[BNM] nightmare estate agencies

[Russell Beech]

Erm... I'm not the one with the problem.  Andrew posted the original message
and I replied with a link to the CAB advice site.

2008/8/19 Ruth Harper <Ruth at culture24.org.uk>

> Hi Russell
>
> The whole deposit/last month's rent thing is a bit of a minefield. I've
> done it a couple of times when I *really* didn't trust the agents, and
> they didn't affect my credit rating or my ability to move somewhere
> else. But it's really risky and I wouldn't recommend it as anything
> other than a last resort.
>
> Also, there is now a deposit protection scheme that your agent MUST be
> signed up to (or face repaying you three times what you paid as a
> deposit...)
>
> Details here: http://tinyurl.com/59c5sr
>
> If you are planning on moving out soon, my suggestion would be that you
> approach the agents NOW to start negotiating your deposit. If they ask
> you why, then tell them it's because you need to pull together a deposit
> for your next place.
>
> Then, clearly, if they start to play silly buggers, you have to option
> of withholding rent, BUT they will probably still treat that as rent
> arrears and might attempt to chase you for it; though probably not very
> hard if it's only one month - Just make sure that you've got your credit
> checks and references run for your next place before you fall into rent
> arrears or before it gets a chance to show up on your file.
>
> IF they take it further, be prepared to fight them over the deposit
> scheme. They might decide to be evil and take you to court about the
> arrears, at which point you'll need to have an open dispute about the
> deposit.
>
> Double-check your figures to make sure that they're not owed any more
> than the total deposit.
>
> Offer them a final rent cheque in return for your deposit cheque (it's
> easier for their books; if they *are* signed up to a protection scheme,
> then they probably can't actually bank your deposit to pay for the final
> month's rent).
>
> Take photographs NOW of everything that's wrong with the place (esp.
> macro photos of the peeling wallpaper that can be showed to a surveyor
> to make it clear that this isn't something that you've caused), and put
> together a file of everything you've sent to the estate agents to do
> with the repairs. Most people don't bother to keep this sort of
> paperwork, and it tends to scare agents into being honest if you've got
> a paper trail.
>
> Make sure that you take photos of the condition in which you leave it
> and call in mates to deep clean it in return for beer; agents like to
> charge A LOT for that sort of stuff.
>
> They probably won't take it any further if you make it clear that you're
> willing to fight.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> Ruth Harper
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bnmlist-bounces at brightonnewmedia.org
> [mailto:bnmlist-bounces at brightonnewmedia.org] On Behalf Of Russell Beech
> Sent: 19 August 2008 10:01
> To: Brighton New Media
> Subject: Re: [BNM] nightmare estate agencies
>
> No, don't do that...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/5zubmx*
>
> *
> 2008/8/19 andrew holway <andrew at moonet.co.uk>
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > Ive been living in this house for nearly 6 months and the place is
> > falling apart, 3 of the draws fronts in the kitchen have come apart,
> > about half the electric wall sockets down work and the wallpaper is
> > coming away from the walls.
> >
> > The agent is just rubbish and wont do anything to get stuff fixed. I
> > dont trust them so Im intending to hold back the last months rent to
> > avoid any messing around with deposits (I really need the cash to get
> > a new place)
> >
> > Can the agent affect my credit rating? Take me to court?
> >
> > Ta
> >
> > A
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