£210 to replace a second hand table with a shattered top...... yes extremely excessive
Problem with letting agent
- Thread starter ScarySquirrel
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£210 to replace a second hand table with a shattered top...... yes extremely excessive
Sorry but i gather that you have not signed the inventory yet? in which case you can just turn round and say "what table" anyway.
These letting agents are scum and should be treated as such. If the table was being thown anyway why is it now suddenly worth nearly £300? ill tell you why. Its so the scheming bitch can pocket the cash herself!
Ill bet you a pound to a penny the landlady doesnt even know about this.
Years ago when i shared a house with 3 other lads we were asked to replace an old hoover which one of the lads dropped down the stairs, fair enough. The hoover was ancient and would prob be worth about a tenner in a pawn shop, the letting agent actually wanted us to pay £150 for a dyson! i kid you not. In the end we just bought an asda hoover and left it there with photo evidence and told the agent to shove his bill up his rear end. The landlord was told about the situation by us and was fine about us just getting a cheap adsa one.
These letting agents are scum and should be treated as such. If the table was being thown anyway why is it now suddenly worth nearly £300? ill tell you why. Its so the scheming bitch can pocket the cash herself!
Ill bet you a pound to a penny the landlady doesnt even know about this.
Years ago when i shared a house with 3 other lads we were asked to replace an old hoover which one of the lads dropped down the stairs, fair enough. The hoover was ancient and would prob be worth about a tenner in a pawn shop, the letting agent actually wanted us to pay £150 for a dyson! i kid you not. In the end we just bought an asda hoover and left it there with photo evidence and told the agent to shove his bill up his rear end. The landlord was told about the situation by us and was fine about us just getting a cheap adsa one.
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Soldato
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If the table was £285 to buy then they cannot use that as a base for the replacement cost unless it had just been purchased prior to being broken. Replacement has to be like for like. Replacement of old with new improves the landlord's position and is betterment, for which the tennant cannot be charged.
It doesn't sound like it's a quote for repair either, she's just subtracted the cost of the other repair from the original purchase price. Ask her to get quotes & you do the same, then pay a fair compromise cost to settle the matter.
It doesn't sound like it's a quote for repair either, she's just subtracted the cost of the other repair from the original purchase price. Ask her to get quotes & you do the same, then pay a fair compromise cost to settle the matter.
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I called Citizens Advice, they said take it up with the letting agent.
I just had a heated conversation with the letting agent about it all. They said that there is no requirement to sign the inventory so this doesn't mean anything, is this true?
They also said that the table leg is beyond repair. I have since emailed her asking for the original receipt for the table, as well as confirmation from a professional that the table leg is beyond repair (good move by me I think
) and also confirmation of the quote of £75 to fix the damage the eleccy did (just for the hell of it)
She told me I need to raise a dispute with The Deposit people, so I called them, and guess what, the letting agent haven't even sent them the deposit yet, 6 WEEKS ON!!
They said I cannot raise a dispute until I move out.
So in the mean time I sent this:
I just had a heated conversation with the letting agent about it all. They said that there is no requirement to sign the inventory so this doesn't mean anything, is this true?
They also said that the table leg is beyond repair. I have since emailed her asking for the original receipt for the table, as well as confirmation from a professional that the table leg is beyond repair (good move by me I think
) and also confirmation of the quote of £75 to fix the damage the eleccy did (just for the hell of it)She told me I need to raise a dispute with The Deposit people, so I called them, and guess what, the letting agent haven't even sent them the deposit yet, 6 WEEKS ON!!
They said I cannot raise a dispute until I move out.
So in the mean time I sent this:
Just remember to keep a record of your communication. Written communication obviously the preferred option if you need to dispute things at a later date.
Check out this thread for information regarding deposit schemes.
Check out this thread for information regarding deposit schemes.
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Response:
I then sent:
Then I got this:
I called the shop, and asked about the table, they said it had been reduced to £70!?!?!?!
I haven't seen it so it could be a different table (although I described it pretty detailed and she seemed to know exactly what one I was talking about), but if it is the same one I will be asking them WTF they are trying on. I will also call the electrician as I have his number and tell him that they ripped him off as well, as he has paid £75 to fix the top of it.
I am going to drive by later and look in the window to see if it is the same table. I REALLY REALLY hope it is.
I then sent:
Then I got this:
I called the shop, and asked about the table, they said it had been reduced to £70!?!?!?!
I haven't seen it so it could be a different table (although I described it pretty detailed and she seemed to know exactly what one I was talking about), but if it is the same one I will be asking them WTF they are trying on. I will also call the electrician as I have his number and tell him that they ripped him off as well, as he has paid £75 to fix the top of it.
