“AVOID THIS LETTING AGENT!!!!They might have their office in ......”
1 Star Review
Jun 22,2012
By:
'Wolverine'
Jun 22,2012
Branch: Cheltenham, 119 The Promenade
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode:
Branch: Cheltenham, 119 The Promenade
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode:
5
people found
this helpful
AVOID THIS LETTING AGENT!!!!
They might have their office in a posh part of town, but don't be fooled by this as it just seems to prove they have money to burn - probably from ripping off their tenants.
I moved into a property where CGT were not aware who the gas and electricity suppliers were, they had written to a supplier giving them meter readings (who writes to supply meter readings these days?! Don't most people/businesses do this by phone/e-mail?!) and had contacted the wrong supplier. Had they checked any of the numerous letters from British Gas they would have known, surely they were a clue?! The previous tenants left owing them money so it was fairly obvious that they would have left without paying utilities too, and as a result of CGT's incompetence BG forced entry and fitted a pre-payment gas meter just hours before I got the keys. I was then left with no emergency credit, no card to top up with and a meter charging for the previous tenant's debt, which meant I had no heating or hot water in winter during heavy snowfall and with a newborn baby to look after; and when I asked CGT for help all they did was give me a telephone number to call. I had to resolve the issue myself and pay to have a credit meter put back in by Eon - which, despite several requests at the end of my tenancy, they never reimbursed me for.
The boiler didn't work properly, to get hot water the tap had to be turned on so it only just trickled making runing a bath take far too long. They messed me around, failed to update me on the progress and left me and my baby with the faulty boiler for several months.
They didn't provide keys for the garden shed and back gate despite my requests before signing the agreement to be provided with these. They sent someone from the office to have a look! They eventually got a locksmith in who fitted a new bolt on the gate and shed but the padlocks weren't replaced, I had to buy them myself.
The front gate dragged on the ground and had nothing to latch onto so didn't close, they were told several times and never did anything about it so I had to fix it myself.
Their inspections were ridiculously strict - to the point where comments were made on how tidy the rooms were, which is of no concern to CGT as the house was being maintained and was undamaged. Even when the comments stated all the rooms were clean, tdy and the house was being maintained they decided to state that there were a few weeds in the garden. I think I saw 3 weeds!
When I was told the landlady wanted to move back in and that they were issuing a section 21 they called me first, and asked if I wanted a property list. That afternoon they rushed round to hand deliver the section 21 but never gave me a property list. Needless to say I looked for properties elsewhere.
They state on their paperwork that it can take 30 days to return the deposit, which is an absolute joke and shows a total lack of consideration for their tenants, who are then expected to find the money for another deposit long before having their CGT deposit returned.
The day after returning the keys their inventory clerk, Kaz, produced a check-out inspection report that was an absolute joke - listing items needing cleaning yet they had already been cleaned; grass needing cutting yet it had been done by hand with shears as there were severe downpours of rain and apparently tenants are expected to cut the grass to the desired (yet unspecified) length risking electricution from an electric mower; a door mat needing "brushing"; and a piece of white tack needing to be removed from a wall! They also stated freezer drawers were cracked and needed replacing, which I pointed out was uneccessary as they were repaired and still functioned.
They immediately said they would get quotes for the parts and I questioned their ridiculously strict comments and pointless remarks on things that had already been done, and the fact that they felt the need to mention a piece of white tack! I also ponted out the costs I had incurred through their incompetence with regards to the meter replacement and gate repairs. I was told Kaz would call me the following day yet it took him over a week and he actually just e-mailed me. He ignored my comments on costs I incurred, ignored my comments regarding the freezer drawers too saying the parts had been ordered and he would confirm the costs asap. I replied asking about this, particularly concerned by them ordering the parts after I had queried them even being needed and the fact that they ordered them yet didn't know the cost. Justin then stepped in saying he would get back to me the following day - which he didn't. 3 days passed, I contacted them again, pointing out the rules of TDS stating they should at least return the balance of my deposit and just withold the amount for the drawers - still no reply. I e-mailed again, pointing out that as per the TDS they had failed to resolve my dispute within 10 working days and demanded my deposit back otherwise I would instruct the TDS to file a dispute. That afternoon Justin called saying they were releasing my deposit with no charges for the drawers. They still charged me their £42 fee for the check out inspection, never responded regarding the costs I incurred and have just ignored my emails. - again.
They can keep my £42 - perhaps they can put it towards staff training in customer service.
I intend to warn as many people as possible to avoid this bunch of incompetent cowboys.
What agent could do to change your mind?
Nothing. Their customer service is appalling, their inspections are ridiculous, they don't care about their tenants - all they care about is getting money.
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