Letting Agents trying to charge me for something I haven’t done!

sarahconx

I have had ongoing issues with my letting agent for around 3 month, ever since reporting the fact that our double glazing windows let a strong wind through strong enough to knock things off the window ledge/blow the blind back and forth when the windows are locked. We had a lot of back and forth for 3 months with them refusing to send someone to even look at this issue. Eventually when they came out recently, they fixed 3 of the windows, but left the worst one still with a huge gap letting a wind through!

Well yesterday after reporting this, I recieved an email not responding, but letting us know that we had been seen on CCTV dumping “bulk waste” in the waste disposal area and that we would be billed for the cost of a removal company.

I got straight on the phone about this and asked exactly what waste I am supposed to have dumped and how they have identified that it is myself or my partner or anyone from our flat. They responded that they had traced it back on the CCTV cameras right back to our door. I asked again what rubbish we had dumped and also to see the CCTV to which they responded “we dont have the CCTV yet it was maintenance who saw it, and we haven’t been informed what you dumped yet”.

Now I know that we are innocent of this, we always take 1 bin bag at a time down whenever it is full and put it directly in the bin. We have been down to see what waste is there and somebody has left a 2 seat sofa and a chair in the area which categorically was not us. There is 1 CCTV camera on our floor right at the opposite end of a narrow corridor (we are the furthest away apartment from that camera) so it quite clearly is a perspective issue and it wasnt us at all!!!! Infact, my next door neighbour moved out a few days ago and I saw them removing a sofa from their flat so I assume it was most likely them.

Basically, the letting agent accused me of ‘denying my actions’ and said I will be charged still. I made it clear I absolutely will not be paying any money until they supply me with CCTV proof that it is myself or my partner dumping this rubbish, but they were very rude and basically mocked me saying i’ll have to pay regardless.

What are my rights here? I am at my wits end living here and my boyfriends anxiety is through the roof due to the ongoing issues we’ve had I just want it to stop!

G_M

1) stop ringing. Write.


2) Write to the landlord (both about the windows and the dumping) at the address provided for that purpose. Copy the agent.


3) Deny the dumping and ask to see the evidence.


4) Read this on repairs:


* Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new tenant protection (2015)

sarahconx

I’m still waiting for them to tell me who my Landlord is after putting a request in writing for the information a couple of weeks ago. I’ve read that legally they have to supply this within 21 days of the written request so they only have 5 days left but they just seem to be ignoring me! I wish I had those details as i’m fed up of dealing with the same people both on the phone and in writing/over email.

I’m not sure what I can do about that either! This is our first home away from our parents and its really ruined the experience!

eddddy

It sounds like you've had some heated arguments on the phone.

It's probably better to send a short, polite, businesslike email or letter, saying that they seem to have make a mistake as you haven't dumped bulk waste.


Try not to be aggressive. Often, the more aggressive you are, the less likely the other party is to back down and admit that they made a mistake.

parkrunner

sarahconx wrote: »

Basically, the letting agent accused me of ‘denying my actions’ and said I will be charged still. I made it clear I absolutely will not be paying any money until they supply me with CCTV proof that it is myself or my partner dumping this rubbish, but they were very rude and basically mocked me saying i’ll have to pay regardless.

Completely the wrong thing to say as this implies that you may have done it. Just simply say you haven't done it and ignore any bill they send you.

jay213

parkrunner wrote: »

Completely the wrong thing to say as this implies that you may have done it. Just simply say you haven't done it and ignore any bill they send you.

I would think it's better to get it sorted earlier than ignoring it and them possibly trying to take further action.

Housebuy12345

The letting agent has hundreds of tenants on their book. They don’t care about you, nor want your resistance.

I’m future don’t communicate via phone, write emails. If they don’t respond to your request for the landlords details call them, and/or go into the branch.

But remember estate agents are feeders for everyone. Just don’t loose your cool because they go home and don’t think twice about you.

parkrunner

jay213 wrote: »

I would think it's better to get it sorted earlier than ignoring it and them possibly trying to take further action.

Which would be one phone call backed up in writing stating "it wasn't us" or similar and then ignore anything else. At least that's how I deal with this type of thing. If I didn't do it then there can't be any CCTV so no point in asking for it, just a 100% denial is enough for me, bullies soon give up.