22nd Apr 2026 (12 days ago)
I have been their tenant for four years, during which I have seen a systematic agenda to lie, cheat, deceive, and extort. From the beginning with their adverts, where they say the property is newly renovated, except maybe this was true 10 years ago, to the end with the deposit, it's all lies, bullshit, and theater. They present it as legitimate through bureaucracy, procedures, and landlords. The landlord has hired them to do all the work that they keep saying they are always going to the landlord for. Always pushing for renewal of contracts with higher price, even when your contract is neither close to ending, nor you need a new contract. Always trying to lull you into agreeing, saying everything is ok, it's just standard practice, no need to worry.
I was hoping it will all end when I move out, but I was very badly wrong. I'm fighting to get my deposit back. I moved out at the end of June, and from the way they were setting things up, and how things started to go, I started to get a very bad feeling. They have been scheming again in order to take nearly all of my deposit. After waiting 26 days, they came up with a fabricated set of charges, based absolutely on no grounds. Similarly with my other three housemates. I knew they will try to take some money, so I made sure there is nothing that they can hang on to, but they have exceeded all my expectations. They came up with a very large amount on made-up claims. They have provided no evidence of difference between the condition before and after, which would warrant the claim, because it does not exist. Almost all claims are false or not resulting from my tenancy, and if there is anything true, it should fall within fair wear and tear.
I also made sure I am present at the final check out and handing over of the property, in order to discuss any issues they might want to raise. But they wanted me to stay outside the house. At the end they said everything looks ok. When I asked for confirmation of return of my deposit, they said the office will decide. A stark contrast from my previous move-outs, where someone comes, I give keys, they check, everything looks good, I get my deposit in few days.
What is even more insulting, brazen, and absurd, is that they know that I have taken good care of the property. Throughout my tenancy I have even repaired things at my expense, because they would refuse to cover even the materials. I have left the property in better condition, than how I have received it. Getting into the details of each claim would be too lengthy, but as an example, they know that I'm the only person who have been cleaning the walkway, and maintaining the garden, and of course I left it in a good condition, yet they want to charge me for it.
I have explained to them how every claim is baseless, and I can support almost everything with evidence, and have asked for the full return of my deposit. They are ignoring all of my arguments, and ask me to make them an offer for how much is acceptable for me to pay. I wish I had taken evidence of absolutely everything, but I just didn't expect that they would blatantly lie.
They grossly abuse their unfair advantage in any way they can. Tenants agree to anything because of fear of retaliation. They don't want to risk having to move out, and they would not even submit a negative review on the internet, because they depend on them for references. Because I suspected this will happen, I asked a previous housemate what happened when he moved out. They charged him £150 for cleaning the floor, even though he cleaned and mopped it. No checks and balances provided. Later they fabricated them. He said he argued, but eventually he gave up, because it wasn't worth the stress they put him through. And I can say as well, what they put people through, and fighting them is very stressful, emotionally taxing and time consuming. These are heartless people who should not be allowed anywhere near conducting business in the UK.
Edit:
I got my deposit back. Hold on to your ground and don't submit to the demands and extortions.... Read more