UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello forum,

I'm looking to rent in London (I still have a month and a half in my current place, so I've got time) and searching around I'm quite concerned. Hearing about letting agents who have random fees pop up, or that they might try to make you pay for damage (for example a shower that they never fixed properly, and breaks within a few weeks) that you didn't really cause, trying to hold your deposit, etc. All of which kind of scares that if I choose a bad one (and it doesn't seem like I can do too much to figure out who is a bad one), I might end up paying far more than the initial fees (~400) (by the way I don't get why a tenant should have to pay the agent, but whatever).

I went to see a studio today, which in theory is totally acceptable and I would have even agreed to rent it if it wasn't for this lack of general trust towards estate agents.

I'll talk about this specific studio so that I'm not just talking generally.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-60819695.html

That's the ad.

My appointment was today at 17:00. I arrived early at around 16:20 at the agency (Ariston Property Group) and I told them that I'm here for the viewing, that I'm a bit early but its ok I can wait. We went to the property in case the person living there is already there. He wasn't... after knocking the agent waited for just 10 seconds then opened the door with his key and we walked in. Although this saved me time in this case, to me, unless the tenant currently living therea greed to this, it is a red flag. As I understand it you have to agree on a time, which was 17:00 and if the tenant wasn't there at that time, then MAYBE the agent is right to enter anyway for the viewing. In this specific case I wouldn't have had a problem waiting until 17:00...

Anyway, the apartment was fine on a first inspection. There was a crack on the kitchen wall. I asked whether we take pictures during inventory so as to keep proof of these things and he said yes, which is good.

So then he told me that the tenant will leave around 8 August I think, and his contract normally ends on the 17. I told him I would like to see it again after the current tenant leaves (he of course told me that someone will have let it by then). It just doesn't make sense to me to sign something/pay money right and then realize that oh... there is no bed (for example), or there are other problems.

So I asked about the contract and he said that I would need to give 2 weeks' rent in order to take it off the market, and then I could have the contract start from 25 August. That sounds good, so I don't necessarily need to have the contract start on the 18th (or the 9th). But even with this, somehow I'm just "afraid" there is going to be a catch, or when we actually meet for the contract they will say that I cannot do that... or something along those lines.

Finally, this specific agency, is a member of NALS and The ombudsman something... which in theory is good (and my university, UCL, recommends them)... but, then why do they have such a bad review ratings on google (reviews describing stuff such as the things I'm worried about - or rather, because of such reviews, I am worried about such stuff).

So, I'm wondering now whether finding something on openrent or upad would be better/safer (and less expensive)?

Anyway, I've made many questions.

I guess besides your opinion, I would like to ask what steps should I take in order to safeguard myself with regards to my deposit, agency fees, being charged for things (property damage) that I didn't really cause, or the house having problems and the agency won't fix them/takes too long/or tells me to pay for them.

Thank you for any insight

An Agent's membership of any professional organisation gives them the right to display that logo. It is supposed to indicate a level of competence, professionalism, trust, have a documented complaints procedure with the body sitting above... all the good things. Yet, you've seen many negative reviews.

Maybe it is the case that the Agencies pay the bodies to be members and display their logo and it is all just a big con?

Even if that is the case, it doesn't change your predicament - you have to find somewhere to live and you have to play by the rules put out there by the people who have the control - the Agents and the Landlords.

In this day and age, all fees should be displayed prominently on a website or in an agreement - they are part of your decision-making process, obviously.

You are both probably correct in that if you dither the property will likely go to someone else, who is not as circumspect as you.

Hi,

If ever you will settle into that apartment and you are worrying to safeguard yourself  which regard to your security deposit, agency fees, being charged for things (property damage) that you didn't really cause, or the house having problems and the agency won't fix them/takes too long/or tells you to pay for them.

Then I suggest that you must do a move in walk through http://bit.ly/29WcZka together with your landlord. This will document  the condition of the space at move time. It reduces conflicts between landlords and tenants. It's a cloud-based application helping both landlords and tenants prove "it was like that at move-in."

I have been using this application every time I move in due to the nature of my work. And also because I am afraid to lose my security deposit to a crook landlord once again.

Hope it will help you also at your move in.