bullsh*t letting agents
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- liveforever
ive just agreed to rent a flat without seeing it and paid my desposit and letting agents aren't refunding it ?
basically i saw a flat last night an really liked it............... next thing u know its fuckin gone so they tell me theres another one the same but 1 floor up only without a balcony and abit of the kitchen not there. So i was perfectly happy with this as long as everything else was the same. Infact i even said several times is it EXACTLY the same other than those minor things. "Yes" the guy says.
so paid £750 desposit for it which has gone straight out my account and what would u know the apartment isnt exactly the same.
Sounds stupid but the windows aren't full length infact they are a 3rd of the size, which makes the flat look alot smaller and crostraphobic. Obviously i want my money back cos i feel like i was mis-informed and therefore paid for something that was mis-represented. But they are refusing to refund stating that i should have specifically requested the windows and that they told me the deposit was non-refundable. WTF i asked if it was "Exactly" the same several times and it isnt.
Anyways gota talk to director in abit so can anyone give any advice pleeeeeeaaaassssseee
- ESKEMA0
go in there and trash the place
- detritus0
Sorry, but next time - view the sodding flat before you pay them £750.
- I mean, Christ - you trusted an estate agent? wtf is wrong with you, man?detritus
- i kno - but seen that many just wantd it over with and thought he'd was genuineliveforever
- Sorry, my reaction's probably the last thing you want to hear. Which Agency was it?detritus
- only a low key oneliveforever
- Iggyboo0
I learned this mistake too. I lost a smaller deposit much smaller. But the best thing you can do is take someone who knows the realestate industry out for a drink to get some tips on renting before signing anything or forking over money.
- mimeartist0
i've had shit like that... like paying for the washing machine to be fixed and then not getting the money... all landlords and estate agents are shitehawks.. and i look forward to a good half of them losing their jobs... scumbags!
- liveforever0
anyone got any advice what to say to this director cos the conversation with the agent went nowhere and he was trying to cause an argument but i wasnt rising to it.
- ian0
I've got to side with detritus here, for £750 I'd have wanted to see the place. Letting agents/estate agents/sales people in general have been know to bend the truth from time to time to make sales, you should've checked it out to make sure.
- so will i lose this then ?liveforever
- Well sounds like you have a good case but I wouldn't be expecting that cash any time soon.ian
- Gordy220
Come on, name and shame.
- liveforever0
Edenvale
- Spookytim0
I too concur with Mr Tritus. You were a bit barking to pay a deposit site unseen and never, ever, assume trust in a financial transaction with anyone even if you've dealt with them once before.
I don't think that your situation is impossible, but if they are shifty sorts you will have to fight tooth and nail to get your money back.
Did you sign any paperwork?
If so, was it a tenancy agrement?
Did you get a receipt?
If so, Is the receipt a simple till style receipt or does it itemise the purpose of the transaction?
- no paperwork
or agreement
only proof of purchase is bank statementliveforever
- no paperwork
- liveforever0
i know a verbal contract is legally binding but is that contract still void if the product has been mis-represented.
think i'm just going to say my piece and ask for money and if they say no i'll say that i will leave this here and gaining professional advice
sound good ?
- joyride0
you can either cancel the check, or call the CC company and issue a chargeback, as long as it's been a relatively short amount of time. let visa deal with their bank
- tried bank but it was thru switch cos is immediate transaction. in other words too lateliveforever
- Spookytim0
Thing is, if they are reasonable people they will give it back, if they are not reasonable people they wont... so for me this would require a very simple two-step attitude. I would ask for my money back calmly and if that didn't happen fairly quickly I would immediatly resort to going immediately down a much more serious course of action.
In other words don't sit there trying to reason with them for too long as they will know they have you on the back foot. Do you have a family solicitor? It could be worth talking to them.
- good advice.
no solicitor but hoping this doesnt turn into a legal matter otherwise i will lose moneyliveforever - Well, without one you stand to lose it all so it might be worth a punt?jamble
- good advice.
- hiatus0
what ever you do, do it listening to some WU TANG and drunk and dont forget some throwing star for backup.
I would slice his "windpipe" slow...
(sorry listening to WU right now) :/
- Khurram0
Bro... verbal contract DOES NOT MEAN SHIT.
They are not in anyway shape of form binding. Do not be taken in by TV.
As far as i can see, they don't have a leg to stand on. No agreements were made, and nothign was signed.
They have no case.
Here's the deal - your estate agent is probably workingon 100% commission. Which means, he only makes money if he sells anything. He will lie, cut, cheat, steal, ANYTHING to earn some money.
So basically, you write a letter threatening them court action if the do not return your deposit within 28 days.
You site the law saying they MISREPRESENTED the flat they sold. Do NOT mention your discussion. Simple case - i was told an IDENTICAL flat would be made available to me, which it was not.
After 28 days, you go to a lawyer, who for £20 will write the self same letter, as well as threatening to extract all legal cost.
80% chances you will be refunded after your first letter.
Anyway - by refusing to refund your deposit, they are acting illegally. Trust me.
- Khurram0
and yes, if they lose the case (which they will) they are liable for ALL costs, as well as any damages your blood-sucking lawyers can extract.
- liveforever0
but didnt i agree to the conditions by making the payment even tho they told me it was non-refundable ?
- Khurram0
no you didn't. You made agreements to buy a DIFFERENT flat. The agent slyly passed off this flat to you by not being forthcoming. Even then - *he has acted illegally by taking money from your acount without you signing ANY form of agreement*
It is illegal for an estate agent to take your deposit without you signing a contract/tenancy agreement first. They have overreached themselves
I advise you to phone the Citizen's Advice Bureau and Consumer Direct
And DO NOT be afraid to take legal action. It is your right and the law is designed to protect ALL OF US from shit like this. Even the little man...
- cheers mate
will get on it. Cheeky fuckin dirctor still hasnt contacted meliveforever
- cheers mate
- detritus0
All hail Khurram!
*hails*
*hails*
*hails*
- moth0
Citizen's Advice Bureau will make a small claims for you.
You don't even have to go to court!
- hiatus0
as a former Realtor
no signed contract, no deal! its like it never happened. *sort of
Khurram win, no contest!!!tar and feather the agent/or his car. I fucking hate snakes!