I am going to drive by later and look in the window to see if it is the same table. I REALLY REALLY hope it is.
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Was the table mentioned in the inventory? if not then they have no recourse what-so-ever over it.
If it is on the iventory, then they have to prove the items intial cost, and then deduct x years wear and tear from it, (they cant charge the cost for a new item) which will reduce its value to nothing in light of the fact its already damaged.
Dont back down, your deposit should legally be placed in a DPS, so you can raise a dispute with the DPS.
If your deposit is not held in a DPS then you can legaly demand 4x your bond back for breach of regulations.
If it is on the iventory, then they have to prove the items intial cost, and then deduct x years wear and tear from it, (they cant charge the cost for a new item) which will reduce its value to nothing in light of the fact its already damaged.
Dont back down, your deposit should legally be placed in a DPS, so you can raise a dispute with the DPS.
If your deposit is not held in a DPS then you can legaly demand 4x your bond back for breach of regulations.
I had a simmilar issue, with agents trying it on with me, and although my case is slightly different ive posted up some edited letters I sent them, I didnt hear back from them after that....
In response to your recent letter (19/07/07),
I would like to state a few points:
I assert that the property was left by me in the state in which it was found, and I ask that you provide me with strict proof to the contrary.
I must advise you at this point that the use of my bond for betterment of the property in question is unlawful.
I also point out that you have failed to return my bond within a reasonable time (stated by ARLA to be one month) with no good explanation.
The amount of time it has taken you to complete the alleged "vacation" is also unreasonable; again you have provided no explanation.
I remind you that the bond is my money, and deductions cannot be made without proper reason. You cannot prove alleged dilapidations to items without a full and signed inventory at the commencement of the tenancy. The condition at present is immaterial - what is relevant is the difference in condition between the start and end of said tenancy.
However, on this occasion I am prepared to allow you to release the entire bond to the landlord, as payment for the final month’s rent.
This is a goodwill gesture and under the strict condition that this is in full and final settlement of the tenancy contract in question.
Yours sincerely,
*****************************************************************
In response to your recent letter (19/07/07),
I would like to state a few points:
I assert that the property was left by me in the state in which it was found, and I ask that you provide me with strict proof to the contrary.
I must advise you at this point that the use of my bond for betterment of the property in question is unlawful.
I also point out that you have failed to return my bond within a reasonable time (stated by ARLA to be one month) with no good explanation.
The amount of time it has taken you to complete the alleged "vacation" is also unreasonable; again you have provided no explanation.
I remind you that the bond is my money, and deductions cannot be made without proper reason. You cannot prove alleged dilapidations to items without a full and signed inventory at the commencement of the tenancy. The condition at present is immaterial - what is relevant is the difference in condition between the start and end of said tenancy.
However, on this occasion I am prepared to allow you to release the entire bond to the landlord, as payment for the final month’s rent.
This is a goodwill gesture and under the strict condition that this is in full and final settlement of the tenancy contract in question.
Yours sincerely,
*****************************************************************
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Thanks guys.
Turns out it is a smaller version of the table
I will go in the shop tomorrow and have a look to see if they do have the same one and to see how much it is.
I'll come back when I have more info on the purchase date etc.
I'll be back
Turns out it is a smaller version of the table
I will go in the shop tomorrow and have a look to see if they do have the same one and to see how much it is.
I'll come back when I have more info on the purchase date etc.
I'll be back
Letting agents are scum. Every last one of them. Disgusting ****s. 
The only reason people trust them is because they wear suits, when in reality they are nothing more but money grabbing vultures, always looking for an opportunity to make an easy buck at your expense.
I love how they always give proposterous "quotes" for things and assume you're too stupid to doubt it. Judging from her replies she clearly hasnt a clue how much the table is really worth and is just trying to rip you off, just like all the other ****s out there.
This reminds me of the issues I had with the letting agents organising our moveout, grr it makes my blood boil
Word of advice mate: assume EVERYTHING she does is a big fat scam. Do not give her the benefit of the doubt for ANYTHING. Assume everything she says is a lie, because it most likely will be. Question everything, use the law to the fullest degree to make it as hard as possible for her to squeeze a penny from you, then you should be alright.
/rant
The only reason people trust them is because they wear suits, when in reality they are nothing more but money grabbing vultures, always looking for an opportunity to make an easy buck at your expense.I love how they always give proposterous "quotes" for things and assume you're too stupid to doubt it. Judging from her replies she clearly hasnt a clue how much the table is really worth and is just trying to rip you off, just like all the other ****s out there.
