“I have wasted 10 days of time and effort on waiting ......”
1 Star Review
Dec 14,2017
By:
'RUBBISH'
Dec 14,2017
Branch: London, 170 High Street
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1400
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: W3
Branch: London, 170 High Street
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1400
Postcode: W3
40
people found
this helpful
I have wasted 10 days of time and effort on waiting for a property which has never actually been accepted to rent to us. Throughout this period of time, the letting agent from Dexters only dragged us as long as possible, saying the landlord has accepted my offer and is very positive to have the contract signed.
When I first made the offer, the letting agent just focused on discussing the details like dates and what kind of documents are needed. They didn't tell me there is an accepted offer undergoing reference checking until after a few days. When I planned to give up and look for another place, the letting agent called and told me the offer has fallen through and I can make a new offer.
I wanted to save time and thus proceeded to make an offer, and provided card details for paying the holding deposit (once the landlord has accepted my offer). The letting agent then sent me an online application to be completed and for many times emphasized that we need to get everything ready ASAP. In the following few days I had chased for a feedback from the landlord but the letting agent just again dragged me as long as possible by saying that the landlord was still considering.
After about 5 days (which is the period for a holding deposit to be valid), I gave an ultimatum to the company that if I don't receive a YES/NO from the landlord I will simply withdraw my offer. The letting agent then called me last minute in the evening saying that the landlord has accepted my offer and we can move forward to prepare the contract. I asked many times for a written confirmation about the landlord accepting my offer and also the right to a full refund in case the deal fail from the landlord side. The letting agent refused to do so and just redirected me to his director, and at last they only did it on phone without any written confirmation.
They only urged me to provide my details to process reference checking "immediately", for them to prepare the contract. As I understand in order to prepare a contract, the landlord must have accepted the offer and that the tenant has passed reference checking. In this case Dexters just tried to get me providing everything of myself by convincing me that the landlord has accepted the offer (where I highly doubt) and we need to speed up in the process.
I prepared all the necessary documents and waited for the "contract" on the other day. At the end of course it didn't happen, the letting agent called me in the evening (last minute again) that the landlord has accepted another offer and is not going to go with mine. I just asked again to make sure no money has been charged on my card and for sure I would not look for another property from them.
Since the first few days I had the feeling that the landlord probably have accepted other offers and didn't have much confidence that I could secure the contract. However due to the tiring process of seeking a suitable property I decided to wait for a miracle to happen, and that was a big mistake I have made.
The letting agent never reply to my email, never give any written confirmation besides the viewing confirmation. What they had done is persuade you to give your details to "proceed" with an application, and the best way would be saying the landlord is considering or even has accepted your offer, even though it didn't happen at all.
Comment on agent fees
The amount of £700 holding deposit is simply too much.
Reference fee of £60 is fine.
40
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I finally managed to find a property in my daughter school catchment area, as soon as lockdow 2 was eased, thanks to another eastae agent but it was tough. To secure the property, an earlier move out was needed, which was convenient for both me and the landlord but not Dexters. Dexters In fact, decided it fair to charge me fees of £557.22 (this is not due rent) which will be taken from my deposit, this according to Dexters is to make up for loss of rent up to the end of the contract and finding another tenant. That is their response. I am a single mother to a toddler and finances are hard so the deposit money is very needed.
My advice is to avoid if you are a tenant, within the lower rent range bracket (In my case up to 1250pcm).