In Sept 2022 we took a 12 month tenancy for a 3 bed semi in Beaufort Drive, Kittle at a monthly rental of £1200 which we paid 6 months up front for. Within the first month we must have reported over 5 issues ranging from leaking radiator, broken oven to blocked drains, damp and very very drafty windows, (which made the energy bills very high as heat was just going out of the windows). By December there was also lots of mould growing in the dining room, back bedroom and hall. I documented and photographed everything and after a meeting with Dan the manager it was agreed that we could terminate the tenancy after 6 months because of all the issues. He couldn't really disagree given Astley's had broken their own Terms of Business plus the obligation by the landlord regarding repairs under section 11 of the Landlord & Tenancy Act 1985 had not been met either. The EPC is recorded as a D rating but that was done in 2019 and I am sure if one was carried out now it wouldn't meet the criteria of a minimum of E as it should be to rent in Wales. I am also sure that the mould was present before we took the tenancy and just cleaned off for viewings, but not dealt with properly. I left the house immaculate, better than when I moved in, but I insisted that I would not clean any mould off so it can be dealt with properly before being rented out again. Our tenancy ended on March 4th 2023. However, having looked on Astley's website today (10.3.23) I can see that they have advertised this property again (with old pictures) and I can guarantee that all they would have done is wipe off the mould ready for viewings despite the fact that in many of my emails I mentioned that the issues definitely need addressing before it is fit for purpose. Even the maintenance guy said the windows are so old and blown that they need replacing. Plus all the gutters are blocked with grass growing out of them and the garage leaks constantly so not fit to store anything in and the fridge/freezer that supposedly comes with the property does not work properly (we left it in the garage). The landlord inherited this house and has not spent much on it to get it fit to rent out and the rental is pure profit in her pocket. The only nice thing about it is it's in a nice area, if you like quiet, and close to the sea, the house itself is awful and shame on Astley's for even considering renting it when they know it's not fit for purpose or the rental being charged. I did update the inventory list completely because the one I was given was really old. As mentioned, I have all the photographic proof should anyone want it.

Attached Files