This reminds me of the issues I had with the letting agents organising our moveout, grr it makes my blood boil
Word of advice mate: assume EVERYTHING she does is a big fat scam. Do not give her the benefit of the doubt for ANYTHING. Assume everything she says is a lie, because it most likely will be. Question everything, use the law to the fullest degree to make it as hard as possible for her to squeeze a penny from you, then you should be alright.
/rant
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Next time quickly repair it yourself - glue, a nail, whatever is at hand. And don't mention anything.
It's great to be honest, but letting agents goal is to extract as much money out of you as they can. They are not interested in sorting things out fairly.
It's great to be honest, but letting agents goal is to extract as much money out of you as they can. They are not interested in sorting things out fairly.
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Unfortunately the table that I saw for £70 is the same style, but much smaller. Although as it was reduced it does lead me to think that the right table WON'T be £285. I am going to look in the shop at lunch today to check it out.
I know, it's crazy isn't it. She must think I am stupid.
I have asked to see confirmation of the quote and confirmation that the leg is 'beyond repair'. No doubt I'll be waiting weeks to get this.
For those that are interested I'll keep this thread updated. Who knows, it might help someone in the future if they have a similar situation.
I really really regret not doing this. I was under the impression it was going to be replaced so I didn't worry too much about the damage to the leg as I thought it would be chucked anyway
I know, it's crazy isn't it. She must think I am stupid.
I have asked to see confirmation of the quote and confirmation that the leg is 'beyond repair'. No doubt I'll be waiting weeks to get this.
For those that are interested I'll keep this thread updated. Who knows, it might help someone in the future if they have a similar situation.
I really really regret not doing this. I was under the impression it was going to be replaced so I didn't worry too much about the damage to the leg as I thought it would be chucked anyway
Have a read of this for some good advice:
http://consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/residential-commercial-lettings/
http://consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/residential-commercial-lettings/
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Bit of an update. The letting agent has emailed me with some some suggestions the landlady made for wardrobes at the property, as they still have not provided this. She accidentally forwarded a conversation between the landlady and letting agent though. So I came in this morning with about 7 requests to recall the email. Anyway, all pasted below:
Top one is the newest, and is the email sent to me.
Letting agent to me
Landlady to Letting Agent
Letting Agent to Landlady
Landlady to Letting Agent
Letting Agent to Landlady
Landlady to Letting Agent
Letting Agent to Landlady
The above, basically shows that the landlady is nicer than I thought. She said twice in her emails that she doesn't feel we should pay.
The cheeky ****er letting agent then described how I 'snapped off the table leg' which is BS!!!
So, should I email the landlady and tell her what actually happened, as I now have her contact details. Or will that confuse the matter. If I do a really nice email to her about what happened, copying in the letting agent and letting her know that I will raise a dispute with deposit people when we move. Do you think I would be making things worse for myself?
Cheers
Top one is the newest, and is the email sent to me.
Letting agent to me
Landlady to Letting Agent
Letting Agent to Landlady
Landlady to Letting Agent
Letting Agent to Landlady
Landlady to Letting Agent
Letting Agent to Landlady
The above, basically shows that the landlady is nicer than I thought. She said twice in her emails that she doesn't feel we should pay.
The cheeky ****er letting agent then described how I 'snapped off the table leg' which is BS!!!
So, should I email the landlady and tell her what actually happened, as I now have her contact details. Or will that confuse the matter. If I do a really nice email to her about what happened, copying in the letting agent and letting her know that I will raise a dispute with deposit people when we move. Do you think I would be making things worse for myself?
Cheers
Well this seems to be the crux of the matter. You said you moved the table and the leg just fell off. While I can accept that an MFI table (for example), might be pretty shoddy, I doubt the leg is going to just fall off unless it's had some assistance either from the electrician or getting caught on something when you were moving it. Either way I'd imagine that moderate trauma wouldn't give the appearance of it being snapped.
Since you have nothing really to gain by lying about it to us on a forum, I'm happy to give the benefit of the doubt and say that something else contributed to the table being damaged. Could you not send the aforementioned nice email to the property owner and advise that you think the electrician damaged it when he broke the table top? It strikes me that you are a more captive (i.e. easier) target to pursue for cash than the electrician. You've been caught near the scene of the crime so are being found guilty by proximity. Maybe the landlady would be sympathetic to hearing you put this idea across to her.
As a final thought, do any of you have accidental damage insurance that might cover it?