Couldn't agree with you more on this. We had the same problems absolute nightmare! con men. Avoid.

Marcel, It is very disappointing that you would submit such a viscous review containing lies; especially after you agreed to pay compensation for the dilapidations that you caused during your tenancy. We are taking this matter very seriously. Winnard & Brown DO NOT use a ploy to make 'fictitious' deductions from your bond". Nor did we receive commission from the gardener, cleaner and carpet cleaner for works carried out as a result of the dilapidations. When you took possession of the property you were provided with a photographic and written inventory as proof of the condition of the property. When you vacated the same inventory was used to compile a check out report allowing for fair wear and tear. When you vacated, the inventory provided clear evidence that there were dilapidations. As Letting Agents we are obliged to negotiate these costs between landlords and tenants. This is a very difficult part of our role as we are in the middle. We do not benefit from these negotiations in any way as it is very time consuming and a thankless task that can sometimes result in unreasonable abuse and negativity towards us as agents. Your deposit was legally protected and as responsible agents we must adhere to strict rules that are set by The Tenancy Deposit scheme. If you did not agree to dilapidations then you were entitled to a FREE independent arbitration provided by the TDS. They provide a very good and high level of service to protect tenants. However it is not their role to simply award you the whole of the deposit because you do not wish to pay for the dilapidations that you have caused. Winnard & Brown cannot and do not make any deduction from deposits without: a) Agreement from the Tenant. or b) Instructions from the TDS after all evidence has been reviewed. At the end of your tenancy there were clear and evidenced dilapidations to which you agreed to pay for and the balance of your deposit was returned as per your agreement.

No photographic evidence was ever supplied (despite promises to do so). After I handed the keys back the 'inspector' insisted on further cleaning works. I questioned these but I was denied access to the property to see what exactly needed doing....? I was still paying for occupancy for 5 days after I handed the keys back, but was told my occupancy ended when I handed them back but was not allowed back in the property. Winnard and Brown also held on to the 5 days rent !

Marcel, In an email in February you thanked us for our comprehensive check out report relating to the property and after negotiations you agreed to pay compensation for dilapidation's caused during your tenancy. I re-iterate, if you did not agree, we cannot simply take your deposit; that would be breaking the law. But you did agree. Again, if you did not agree then you were entitled to a FREE independent arbitration, of which you were well aware. With regard to the 5 days rent that you are complaining about. You have overlooked the fact that you had signed and agreed to a 12 month -fixed term contract that was only due to expire in August this year (2018). The contract is legally binding for the full term for both landlord and tenant. A fixed term contract is agreed to provide tenants and landlords with security for the said period. You contacted us only 3 months into the agreement to request that you be allowed to end the agreement sooner. There is no obligation on the landlord's part to allow an early termination, nor was there any obligation for Winnard & Brown to introduce a new tenant to help you end the agreement sooner. Had the landlord refused your request you would have been legally liable for over £8000.00 (eight thousands pounds) in rent. However the landlord did agree to an early termination provided that you agreed to pay rent up until a new tenant took possession and make a contribution towards the cost involved in introducing a new tenant. Given that you were the party breaking the agreement, you agreed that this was reasonable. Winnard & Brown therefore began re-advertising the property in an aim to assist you in your wishes to end the tenancy agreement early. A new tenant took possession in February, thus saving you well over £8000.00 (eight thousand pounds) in rent. When you vacate we must allow ‘turn-around time' to compile an inventory ‘check out' report and arrange any works required prior to the new tenant taking possession. Before you vacate it is impossible for us to know the full extent of works (if any) required as the report has not been completed. On property of this size, a five day period to carry out the check out, compile a comprehensive report and arrange for works to be completed ready for a new tenant taking possession is not unreasonable. In summary, it is very easy for people to be negative, criticise and simply overlook the good others try to do for them. Many people find it easier to criticise a company than compliment or thank them. We saved you over £8000.00 in rent that you were legally liable to pay by introducing a new tenant thus allowing you to terminate the agreement 6 months early. Yet you still felt the need to take to All Agents and write a viscous review containing lies in an aim to damage our reputation. This was totally unnecessary. I can accept that our service may not have been perfect at times, but being positioned between a landlord and tenant, this can often be a very difficult industry to be in and it is impossible to get things right all of the time. I hope that you find our response fair and with that in mind I kindly request that you be reasonable in your views or response or preferably remove this review, to allow us all to put it behind us and move on. Kind regards Craig Winnard