16th Jul 2026 (17 days ago)
Unfortunately, this has been by far the most stressful tenancy my partner and I have ever experienced, and I would strongly advise anyone considering renting through Ford & Partners, particularly the properties on Chairborough Road, to think very carefully.<br>Our concerns actually began before we even moved in. During the viewing, we were unable to view the actual flat we would eventually be renting because it had not yet been completed. We were then encouraged to proceed with the tenancy, despite the property not being ready. Our original move-in date at the end of May 2025 had to be delayed because the flat was still unfinished. When we were finally able to move in, the property had still not been properly cleaned, and we discovered a dead rat inside the flat on the first day.<br>From the beginning, the property appeared to have been renovated to a very poor standard. There were lumps of dried plaster and silicone left on the floors and doors, and it felt as though very little care had been taken when preparing the flat for tenants.<br>The biggest issue throughout our tenancy was persistent damp and mould. Although remedial works were carried out on more than one occasion, the mould repeatedly returned. It came back in August 2025 and remained present until the day we left the property, despite countless emails, inspections, contractor visits and assurances that it would be resolved. This was in the property's only bedroom, meaning we spent months living and sleeping in those conditions.<br>There were also numerous other issues throughout the tenancy, including leaking plumbing, pest problems, failing plasterwork, and security concerns.<br>The storage cupboard allocated to our flat is located in the communal hallway. Due to the poor quality of the renovation, the door did not fit the frame correctly and we were initially given a key that did not fit the lock. Because the cupboard could not be secured properly, some of our belongings were stolen while we were away and others were damaged. It was only after reporting the theft that the lock was replaced. Even then, the contractor failed to provide us with the new key, meaning we had to make another trip to the office simply to gain access to our own belongings.<br>I was also provided with incorrect information regarding the likely council tax costs before signing the tenancy, which affected our budgeting and affordability calculations.<br>Throughout the tenancy, we repeatedly informed the agents that we did not intend to continue living at the property because of the ongoing issues. Despite this, when we eventually moved out and requested an earlier surrender, we were told there were insufficient grounds and were required to continue paying rent until 29 June 2026, despite the property being empty and still requiring significant remedial works.<br>The most disappointing aspect of the experience was the lack of urgency shown in resolving problems while we were living there. Ironically, contractors were arranged to redecorate the bedroom only after we had moved out, even though the mould had been an ongoing issue for many months.<br>Overall, the experience caused us a great deal of unnecessary stress. We were patient, cooperative, allowed access for numerous inspections and contractors, and documented every issue throughout the tenancy. Sadly, it often felt as though meaningful action was only taken after problems escalated rather than when they were first reported.<br>I hope this review helps prospective tenants make an informed decision before renting through Ford & Partners... Read more