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We had an extremely disappointing experience with Brown & Co Estate Agents during the end of our tenancy.<br><br>They tried to claim a substantial amount from my deposit for issues that were entirely unreasonable, including the removal of an item of furniture that actually belonged to the property owner, alleged missing lightbulbs, and professional cleaning charges for the entire property including carpets that were nearly 20 years old and beyond life expectancy. Many of the deductions appeared to be aimed at improving the property for the landlord to sell, rather than fairly addressing genuine tenant wear and tear. It was particularly concerning that some of the extra items and the amount of money being claimed were added to throughout the process. The claims presented before and during the DPS dispute process were not entirely consistent, which raised questions about the validity of some of the deductions being sought.<br><br>Throughout the dispute, Josh Bailey's communication was often awkward with no negotiation skills, and there was a clear attempt to pursue claims for betterment rather than what was fair and reasonable under tenancy deposit rules. Rather than acting as an impartial agent, it seemed there was a deliberate focus on maximising the return to the landlord.<br><br>We were also disappointed by his handling of a small area of mould around the faulty hob extractor fan, as the problem was not addressed fairly or appropriately.<br><br>Fortunately, the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) reviewed the evidence independently and saw through many of the claims being made. The adjudicator recognised that the property had not been professionally cleaned when we moved in and rejected a significant proportion of the deductions being sought from our deposit.<br><br>Overall, the experience left us with little confidence in Brown & Co's ability to deal fairly and objectively with tenants. My advice to anyone renting through this agency would be to take extensive photographs at check-in and check-out, keep detailed records of all communication, and not be afraid to challenge deposit deductions through the DPS if you believe they are unfair.<br><br>Based on my experience, I would not recommend Brown & Co Estate Agents.... Read more
28th Aug 2026 (20 days ago)