estate agents

[sonicyouth]

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.

[reeves4england]

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.

[sonicyouth]

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...

[Sippo]

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.

[Arriba]

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

[Doore]

go to the office and say you'll wait.

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

[Simon Pieman]

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

[sonicyouth]

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.

[Arriba]

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

[Sippo]

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.

Ring consumer direct and tell them that.

[Barry Scott]

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.

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.

[pauld]

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.

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.

[Ardiles]

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.

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.

[Power to people]

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
 

[sonicyouth]

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!