25th Oct 2024 (16 weeks ago)
Rented with C&R Properties for 3 years, your very standard average estate agent where all they care about is your money and slow to sort out repairs.
To secure our 2 bedroom flat for £900 a month in 2021, we needed the £1K deposit plus 3 months rent upfront PLUS a guarantor and employer references. We negotiated to 2 months rent upfront. No wonder we struggle with homelessness when the rental market is this screwed. All just for an average flat in an old council block.
For moving day, they didn't even have our keys ready at the office. Some maintenance guy had them but was thankfully still in the county to drive into the office. This situation set the tone of what was to come.
In 2021, our 2 bed flat was £900 a month. A year later, they tried to up it by another £200 a month. Negotiated to £150 instead.
A year later, they tried to up it by another £200 a month and were refusing to give us a rolling contract at this point despite us regularly paying rent on time for 2 years. I think the landlord had different thoughts and the next thing we knew, we were thankfully granted a rolling contract and our rent only increased by £50 instead of £200 a month.
We left our flat in better condition than how we recieved it. Got most of our deposit back besides from £35 which apparently went towards some crumbs on our bedside table.... They also accused us of rent arrears which was false. Always quick and so overly confident to accuse you of things when actually they're in the wrong.
If you're not sharp about the processes and what you've signed up to, it would be easy to lose money that you wouldn't be entitled to give.
Always negotiate, never accept what they're asking.... Read more