“I was quite astonished at the behaviours of this agent ......”
1 Star Review
Jan 26,2015
By:
'Entwistle'
Jan 26,2015
Branch: Lancaster, 67-71 Market Street
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £825
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: LA1
Branch: Lancaster, 67-71 Market Street
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £825
Postcode: LA1
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I was quite astonished at the behaviours of this agent over three properties that I viewed with them, pressure tactics that I've never seen from any other agent I've viewed with. Iformation below, numbered for ease of reading!
1. I was told on the first property that even though someone else had applied before me that day, if I also applied that day I've be given fully equal rights, but only if I applied the very same day. I duly did that and one week later (after a second viewing to measure up) I was told the property had gone to the first applicant because they work on a first come first basis. I'm not sure what this was to server, possibly ensuring backup incase the first dropped out?
2. On the second property, I was told before even walking through the front door that if I signed now, the property was mine. Maybe let me see it first, Mr Eager?
3. The third property is where things get bad. I had many questions which I wasn't happy about with the rental and stated to the agent that I needed questions to be asked to the landlord. They said they were unable to this without a completed application form and payment form. They also told me that they had a queue of people waiting to take the property on the Monday and I'd lose it if I didn't sign the form. I wanted the property so I felt forced into signing. Note that this heavily breaches 22a of the code of conduct, about using undue pressure to force someone into making an application before they are ready to do so. Almost two weeks later, the property is still available for rental so maybe the queue pulled out?
4. Even though the agent could not meet the terms I'd required in the viewing, they took my application form as an actual application and charged my card £206, they have confirmed in writing that they have no intention of returning this money.
The ethics of this agent are simply outrageous. I have spoken with former agents from this branch who now work for other agents, they have confirmed that this office work on a small basic wage with performance based bonus system, where it pays the agent to be as heavy handed as possible to make the deal. I am disgusted by their behaviour and will be taking my complaint to the ombudsman and also to the local press. Please visit my facebook group if you would like to share your experiences.
What agent could do to change your mind?
Highest fees in the area, double anyone else.
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Comment on agent fees
Highest fees in the area, double anyone else.
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