1st Apr 2024 (6 weeks ago)
Oh dear. We found a property to rent and what started off as a promising start, with Aimee in her first week as a lettings agent, she was very pleasant and competent. We placed the required 5 weeks holding deposit on the property and proceeded with the referencing formalities etc., During this time the Landlady changed her mind (not for the first time) and no longer wanted to rent the property but now wanted to sell it. As we had only signed the 'intention' to rent and paid the holding deposit to Connells, that was that, the tenancy could not go ahead. So we asked Connells for our 5 weeks deposit back and despite being told it would be returned, kept getting fobbed off with excuses such as 'the accounts team are very busy' to, 'we use an external company to take/hold the deposits' (which was not disclosed at the time placing the payment directly with them.. Upshot after continual failures to return the deposit we gave them a 5 day notice of intended litigation. No deposit received, so proceeded with a claim through the Small Claims Court. Strangely, the deposit was then returned, but not yet the costs incurred is getting it back; so we will proceed with the litigation and see what a Judge makes of their behavior. I understand the 'change in mind was not the agents fault, but the manner in which they behaved thereafter was dreadful. Avoid handing any money over to them.... Read more