“We rented this semi-detached 3 bedroom property via Hydegate Estate Agency. ......”
2 Star Review
Jun 19,2014
By:
'Daniel'
Jun 19,2014
Branch: Amersham, 77 Sycamore Road
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1000
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: HP15
Branch: Amersham, 77 Sycamore Road
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1000
Postcode: HP15
5
people found
this helpful
We rented this semi-detached 3 bedroom property via Hydegate Estate Agency. The property was old and in need of updating (e. g. old not properly closing single glazing in most rooms, some mould and in need of new painting). House was in need of further cleaning at check in and painter finished work whilst we moved in (leading to breathing issues as whole house stunk of new toxic paint! Check in clerk only showed half of the property, not included loft (that was full of old bags and clothing, and Garage). To us as new customers the agency was initially friendly. During the duration of the tenancy regular 6 monthly checks were done (which was a first). All the time the agency recommended and emailed us feedbacks, saying we were great tenants and were looking after the property very well which we did! (This seems also the reason why asking has increased by approx. 23% to £1200 from originally £970! in 16 months! Also check contract very carefully the agency increases rent annually in line with the 'all items consumer price index' by approx. £30-40 a month!
Unfortunately, when moving out, agency changed attitude. Check out clerk was extremely rude and unprofessional which Hydegate to our knowledge did not care about or investigate properly - hence will need to take further steps ourselves.
When moving out the property was cleaned by us / cleaners we paid to an very high standard (we like to make it nice for next tenant) and despite us also having purchased an variety of items (such as new blinds (old ones were mouldy and disgusting), materials to repair broken fence panels following winter storms etc. the agency demanded additional money from our deposit and did not acknowledge that we left house in a much better and cleaner state as when we moved in, even despite photo evidence!
Also recommended work / repairs that were identified by Hydegate during inspections were hardly ever carried out in a timely manner or remained outstanding. g. fixing windows - cold drafts that come through huge gaps in windows and front door, replacing rotten locks that had fallen apart etc. there seems to be a communication and management issue within Hydegate e. g. what person A promised, person B was unaware and we needed to call them and reminded them in their own interests or to arrange with third parties times ourselves etc.
It was also notable that when moving out we had to call and contact them regularly, there is hardly any communication from Hydegate Estate when you move out, obviously as a tenant who leaves - you will not bring new money in, hence they lose quickly interest and don't seem to care about positives reviews and customer care, despite the months you have paid them part of their wages....
Looking back, I CANNOT Recommend this Estate Agency due to poor customer / tenant service.
What agent could do to change your mind?
Quick release and refund of full deposit, not trying to make additional money in an unethical and unorthodox manner, e. g. asking for additional day rent despite check out was early morning, asking for additional cleaning fees despite the much better and cleaner presentation as when moving in!
Not increasing rent to an additional ‚£30-40 per month on basis of all consumer price index, no one receives increase in wages in that way!
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