We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Paid upfront - unsigned contract
Suzie_Jordan
Posts: 1 Newbie
We sold our house very quickly and were told that we would have to exchange contracts before we could be considered for a rental property. Our sale went extremely quickly we had to move extremely quickly.
My husband viewed a rental property while I was out of the country and noted things that needed to be completed such as:
Broken window handle, slanted radiator, floor tiles, broken cat flaps, house needed cleaning etc.
We exchanged and we paid all the fees up front £2800.00! We then received the contract which we said we would sign at the inventory check.
At the inventory check, the house was completely unclean inside and out, with the exception of the bathrooms and oven. It was covered in spiders webs and their inhabitants throughout.
The fridge was riddled with mould, cupboards broken, items at first viewing still not fixed and there was no key for the front door and we had to access through the rear of the property. The person who was doing the inventory did not work for the agency and was independent but said it was not appropriate.
We have 2 weeks to completion but I do not feel that this agency are going to do anything, so I have not collected the keys or signed the contract.
Can we back out as I have very little faith in the agency and it states in the contract all these things would be done, but havent been?
Can we request our money back?
I would love to hear from anyone that can help.
My husband viewed a rental property while I was out of the country and noted things that needed to be completed such as:
Broken window handle, slanted radiator, floor tiles, broken cat flaps, house needed cleaning etc.
We exchanged and we paid all the fees up front £2800.00! We then received the contract which we said we would sign at the inventory check.
At the inventory check, the house was completely unclean inside and out, with the exception of the bathrooms and oven. It was covered in spiders webs and their inhabitants throughout.
The fridge was riddled with mould, cupboards broken, items at first viewing still not fixed and there was no key for the front door and we had to access through the rear of the property. The person who was doing the inventory did not work for the agency and was independent but said it was not appropriate.
We have 2 weeks to completion but I do not feel that this agency are going to do anything, so I have not collected the keys or signed the contract.
Can we back out as I have very little faith in the agency and it states in the contract all these things would be done, but havent been?
Can we request our money back?
I would love to hear from anyone that can help.
0
Comments
-
What is the breakdown of the £2800? It cannot all be fees surely!
How were the acceptance conditions your Husband "noted" documented/ agreed with the agents? Writing or verbal?0 -
If you have written evidence that the landlord/agent agreed to remedy the issues listed, you should demand your money back in full, since you paid it on that understanding.
Without this, and if the LL/agent denies giving such an undertaking, then any claim for a refund will depend exactly what the £2,800 is for.
I suspect some of this is the 'security deposit' to cover damage/renat arrears during your tenancy - that should be returned in full if you do not take up the tenancy.
Some of it may be for credit vetting/references admin, and/or a 'holding deposit' to reserve the property. If you withdraw this is likely to be forfeit.0 -
I don't really understand why your husband paid £2,800 on such a delapidated house. Even desperate, if the LA/LL could let it get into such a condition, it wouldn't bode well for future dealings.
I know that's no help. But I just can't believe anyone would hand over such a large sum of money for a flea pit of a house.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.4K Spending & Discounts
- 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards