Just wanted to know people's experiences with letting agents particularly in East London. I have some nightmare experiences with one in particular(not sure if you can name estate agents). Would highly advise people to stay away from these dodgy agents as reluctant to give back deposits are the least of the dodgy things these guys do.
For post #2 - such bs these retards can pull off, I mean they got it wrong and now want to keep your deposit- incredible. I mean technically I think your contract overrules this email agreement and if taken further you may actually have to pay but I'm no legal expert. You could argue if they charge for late payment.
Also does anyone know we are allowed to name agency's in this forum?
Also does anyone know we are allowed to name agency's in this forum?
Always seems to be the way
When I moved out of my flat in London they wanted to take over £100 to "professionally deep clean the bathroom" due to it showing "months of neglect" - they'd had someone in to rip out and replace the whole bathroom shortly before we moved out and it was absolutely spotless - I'd barely even used it as I'd made arrangements to be elsewhere while they did the work. When confronted over that they said there had been a "mix up" and came back with a load of other stuff all equally dubious. Got almost all of it back in the end but it was hassle.
EDIT: I gave them a bit of rope to hang themselves with so to speak over the bathroom so it definitely wasn't a mix up - blatantly trying to recoup some of the cost of redoing it IMO.
That sounds a lot like the agency I'm referring to.
We need more peoplefighting for deposit. The trouble is a lot of people give up and would accept the charge or don't bother about the deposit.
My experience has been with Sterling DeVere. They are pretty big in east London and they got prosecuted twice for bait and switch: https://www.mortgagesolutions.co.uk/news/2018/06/20/council-hits-letting-agents-fines-worth-150000/
Nope. Sterling DeVere - near Langdon Park station - East London
Well there is the redress scheme whereby you can complain about extra charges and things - they actually helped me out - my letting agents put TV license fees were covered in my contract and then refused to pay for it. I complained and sure enough they paid me cash for the bill equivalent - only it took so much hassle for like 50 quid but still
Yes but the trouble is they don't send the confirmation to DPS to return the deposit. I assume after a certain while the protection expires and then not sure who the money stays with - can't imagine DPS claiming the money themselves
There are some - i.e. lack of bad experiences. This in todays world would be "good experiences" My current agent isn't too bad and light years ahead of the previous one but then again the previous tenants who I met during moving in advised they charged a lot of deposit for repairs.I really, really look froward to the thread titled "Good experience with letting agents"
It was. But the issue was their time to respond to emails but then following a lot of hassle I got full deposit back. But my friend still hasn't gotten his back. The trouble his original contract finished and then was on a rolling basis and the agency did not renew the DPS scheme. DPS emailed my friend saying 31 Dec 2019 was the last date but the muppet (my mate) ignored it. He left the agency 10th Dec and they still haven't returned his deposit after many emails and he sort of gave up on it. After I helped him draft an email they came back saying they will charge £100+ for late key return and bills (some high level BS). But returning the deposit was the least of my problems with Sterling Devere and I was aware many people in London were having a bad time.
Also Channel 4 did a feature on spare rooms and guess what - they came across my letting agents! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ-bf4uPDmE
So the DPS duration covers the duration of the original contract (say 1 year). After 1 year, the contract just carries on a rolling basis (every three months) and the letting agents inform DPS who also extend cover for 3 months. But I believe they didn't and it expired while the contract carried on. I believe DPD emailed him but my friend either ignored or missed it. But you maybe right - it may still by with DPD and couldn't invoke their process but the response rate from the agency has been so slow so it is so annoying atm (understand COVID but still).
Thanks for the advice, i was thinking something similar. We just sent the email across to them a couple of days ago (me trying to help my friend here) and waiting for their response. See how it goes.
so its either definitely or maybe then ... got it!!There's a simple flowchart you can use to determine whether the letting agent you are dealing with is a lying, cheating scumbag who is out to rip you off:
Most letting agents have a rule of late fees nowadays (between tenants and agent) - so if I were the landlord I would try to implement the same (landlord - agent) in the contract if possible.