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Nov 24,2013
Nov 24,2013
18
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If you can help it, do not rent through De Vere. My general experience of dealing with De Vere over the last 19 months has been terrible. I won't go in to the ins-and outs on this website as the list is endless, however if De Vere are your only option for renting, or you are already one of their tenants, then read on...
I should start with saying state that I work as a property manager myself and deal with landlord/tenant issues on a daily basis. Based on experiences of my fellow housemates, and from what I have personally experienced, I have compiled a list of advice that may help you, if you have any issues with getting money back at the end of your tenancy, or dealing with issues during your tenancy:
1. Deposit or "Further Advance". This money has to be held in a government approved tenancy deposit scheme, and De Vere and every other landlord or lettings agency has to put your deposit in one of these schemes within 30 days of the start of your tenancy. They then have to notify you where it is being held. If they fail to do that, then you are entitled to take them to a small claims court and can recover 3x your deposit back (this is a simple process, do not be put off!). De Vere cannot take any money from your deposit at the end of your tenancy if they have not informed you in writing of where your deposit was held, regardless of their reasons for the deduction. This applies to any letting agent or landlord in the UK. De Vere may try and tell you that your deposit is not a deposit, and that it is a "Further Advance". This is absolute nonsense. Any money held by De Vere, no matter what they call it, is by legal definition a deposit. It automatically becomes a deposit at the start of your tenancy. This is set in law, in the Housing Act 2004, Chapter 34.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/34
Note that De Vere cannot legally evict you without first having told you, and proven to you, that they put your deposit in a tenancy deposit scheme. Without this, their Section 21 Notice is completely invalid. Note that they cannot evict you without issuing a Section 21 Notice!
https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/information-landlords-must-give-tenants
2. Landlord's Details. You are legally entitled to know who your landlord is. It is a criminal offence not to be informed of this, or for this to be withheld if you request it. Do not be bullied in to submission if you want this information. You are legally entitled to it, and De Vere are breaking the law if they refuse to provide it. It is also worth noting that this information is available to the public, and can be obtained for a small price from the Land Registry. This is where the government stores all of the information on land and property owners. Of course, you should not have to go and pay for it yourself. De Vere should give it to you, free of charge.
3. Missed a rent payment, being bullied by De Vere? It is completely illegal for De Vere to change your locks, or bully you with their 2 extremely large debt collectors if you miss a rent payment. Unfortunately they tried to do this to another one of my housemates, who had in fact paid his rent. De Vere just didn't check their records properly. The proper process that De Vere need to follow is issue you with a Section 21 Notice, or take you to court. They cannot just lock you out of your room, or house. If they fail to follow this process then they are breaking the law!
Again, note that De Vere cannot legally evict you (by serving a Section 21 Notice) without first having told you, and proven to you, that they hold your deposit in a tenancy deposit scheme!!! Without this, their Section 21 Notice is completely invalid.
4. Issues with Cleaning, Repairs? It is most likely you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) if you are renting with De Vere - This is where they rent various rooms to individuals. If you rent in a HMO, then there is specific legislation that sets out De Vere's and any other letting agent's legal responsibilities. They must clean the communal areas, they must keep the communal areas well maintained, they must provide suitable refuse facilities sufficient for the number of people in your house. Do not be fooled by De Vere if you make a complaint about the cleaning. De Vere told me that cleaning was "a free, complimentary service". Most people would probably take this at face value. Don't, it's utter nonsense. Cleaning the communal areas is a legal responsibility of De Vere. If they are failing to do any of the above then you can report them directly to the council, who hold powers in enforcing legislation. De Vere would not want this to happen for a number of reasons that I won't explain here, so kindly point out to their directors that you are considering this, and remember, do not be bullied if they threaten you with eviction for standing your ground. They cannot evict you if they have not told you where your deposit is held! For more info, visit:
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/houses-in-multiple-occupation
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/about_private_renting/shared_houses_and_flats/rights_and_responsibilities_in_a_shared_home
If you want to know more about your rights as a tenant then I would suggest that any tenant visits the Shelter website:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/about_private_renting/assured_tenancies
