Estate Agent - Sheer Incompetence

Estate Agent - Sheer Incompetence

Author
Discussion

ocrx8

Original Poster:

869 posts

203 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
Hi All,

I moved into a rented flat on June 26th this year, and am happy with the place APART from the car-parking situation. It is meant to have secured gated parking, but on moving in, the estate agent were unable to supply the fob for the gates. I wasn't particularly happy about this, especially since I'd 'secured' the flat since June 4th, but as there was nothing I could really do about it, accepted it and expected the fob to arrive in a few days.

>1 month later, phone calls every two days to the estate agent, and still nothing. I've had all the excuses from 'we can't get hold of the landlord', 'missing payment for the fob (landlord had to provide a new one at his cost)', 'waiting for payment to clear' etc etc.

What I want to know is, because this has gone on for over a month now, do I have a legal leg to stand on?

10 Pence Short

32,880 posts

224 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
What do you mean by 'leg to stand on'?

What are you expecting? A month rent free or something?


JulianHJ

8,791 posts

269 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
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Probably. Tell 'em the contract is void and squat the place. That'll learn 'em. evil

sleep envy

62,260 posts

256 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
obtain one yourself and discount the cost from the rent

confirm it in writing before you do it

ocrx8

Original Poster:

869 posts

203 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
10 Pence Short said:
What do you mean by 'leg to stand on'?

What are you expecting? A month rent free or something?
A free month's rent would be pushing it, but at least some financial compensation, seeing as we are paying for something that is not being received.

scotal

8,751 posts

286 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
ocrx8 said:
10 Pence Short said:
What do you mean by 'leg to stand on'?

What are you expecting? A month rent free or something?
A free month's rent would be pushing it, but at least some financial compensation, seeing as we are paying for something that is not being received.
Maybe go to them and say you want a discount for every month that you don't have access to the parking space.
Currently you are paying for a space that you cannont use. so stop paying for it.

If the agent has already ordered the fob, but won't release it without payment form the landlord, it seems obvious to me that they simply withjhold part of his monthly rent.

eddie1980

419 posts

195 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
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Have you tried contacting the landlord directly?

I have known the agents piss about with keys and fobs for gated parking, from my perspective as a landlord with this issue in the past the agents were demanding a third fob for there use. They wanted three sets of keys for the property, two for the tenant and one for them. I saw no reason why I should fork out the extra £150 just so they could park in the parking. Theory being that if it was let the parking would be in use, if it was not then they should have a fob in there possession. Based on this I refused to provide the extra one for them to loose.

It would not surprise me if something like this has gone on and there blaming the landlord over it, or that the agent failed to get the old fobs back, the landlord is holding them responsible for not recovering them yet refunding deposit, and they are not wanting to pay out for it etc.

Contact the landlord, and determine the issue, then you can both have a go at the agent!

Edited by eddie1980 on Tuesday 28th July 17:12

Neil_H

15,347 posts

258 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
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Drive into the gate at high speed, it should give way.