Bad experience with letting agents

[TheFew]

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.

Go to citizens advice and ask for details of local solicitors that do free consultations (google may also help). Explain to them the situation and take your email proof that the agent had entered into an agreement with you re the reduced rent. The aim of discussing with the solicitor would be to get his view on your likely success in small claims court. If he gives good mumors then take the agent to the small claims court and ask for your deposit back. Small claims is fairly simple and the fee is small. It is also fun!

I had a similar situation years ago, where the agent ran off with the rent we had paid him. The landlord refused to pay our deposit back, but as our contract said we needed to pay the agent our rent, then the landlord had no where to go and had to pay back our money.

 

[Haggisman]

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:

 

[sadat]

Go to citizens advice and ask for details of local solicitors that do free consultations (google may also help). Explain to them the situation and take your email proof that the agent had entered into an agreement with you re the reduced rent. The aim of discussing with the solicitor would be to get his view on your likely success in small claims court. If he gives good mumors then take the agent to the small claims court and ask for your deposit back. Small claims is fairly simple and the fee is small. It is also fun!

I had a similar situation years ago, where the agent ran off with the rent we had paid him. The landlord refused to pay our deposit back, but as our contract said we needed to pay the agent our rent, then the landlord had no where to go and had to pay back our money.

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.

 

[sadat]

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:

so its either definitely or maybe then ... got it!!

 

[wesimmo]

I had all sorts off issues with my last agent.

He kept missing payments and telling me the tenants were late payers.

When I moved to another agent and he got the records, turns out the original agent must have been experiencing cash flow issues as the tenants had paid on time every time.

 

[sadat]

I had all sorts off issues with my last agent.

He kept missing payments and telling me the tenants were late payers.

When I moved to another agent and he got the records, turns out the original agent must have been experiencing cash flow issues as the tenants had paid on time every time.

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.