100% sales valuation accuracy
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Jul 16,2012
Jul 16,2012
7
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We gave a month's notice to quit our tenancy. The agent tried to claim that because we were in a fixed tenancy, we were still responsible for another six months of rent. The agent then called me again to say there was a new tenant moving in immediately after us but that we would be liable for "Early Release Costs" amounting to £827.77. In the meantime, I began to get emails from another agent which insisted that there was no new tenant and that we remained the current tenants. Contrary to the most basic practices, she refused to give a date for checkout and sent no checkout instructions before a checkout was conducted without prior warning. In fact, we had already left and the property was immaculate. Despite this, the agent concocted the most absurd report. This included laughably amateurish photographs of some woman's finger over the sockets which were supposed to show "dust build-up". They also listed a number of the imperfections carried over from the check-IN report, described them again in more colourful language, and charged damages for these. Examples include £200 for mowing the lawn (not actually done); £168.61 for replacing a piece of torn old lino in the utility area (listed on the inventory as torn) and £100 for the socket "dust build-up". Their total claim amounted to £1296.38, with the humourous suggestion being that we should not only surrender our entire deposit but also send them a further cheque for £248.
When I questioned these absurd claims, the agent took a haughty and patronising tone and kept telling me I "did not understand my legal position". In fact, it seems I understood it better than they thought, since the Tenancy Deposit Scheme ruled that nearly all of the so-called "Early Release Costs" were not our responsibilty as tenants at all and most of the £827 was returned to us. As usual in these cases, the TDS weakly compromised on the trumped-up cleaning and damages, despite no evidence being provided beyond the "dusty finger" photos.
In our experience, Fox & Sons is one of those agents which regards tenants' deposits as a perk of the job. I strongly advise anyone looking to rent to give this agent (or "Sequence Homes" as they sometimes call themselves, presumably because F & S has such a low reputation) a very wide berth. If you do have the misfortune to rent from them, I would photograph every inch of damage or wear upon entry and make Fox & Sons sign and date all of the photographs. Don't be fooled by their bullying, quasi-legalistic approach and trumped up charges. When they make deductions from your deposit (as they inevitably will), be sure to take your claim up with the TDS.
When I questioned these absurd claims, the agent took a haughty and patronising tone and kept telling me I "did not understand my legal position". In fact, it seems I understood it better than they thought, since the Tenancy Deposit Scheme ruled that nearly all of the so-called "Early Release Costs" were not our responsibilty as tenants at all and most of the £827 was returned to us. As usual in these cases, the TDS weakly compromised on the trumped-up cleaning and damages, despite no evidence being provided beyond the "dusty finger" photos.
In our experience, Fox & Sons is one of those agents which regards tenants' deposits as a perk of the job. I strongly advise anyone looking to rent to give this agent (or "Sequence Homes" as they sometimes call themselves, presumably because F & S has such a low reputation) a very wide berth. If you do have the misfortune to rent from them, I would photograph every inch of damage or wear upon entry and make Fox & Sons sign and date all of the photographs. Don't be fooled by their bullying, quasi-legalistic approach and trumped up charges. When they make deductions from your deposit (as they inevitably will), be sure to take your claim up with the TDS.
What agent could do to change your mind?
Not attempt to rip us off left, right and centre?Attached Filesnbsp;
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Dec 05, 2012
Although i cannot comment on the agent, having never rented through them, i am aware of how the deposit scheme works and dont beleive there is an agent out there who ever plays a part on commenting on what should be deducted from a deposit? Its actually the landlord who is responsible for requesting deductions, as the money only ever goes to them once its been deducted and not the agent??? So whilst i understand you have been angered by their service, i must stress that your judgement on the situation would be incorrect whoever the agent were? The TDS should have explained this to you. I feel there is a massive mis-conception on how this scheme works and its important tenants fully understand how their deposit is being handled. Dec 05, 2012
Although i cannot comment on the agent, having never rented through them, i am aware of how the deposit scheme works and dont beleive there is an agent out there who ever plays a part on commenting on what should be deducted from a deposit? Its actually the landlord who is responsible for requesting deductions, as the money only ever goes to them once its been deducted and not the agent??? So whilst i understand you have been angered by their service, i must stress that your judgement on the situation would be incorrect whoever the agent were? The TDS should have explained this to you. I feel there is a massive mis-conception on how this scheme works and its important tenants fully understand how their deposit is being handled.
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Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 100% | 100% | £185,000 | £190,000 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Sep 05,2022
Sep 05,2022
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I was very pleased with all the help and advice Lucas and the staff at Plympton gave me during the sale of my property. I would recommend then to anybody looking to sell. Martin...
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Oct 27,2020
Oct 27,2020
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Keith and all the team were friendly and professional throughout, keeping both of us informed. Nothing too much trouble. thank you all...
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Sep 12,2020
Sep 12,2020
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Kristy from the Plympton office has been amazing. Talking us through our sale at all stages and keeping us informed throughout....
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Feb 11,2019
Feb 11,2019
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A positive experience from start to finish. Was kept updated all through the sale. Good old fashioned customer care, thank you Fox and Son....
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Comment on agent fees
Very reasonable fees.
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Mar 07,2018
Mar 07,2018
0
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We were cautious about coming to fox and sons as we didn't have the greatest experience last time out.
However, within 10
Minutes of being there it was vclear it was going to be positive this time.
Dan was fantastic as ever when we came to ...
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Comment on agent fees
Good and free
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No fees information available
Kindly note that legally, letting agents need to publish information about their tenancy fees, government-approved redress schemes and client money protection schemes on their website and on third party websites (on which agents are listed). For properties to lease/rent in England, agents need to keep this information up to date and precise on allAgents or specify within the property description.
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