If you are having any issues with De Vere, and want any free advice, feel free to drop me a line: [email protected]
I should start with saying state that I work as a property manager myself and deal with landlord/tenant issues on a daily basis. Based on experiences of my fellow housemates, and from what I have personally experienced, I have compiled a list of advice that may help you, if you have any issues with getting money back at the end of your tenancy, or dealing with issues during your tenancy:
1. Deposit or "Further Advance". This money has to be held in a government approved tenancy deposit scheme, and De Vere and every other landlord or lettings agency has to put your deposit in one of these schemes within 30 days of the start of your tenancy. They then have to notify you where it is being held. If they fail to do that, then you are entitled to take them to a small claims court and can recover 3x your deposit back (this is a simple process, do not be put off!). De Vere cannot take any money from your deposit at the end of your tenancy if they have not informed you in writing of where your deposit was held, regardless of their reasons for the deduction. This applies to any letting agent or landlord in the UK. De Vere may try and tell you that your deposit is not a deposit, and that it is a "Further Advance". This is absolute nonsense. Any money held by De Vere, no matter what they call it, is by legal definition a deposit. It automatically becomes a deposit at the start of your tenancy. This is set in law, in the Housing Act 2004, Chapter 34.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/34
Note that De Vere cannot legally evict you without first having told you, and proven to you, that they put your deposit in a tenancy deposit scheme. Without this, their Section 21 Notice is completely invalid. Note that they cannot evict you without issuing a Section 21 Notice!
https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/information-landlords-must-give-tenants
2. Landlord's Details. You are legally entitled to know who your landlord is. It is a criminal offence not to be informed of this, or for this to be withheld if you request it. Do not be bullied in to submission if you want this information. You are legally entitled to it, and De Vere are breaking the law if they refuse to provide it. It is also worth noting that this information is available to the public, and can be obtained for a small price from the Land Registry. This is where the government stores all of the information on land and property owners. Of course, you should not have to go and pay for it yourself. De Vere should give it to you, free of charge.
3. Missed a rent payment, being bullied by De Vere? It is completely illegal for De Vere to change your locks, or bully you with their 2 extremely large debt collectors if you miss a rent payment. Unfortunately they tried to do this to another one of my housemates, who had in fact paid his rent. De Vere just didn't check their records properly. The proper process that De Vere need to follow is issue you with a Section 21 Notice, or take you to court. They cannot just lock you out of your room, or house. If they fail to follow this process then they are breaking the law!
Again, note that De Vere cannot legally evict you (by serving a Section 21 Notice) without first having told you, and proven to you, that they hold your deposit in a tenancy deposit scheme!!! Without this, their Section 21 Notice is completely invalid.
4. Issues with Cleaning, Repairs? It is most likely you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) if you are renting with De Vere - This is where they rent various rooms to individuals. If you rent in a HMO, then there is specific legislation that sets out De Vere's and any other letting agent's legal responsibilities. They must clean the communal areas, they must keep the communal areas well maintained, they must provide suitable refuse facilities sufficient for the number of people in your house. Do not be fooled by De Vere if you make a complaint about the cleaning. De Vere told me that cleaning was "a free, complimentary service". Most people would probably take this at face value. Don't, it's utter nonsense. Cleaning the communal areas is a legal responsibility of De Vere. If they are failing to do any of the above then you can report them directly to the council, who hold powers in enforcing legislation. De Vere would not want this to happen for a number of reasons that I won't explain here, so kindly point out to their directors that you are considering this, and remember, do not be bullied if they threaten you with eviction for standing your ground. They cannot evict you if they have not told you where your deposit is held! For more info, visit:
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/houses-in-multiple-occupation
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/about_private_renting/shared_houses_and_flats/rights_and_responsibilities_in_a_shared_home
If you want to know more about your rights as a tenant then I would suggest that any tenant visits the Shelter website:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/about_private_renting/assured_tenancies
If you are having any issues with De Vere, and want any free advice, feel free to drop me a line: [email protected]
What agent could do to change your mind?
