letting agent listing/rent advice

bhaisab

Some advice on behalf of my sister, who has been looking for accommodation after getting a job.

Basically letting agent not honouring offer.

We found an letting agent, who had 2 listings on their website; one for £425 p/m, with lots of description and pics of the flat.
There was also another listing for £395 p/m in same building but only one photo of the exterior of building and a briefer description.

She enquired about the flats and difference between the listings and was told over the phone that the rent would be £395 if apply and move in before end of November and £425 was usual price, after November. (this isn't mentioned on the £395 listing).

She went to have a look, they had multiple flats in building with same spec so chose which one she wanted, told at viewing rent would be £395, but the printed advert provided was £425.
She had paid application fee and deposit. Now due to collect keys at weekend and has been told over the phone that rent is £425 and £395 was for a different flat which has been taken.

Checked today and they have since removed the ad for £395 and only the listing for £425 remains. I have checked cached versions of 3rd party sites and both ads appear.

Told her to confront them with screenshots as evidence. She doesn't want to push too hard and end up losing the flat and the application fee but as a moneysaver I don't think it's fair.

Any advice from forum on how to deal with this?

Comms69

well she can get her application fee back if the property is no longer available or as described. But she is not entitled to a specific rent amount