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Letting agents accused of failing tenants

Letting agents are being accused of failing tenants, after a small group of cowboy agents showed prospective tenants around mouldy properties and failed to inform them about safety details during viewings.

Undercover researchers from consumer group Which? carried out 30 viewings across the UK to assess the conditions of a sample of rental properties across England and Wales.

No fewer than six of the properties had damp, while another had a damp stain on the carpet but the agent claimed not to have the “technical expertise” to work out whether it was an issue with damp.

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Eight of the 30 viewing were rated as poor in terms of the answers provided by the agents on general property maintenance and repairs, along with their explanation of holding deposits.

Which? said it was concerned over the standards of safety information provided on the viewings, with half of the agents unable to provide any information on the property’s boiler, while most lacked knowledge of carbon monoxide alarms.

The consumer champion said fees for security deposits and administration were explained better, but warned these ranged from £20 to £400.

Alex Neill, managing director of home products and services for Which?, said: “There are clearly real issues with letting agents showing prospective tenants properties that aren’t up to scratch. It’s unacceptable that all too often agents can’t answer basic questions about important issues like boiler safety and carbon monoxide alarms.

​”Tenants need ​to be ​given clear and accurate information before moving in to a new place​ and agents must do more to deliver an acceptable level of service​.”

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

  • Kristjan Byfield

    Who were the agents? If they were so bad why not name & shame? How were these agents selected- did they target bad agents intentionally? Don't rate an entire industry of around 20k agents on the experience with 30. Grrrrrrrr.

  • icon

    agents, just like landlords and tenants, there are good and bad. and yes as above why not name and shame them?

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