Thetownend.com

Having a few problems with our estate agent...

We moved in nearly five weeks ago and on the day we got the keys, the flat had not been properly cleaned - the inventory states that a number of things are "dirty" or "filthy" - so we had to clean it ourselves before it was fit to live in. The contract indicates that it is the departing tenants responsibility to leave the property clean and that the landlord/agent is further responsible for having the property cleaned professionally before new tenants arrive. Upon delivering the inventory to the estate agent, they informed us that the company they used to clean the flat had "let them down" on more than one occassion recently, so they'd been sacked. They hadn't visited the property after it had been cleaned, only while the cleaning was in progress.

There were a number of issues not mentioned on the inventory so we compiled a list then attached it to the inventory when we handed it into the estate agents. They were unhappy that so much had been missed on the inventory. We also have photographic evidence of the condition of some parts of the flat from the day we moved in.

Basically, the main issue is that the indoors staircase leading into the main part of the flat is filthy. The carpet is dirty, stained, covered in dead leaves, walls are marked (not permanently, they just need washing) and overall, it doesn't approach anything near the word clean.

All we're asking is for the estate agents to get the carpet professionally cleaned, it's just one staircase and shouldn't cost them a great deal. They've so far consistently failed to return our calls or emails and when I've visited their offices, the appropriate people have either been out of the office or insisted they'd contact me later...which they inveitably didn't. We've also suggested that we'd appreciate some form of compensation for having to clean the property ourselves, although I'm fully aware that this would simply be a goodwill gesture and they're under no obligation to do so.

We've spoken to a few people but don't really know anyone in the same situation. I got chatting to someone who privately lets properties and he suggested withholding rent if they continue to ignore us... I'm reluctant to do that in case we end up having to sleep in the newsagents downstairs :) Any advice is appreciated, even bad advice

n.b. When we viewed the flat, it was like a bomb site. The previous tenants had been in the property six months and had never used a duster, the vacuum cleaner or anything similar. By comparison to that, the flat was considerably more clean when we moved in. Interestingly, they left in a big hurry.

p.s. the floors are laminate wood. Subsequent to cleaning them - i.e. using a mop - they looked a different colour and I didn't end up walking around with black feet.

Witholding rent would put you in a difficult place legally. I was in a similar sort of situation this time last year with an aweful estate agent and a very confusing and frustrating situation with the landlord. From what I remember, if there are repair works that need doing you can write to them three times to ask them to do it, then get it done yourself and send them an invoice. Speak to Citizens Advice or somebody as they gave us quite a lot of guidance. They might not necessarily tell you what you want to hear but you'll know where you stand.

The extractor fan in the bathroom has also stopped working, as it's the only source of ventilation in the bathroom it's quite important...

The estate agents haven't stuck to their side of the contract.

Also try consumer direct. They are very very helpful. http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

They listen to your needs. What you will probably need to do, is write the estate agent a letter stating what your unhappy about giving a date you want the work carried out by. ALWAYS send the letter by recorded delivery as it has proof of postage.

Give consumer direct a call.

go to the office and say you'll wait.also contact citizens advice

This works well.  If you can get your lady to look a bit teary as well, that can work wonders.

Speak to Bushey Boy, I'm sure he'll know a thing or two.

cheers all.

I went in today and explained the situation, saying that we'd not had any contact from them etc... The response was "What do you want me to do about it?".

I didn't answer.

i'd be inclined to stop paying them money,find somewhere else, then just leave in a few weeks time after rubbing shit all over the walls

Ring consumer direct and tell them that.

You should have said that you want, in writing, from them, that you're not responsible for cleaning the property upon vacating. That way you don't clean both ends of the tenancy.

It's like my old George Foreman Grill and my lazy cunt flatmate. I always cleaned it after I used it, but he never did. So I had to clean it both sides of my use. I got fucked off so I stopped cleaning after I used it, in the hope he'd clean it. The filthy fuck would sometimes use it without cleaning and in the end stopped using it unless I'd cleaned it.

So, as others have said, put down in writing what you want from them - number of each of the points of grievance. State at the end of the letter that you want a written answer within 7 calendar days (ie a working week) of date on top of letter, setting out
how they intend to address each of the points
a date by which they will address them
an explanation as to why that date is different from the one you've suggested for each one

Then go in and hand deliver the letter to the manager and tell him you want a written response within a week and the stuff about numbered points of grievance etc.