Improve every aspect! Completely unprofessional, shoddy and terrible company that use bullish tactics to rip off tenants left, right and center!Attached Filesnbsp;
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Opening Hours
Address
De Vere Property Management
Fortis House, 160 London Road
Barking,London
Essex
IG11 8BB
020 7078 7650
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettings | 0% | 0% | £0 | £0 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Sep 19,2019
Sep 19,2019
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Never use this agency there's are stoler ,stupid and bad , never find another solution,nobody answer to the phone when you have a problem...
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Aug 29,2019
Aug 29,2019
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Disgusting agency. I have used 7 different agency in my life in the UK and this is the worst. What they do is illegal- send people over to houses without notice, and they don't even knock. They have been avoiding me for over 2 weeks because I ...
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May 20,2014
May 20,2014
0
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I have been a tenant for the last 2 years and theses lots have been like a bunch of friends to me. I took the flat over the phone without even seeing it and for a room in a new build apartment next to canary wharf ...
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May 11,2014
May 11,2014
0
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I took a room with De Vere recently and I was very pleased overall with the service I received from them. I was in contact with Ali who was very friendly and professional, he showed me quite a few rooms within my budget and desired ...
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Mar 07,2014
Mar 07,2014
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I would thoroughly warn against renting from Sterling Devere. Their lack of professionalism and disregard for the wellbeing of tenants is beyond belief (in fairness the landlord was just as bad).
I will spare you the details of my ordeal, but Devere consistently failed to ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
They got nothing right. Where do I start...Attached Filesnbsp;
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Jan 14,2014
Jan 14,2014
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Don't use sterling devere
Why???
- they don't pay the bills on time
- they wait until your electricity is almost turned off to pay a small amount
- they don't repair items when promised
- their cleaning service is unreliable and intrusive
- their ...
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Dec 19,2013
Dec 19,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Good value for money! I booked a room with Sterling De Vere head office and was amazed at the room price, £155pw for a double room all Inc.
Bobby was absolutely brilliant at showing me a room close to my uni. Thank you!...
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Dec 13,2013
Dec 13,2013
0
people found
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this helpful
I am very happy for the service of the agence, the personnal of the agence is very good and professional.
Kobir and Hussein are very good agent !
I would recommend them!...
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Nov 24,2013
Nov 24,2013
18
people found
this helpful
this helpful
If you can help it, do not rent through De Vere. My general experience of dealing with De Vere over the last 19 months has been terrible. I won't go in to the ins-and outs on this website as the list is endless, however if De ...
read full review
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Improve every aspect! Completely unprofessional, shoddy and terrible company that use bullish tactics to rip off tenants left, right and center!Attached Filesnbsp;
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Nov 18,2013
Nov 18,2013
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
DO NOT USE!!
They are now known as Sterling De Vere, but are the same terrible property management company. They are rude and aggressive and will not fix anything unless it has been reported about 10 times. We were left without a shower for over a ...
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Oct 22,2013
Oct 22,2013
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I was desperate to find a room in London within my budget and contacted one of their agents.
I was amazed at the speed in which they managed to show me 6 different rooms
In the same building on the same evening!
Thanks Anna for all ...
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Apr 09,2013
Apr 09,2013
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Basically in a nutshell the worst company in the world, never paid our bills, we had no power for two days. Would take them weeks even months sometimes to fix anything we asked them to fix. I am still currently waiting on my Bond payment ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Basically in a nutshell the worst company in the world, never paid our bills, we had no power for two days. Would take them weeks even months sometimes to fix anything we asked them to fix. I am still currently waiting on my Bond payment after we left the property in the same way we found it. Worst decision I have made since I had been in London moving into a De vere Property, I would highly suggest shopping elsewhere!!!!Attached Filesnbsp;
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Dec 02,2012
Dec 02,2012
14
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I moved to London in March from overseas and found this flat near Shadwell station at the beginning of April through spareroom.co.uk. The girl who was moving out had told me that I should give her my deposit for the room and that ...
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Kindly note that legally, letting agents need to publish information about their tenancy fees, government-approved redress schemes and client money protection schemes on their website and on third party websites (on which agents are listed). For properties to lease/rent in England, agents need to keep this information up to date and precise on allAgents or specify within the property description.
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