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[Beswick]

Agree with this...

[Beswick]

I'd imagine everyone on here understands the basic principle of running a business.

The gas engineer who carries out the gas safety inspection spends up to an hour doing it, and has studied hard to pass the relevant exams, and jumps through hoops to remain 'Gas Safe'. The idea that it's...

[Beswick]

I used a guy who charged £45, but he was unreliable (messing tenants about), so I found someone else who does them for £50. Might depend on the part of the country you're in - I imagine it's more expensive in London, for example....

[Beswick]

When the redress scheme contacted them, they finally replied, denying everything.

However, two statements they made in their reply contradicted each other. I argued back and pointed out their contradiction. They offered £100+VAT as compensation. I accepted, and vowed NEVER to use a...

[Beswick]

Once they've signed the contract, I can't see why you shouldn't be able to get their contact details. Maybe ask the agent to meet them before they sign.

When I've used agents for 'find only' in the past (I use OpenRent now), I've been able to ask almost everything about new tenants without...

[Beswick]

I wrote a 2-page letter of complaint to the last agent I used and delivered it by hand to a senior member of staff at the office. No reply whatsoever. Ended up using the redress scheme after waiting 8 weeks.

[Beswick]

jpucng62,

My thoughts exactly. It's only a few months, which would probably be the amount of time it would take you to seek possession and get her out anyway (especially if she drags it out)

[Beswick]

£49 last time I used them (a year ago)...

[Beswick]

I did wonder this myself...

[Beswick]

Sound like she's really heavy handed ... feel sorry for her boyfriend !

Two common themes on these forums that apply here:
1. Never do favours
2. Steer clear of council letting schemes

[Beswick]

A lot of tenants don't like letting agents, purely down to bad experiences.

[Beswick]

Do you have a way of contacting the prospective tenant directly ? You might find that the holding deposit was 'refunded in full' (kept by the agent). A forum member recently posted about an agent who insisted that the holding deposit was to be kept by them cover their costs, and not to be given to...

[Beswick]

Obviously they've grown quite attached to living there, and are trying to put obstacles in your way to prevent your progress towards the day when you will eventually ask them to leave.

On the plus side, they are still paying rent. If I was in your position, I'd back off completely and...

[Beswick]

If not, this arrangement is no better than a 'failed the affordability checks but willing to pay 6 months rent up front' scenario ......

[Beswick]

I'm inclined to agree with this. If there's a wobble in the housing market, I reckon the flat market will be hit first/hardest. I don't know what it's been like where you're looking to buy, but here in Manchester they're throwing flats up absolutely everywhere they can - dozens of massive high rises,...

[Beswick]

Last time I heard of a developer offering to provide the legals (their own people) for free, it was in relation to houses with those rip-off leaseholds where the ground rent doubles every ten years.

I'd personally only ever accept free legals from a lender in relation to a remortgage. ...

[Beswick]

Firstly, you're worrying about something that might not even be argued about.

Secondly, if the landlord/agent does try to hold back any of your deposit for this, dispute it through the deposit scheme.

If the damage was caused by a door handle, there should have been a door...

[Beswick]

If it was one of my properties, I would react differently depending on how long they'd been living there, and how they had been with regards to paying rent.

Six months, that's a fair bit to stomach, but 6 years of rent in full and on time an I'd probably write it off and consider it just...

[Beswick]

Tell the LL what happened. The TV was 4 years old (i.e. not new). If they want you to replace it (although they might let you off), you could offer to get a used TV (off eBay for around £50). As long as the spec is similar, I doubt they would be too bothered. This all depends on how friendly the...

[Beswick]

I got a letting agent (who was holding a deposit) to transfer. You set up the new deposit protection, then you send the deposit reference and the new scheme's bank details to the other custodian (or scheme).

Your new protection is 'pending' until the the transfer happens. There's no 'unprotected'...