Hi Chris,

I hope you manage to see this, my partner and I were planning on renting with yourselves so I decided to look at some reviews of "Let It". It hasnt been too good on the review front from what I can see. I do understand that most people who have a pleasant experience working with you will not review, which is quite normal.

I wanted to ask about something you have wrote here which I received mix messages about after calling to find out about the application process.

I was told today that I would need to pay a third party to reference me and my partner and I did suggest that this was illegal, I was then told that the reason we had to pay for this is because the landlord / estage agent could not start this process.

I also then asked about alternatives solutions to us paying ~£100 for references and was told "theres no other way".

From what you have said above : " For tenants who wish to expedite a swift move-in process, we suggest a third-party referencing agency, who may levy a charge."

This would suggest that there is another way? Could you let me know what alternate options there are as I have done my research on Citizens advice and on Shelter Scotland and it is in fact illegal to charge tenants fees such as the ones I was told I would need to pay today. Could you also clarify why I was told on the phone that there was no other option, as this has left me with mixed feelings regarding renting with yourselves.

I look forward to your response.

Thanks.

Hi there,
Thank you for leaving a review, and for the positive comments about your good experience of our communication. However, I feel it is only right that I respond accordingly and address a couple of inaccuracies.
Firstly, without leaving your details as to which property you rented or your name, it is hard to know any background to this issues you mention, nor verify those claims. Also, we feel a fairer approach would be to contact us first and allow us an opportunity to address any concerns/complaints internally; We have no idea which property you refer to, so I will address very generally the points you raise.
Regarding charges – 1. Contrary to your claim, we DO NOT make any charges for credit checks as per the recent regulations. For tenants who wish to expedite a swift move-in process, we suggest a third-party referencing agency, who may levy a charge. 2. A sample lease is provided well in advance of your move-in date in order that you read it and are happy with everything before signing. On this, it outlines a minimum cleaning fee. However this is in the hands of the outgoing tenant – if you leave the property as described on the inventory then there is no fee. So again, this is not a standard unavoidable charge.
It is important to remember that we are simply an agent; We act on the instruction of your landlord. Therefore sometimes although it is frustrating for you and us regarding the presentation of a property, we are at the mercy of their decisions. Having said this, we won't market a property which is beyond a generally good level of presentation as this would reflect badly on us.
The inventory simply has to be a subjective record of the condition of the property on move-in, including a list of items present. We also take date-stamped photos for our records. You are given 48 hours on move in to make us aware of anything that we have missed, such as the broken blinds and the wobbly shelves, for example. This then absolves you of responsibility on the final inspection. This surely shows us as fair and compassionate, contrary to your claim of lack of common sense and compassion.
We have a repairs administrator so that you have one point of contact regarding repairs. It should also be noted that at your move-in, you were given details of the Private Rented Housing Panel, (PRHP) who are an independent body who can investigate the timescale and standard of repairs. After raising your dis-satisfaction about repairs with us, this should be your next official port of call.
To finish with, your deposit was held not by us, but with Safe Despoits Scotland. We have a certain time limit to make any claim to your deposit. You can also claim. After this, it is up to them to release your deposit directly to you.