Then start looking for another flat - if they've started off this shit, they aren't going to get any better so work out what your minimum notice period is without losing deposit etc and move out. But at least get the lazy fucks to do their jobs while you're looking.

And try to do this when there are plenty of other clients/potential clients in the office.  You would be amazed how this improves the efficiency of the response you are likely to get.

Have you spoken to the manager at all or does the whole place feel unprofessional ?

You say it is above a newsagents, are the news agents the owners of the flat so you could speak to them direct and tell them how poor the agent is or do they know the landlord so you can contact him direct and deal with him instead of the agents, they may not be telling him the state of the place just looking after their interests to earn their commission.

Name and shame the agency here as well
 

we're really happy here, don't get me wrong - the location is perfect, the flat is really quite nice now. moving out would be a last resort.

The branch manager promised to call me back before the end of today after I went in at lunchtime. It's 5:15pm and no phone call yet.

I'll make a list of the issues and what we want done and deliver it by hand on Monday if I haven't heard anything back.

The landlord isn't the newsagent, all I have is a name and address for the landlord. As far as I can tell they run a joke shop in Coventry...


On an slightly related note, our recycling boxes went missing after they'd been delivered by the council. Someone had set fire to them right in front of our door. Hooray for mindless arson!

God do you live in Calne??

1) I don't think that god will answer you.

2) I doubt very much that god lives in Calne anyway

You couldn't pay me to live in Calne.

We do live near quite a few pubs though so it was probably just a fag end or something.

oh and the estate agents are http://www.heritageproperty.co.uk/

As others have said, put everything in writing and send it by recorded delivery - then you've got a paper trail if it hits the fan. When you give them a list of the issues and what you want done, include details of everything you've done so far to resolve things along with how they've failed to deal with it. Hand deliver it if you want but I'd still send a copy by recorded delivery.

Once you've given enough time to resolve the issues, if they haven't I'd withhold the rent. Provided you've been reasonable in your demands I'd say its an acceptable step to take, besides which it ain't easy to kick a tenant out of a property before the term is up.

cunts

Get an estimate for how much it would cost to clean it. Write a letter to the property manager pointing out that they are in breach if contract. Provide them with a figure that you think it would cost to clean. Quote the fact that they have failed to respond to other message and advise them that should they not rectify the situation by such and such date that you will arrange for the cleaning to take place and aubtract the estimated bill from the rent. Then clean it yourself and pocket the money - Or if you feel bad about that get someone to clean it professionally to the standard required in the contract and then subtract their cost (which should be the same as the estimate) from the following month's rent.

Good idea this. Can you get some friends to become potential customers and for them to over hear the conversation you have with the slimeball estate agent. Obviously dont let on that you are friends.

I usually find getting a solicitor to write to people like that gets results...

steal some headed paper and forge a signature

Put a petrol bomb through their door.

Legitimate arson then

Fucking hell! I don't know how your managing through this traumatic period!

Grow a pair, you soft cunt.

the TEF is slipping, two pages of serious responses before any sensible criticism

Sounds to me that they are in breach of a legally-binding contract so I'd either go down the solicitor route or at least threaten them with that through a letter delivered by recorded delivery.

I'm still waiting for someone to mention Watchdog.

Contact Watchdog.

contact the local MP!

Ring the Queen!

Give the prime minister a call ask him to arrange a cleaner

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!

Call 118 118. They won't be able to help you buy will enrage you so much you'll forget about the issues with the letting agency.

It depends what kind of nasty odours are being generated in there. A garlic-based curry the night before and it could get pretty ugly.

i was more concerned with the fact the ceiling already has damp and that was from when the extractor fan was working...

I hope you got this place for really cheap, it sounds like a shithole

i just have a way of making places sound horrible :)

but yes it is pretty cheap

Are you in Cov?  Whereabouts?

kenilworth

I dont like to think of Sonic anywhere but his bedroom listening to the Smiths playing World of Warcraft.In my mind  Sonic will always be that kid 8)

but i have grown, i'm like a whole new man

Was in Kenilworth two weeks ago at the castle.  I like it.

A whole new, grown man listening to the smiths and playing WoW?

they grow up so quickly :(

RIP Old Sonic.

it is indeed a good castle.

i was there two weeks ago as well

Willys! You and morrisey finally got a place then?

it lives!