“poor service unprofessional...”
1 Star Review
Apr 01,2019
By:
'broadmead'
Apr 01,2019
Branch: Horley, 28A Victoria Road
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £850
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: RH69
Branch: Horley, 28A Victoria Road
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £850
Postcode: RH69
2
people found
this helpful
What an unprofessional, un-organised, self-centred company Choices are. What my girlfriend had to deal with in the 4 years she was a tenant through choices is disgraceful. From day one after choices saying that the property at Broadmead Horley was ready and had been professionally cleaned, we found empty beer cans on top of the cupboards. The washing machine was that bad with black mold we removed it. The garden was promised to be cleared of rubbish. though after 4 weeks after moving in we had to clear ourselves. 19 black bags filled and removed. Mold growing on the ceilings in the bathroom and bedroom, which we had to bleach off and clean on a weekly basis. The council were mentioned to choices and then they acted. Blaming the landlord every time! We met with the landlord who was lovely. (Even suggesting that the home was immaculate after we had painted throughout and got the garden up to scratch). They charged the girlfriend an insurance premium each month, which they said she had to have. I found out and questioned it, they said that she didn't have to have it as she was employed, and that was for people who were unemployed. This was after the six months. They then proceeded to push for renewal of the tenancy agreement, which they originally said the girlfriend had to do, I disagreed and went to the office in person to remonstrate that legally the old tenancy could run on as a periodic. On leaving the property we cleaned it from top to bottom, even painting the walls and skirting throughout, as we were told that choices would claim on anything they could. Trust us, they do. Not only did we have to pester for the deposit refund but argue how much they were allowed to charge. First e mail they claimed £130 for not giving any copies of utility bills, we were never told this. That was easily quashed, with copies of bills produced. Then a different charge of £95 was shown for renewal of tenancy agreement. This was vigorously denied over the phone, to be told that if we wanted to dispute this then it would take a lot longer to get any of the deposit back. Upon which I stated a few lines from the DPS which states that they are only allowed to withhold the disputed amount. We then sent across the e mail trail which showed confirmation of what was originally communicated and promptly asked for the full deposit back. We eventually had this paid into the account, minus the standard £95 check out fee 13 days after checking out (working days) We have numerous photographs of the property on start of tenancy and then a video and pictures on checking out. I will post some of these just to show what people are up against dealing with this rip off, unprofessional company. DO NOT TOUCH THEM WITH A BARGE POLE! If you do then you have been warned. You will deal with some obnoxious person, who thinks that they are a lot higher than anyone else, and who thinks that the tenants and the landlords owe them and choices. I could add a few other details in this message but will refrain for now. All I will say is that some issues had to be raised through the company directors to get any response. Though the response was always met with that they are doing you a favor, or in good will. When will the governing bodies start spot checking and penalising such Companies like choices for what they do to tenants / landlords? they should be ashamed to call their company the most successful. If building a successful business is ripping the general public off then I would agree, you are the best in your field. I am sure that the Property Ombudsman Scheme and the National Approved Letting Scheme would be keen on seeing all my dealings and pictures from my experience of choices over the last four years!
Comment on agent fees
very poor. Not the cheapest though their service should warrant that!
2
people found
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