“My partner and I decided to view a fantastically presented ......”
1 Star Review
Aug 22,2014
By:
'Tony'
Aug 22,2014
Branch: Brighton, 107 Queens Road
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1250
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: BN1
Branch: Brighton, 107 Queens Road
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1250
Postcode: BN1
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My partner and I decided to view a fantastically presented flat. It had all the makings of an incredible home. During the viewing, there were issues and the Parks agents assured my partner and I that the gripes we had would be rectified before or shortly upon move in. First thing, during the viewing, I had an allergic reaction to the two cats that resided in the property. The agent saw me develop a rash. However, with full smile and confident assurance, she said all would be rectified upon move in. We loved the flat and quickly paid our holding deposit. Unfortunately, upon move in Parks totally mugged us off. Basically, on move in there was a strong smell of ammonia, animal and damp. Sure, it is common for a ground floor flat to smell of damp, but after we complained Parks sent the same property inspector to see if we have a valid complaint. The inspector, standing directly in front of us, blatantly lied or was totally incompetent, said all she smelled was damp. Mind you, we had 4 other people enter the property (two friends and two unbiased neighbours) who substantiated our claim that the flat smelled of cat urine. Basically, the inspector caused us to lose over £120 in deep cleaning expenses. After this, we complained of the animal smell. After closer inspection of the property, we noticed a huge hole in the wall that was hidden by the microwave and we couldn't see this until the previous residents removed their belongings. Than we noticed bugs totally infesting the property. Than, and this was the last draw, our place developed a flea infestation within 4 days of moving in and turning on the heat. Let me also mention that we did not move in until after 4 days of our official move in date. We had to have the place deep cleaned before we could move in. This place was a total nightmare and Parks just totally dismissed all of our complaints. Basically, it was all up to the landlord and they wouldn't even entertain our complaints without the consent of the landlord. What is really the tip of the iceberg is that the inspector reported to the landlord that everything was in order when it was clearly not. Because the landlord thought everything was ok, we dished out over £300 pounds to simply clean the place. Also, during the viewing we were lied to. The Parks agent actually suggested that we do not make formal requests. But after move in, none of our complaints were taken seriously because we did not make formal requests. We were lied to and because we didn't make a formal request we had no right to have our valid problems addressed. Dealing with Parks was total nightmare and I would highly suggest going with a different property or different more professional letting agency if you are interested in renting a property. To end this complaint, let me say that after two months, placing a formal complaint twice and having the place professionally cleaned to clean up all of the fleas and bugs that died after fumigation the landlord finally decided to agree on a mutual surrender. We moved just after two months. We are now living in a fantastic flat in Hove, and our rent is £100 pounds cheaper. The previous flat was in 7 dials and we live just a block from the seafront now.
What agent could do to change your mind?
Ella Collins is not capable of distinguishing the smell of cat urine from the smell of damp. This is an incredible problem when the previous tenants had two cats and gravel from the cat box was sill in the flat upon move in.
During the viewing, don't believe their smiles and assurances, get everything in writing and MAKE FORMAL REQUESTS! Nothing will get done without them.
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