been had?

NJon

Guess this is a What Would You Do thread. We can't really think straight because kind of panicking - we need to find somewhere new to live in less than two weeks.

(Panic made worse as looks like we've been had by first place we found - agent keeps delaying giving us tenancy agreement despite us having paid fees and passed referencing).

We'd be so grateful for people's views on our situation.

Viewed a flat to rent 2 days ago. Liked it.

Agent told us he'd put our "offer" to the landlord (no fees due yet) and he'd let us know within 2 days if landlord accepted. If so, flat would be ours subject to passing references.

Yesterday just before close of business the agent called. Told us hadn't heard back from landlord. Suggested we increase the offer (above the advertised price). Apparently landlord has had several previous offers at this increased price. All these offers apparently fell through after the couples failed referencing.

Thing is the suggested increase is actually still within our budget but we've lost faith in the agent and landlord. Why didn't they just advertise at that price if that's what landlord wants? Why didn't agent tell us this at the viewing, or earlier yesterday (day after viewing)?

We feel mislead and I'm not sure if the agent or landlord are playing games.

We would still consider going along with increasing our offer but feel like something's not quite right. The flat has been advertised for nearly a month now. I find it strange so many people (not just one) would pay referencing fees knowing they'd fail.

I'd have thought after so long the landlord would drop the rent asking price not want it increased? Does it sound as if the landlord isn't really serious about renting and is just playing games?

marksoton

"Offer"?!

You're renting for christ's sake. He names his price and you either accept or reject it.

I'd walk well away from this shower of a situation.

Guest101

Have you actually paid anything?


And why will you be 'homeless' ?


There is much more advice to be given in your situation. Please provide clear and concise information

LEJC

IMO you rent at an advertised price .....if there looks like there is going to be a bidding war or open to the highest offer...walk away.

theartfullodger

NJon wrote: »

Guess this is a What Would You Do thread. We can't really think straight because kind of panicking - we need to find somewhere new to live in less than two weeks......

Two weeks?? Only if the bailiffs are coming mid-december, otherwise you almost certainly don't have to move. Has anyone given notice?? Any court cases??

Mr_Costcutter

I'm afraid the alarm bells are ringing.

Neither the Agent or Landlord have shown an ounce of integrity, and I most certainly would walk away.

NJon

Thanks for all the replies.

We really don't want to stay in our current place after the notice runs out. We know we don't have to go legally but don't want the stress of an eviction or the loss of a good landlord reference.

Yes, I'm not keen on putting in "offers" for rental properties but it seems to be the new thing in London. Unless we find a private landlord (we have tried but not many about) doesn't seem to be much choice.

We're not going to increase the offer. Especially as the flat has been on the market for over a month. Tempted to walk away because even if they say we can have it at the advertised price don't feel we can trust them now (can't face more viewings but probably for the best).

Still, this offer situation is better than last week's experience. We found somewhere (we thought). Agent told us it was ours subject to passing references, but we had to immediately transfer "reservation" fee, referencing fee, and admin fees.

We did all that, passed the references, but agent keeps changing move-out date for the current tenant, and won't give us a tenancy agreement. Keeps saying "no need to worry about that yet, we'll do it later". They also joked "if the old tenant isn't out by then, the landlady will go round and kick her out"......clearly we can't trust them, which is why we're starting again.

Regarding the above, I'm hoping we can get a refund? The Offer document stated no refund if we pull out but surely they have to give us a tenancy agreement within a reasonable time-frame?

Also they're still advertising the flat as available on their website (despite telling we passed referencing and that they will be emailing the tenancy agreement to us). Also advertising it as free from start December despite telling us it isn't free until "around 16 December".

marksoton

You haven't been properly had yet. But you will be if you move in. Don't walk away. Sprint.

Arklight

You have paid so ask for a signed tenancy agreement or a refund.

agrinnall

I think most people are failing to comprehend what seems to be the reality of the rental sector in London, which is that competition is so fierce that bidding wars are common for desirable (and perhaps even the non-so-desirable) properties. While we may all deplore the need to do this, failure to play the game may mean missing out altogether.

NJon

Arklight wrote: »

You have paid so ask for a signed tenancy agreement or a refund.

I think that's what we're going to do. Actually sort of hoping we get the refund because we don't trust them now.

It's a real pain having to scramble around to find somewhere else with such little time left, but better than finding out a week before Christmas that their current tenant hasn't moved out!

As for the other situation - the bidding war - we told them we weren't going to pay above the advertised price. Apparently other people have made higher "offers" but the landlord hasn't chosen who to go with yet.... The place has been on the market for nearly a month so the landlord clearly isn't in a hurry to let the place