Or rather are this company being unreasonable...

[Flumpy2012]

I moved into my house 5 months ago. I'm a single mum and not working so I used savings to pay 6 months rent up front.
Firstly there was a deadline to get all the forms back and copies of proof of ID etc. this was all done via postage and online, nothing was filled out in an office. The deadline was 48 hours. I had a 24 and a 12 hour reminder by email. Informing me of the charges I would incur if it were not back to them.
In my t's & C's it detailed all their charges, including £50 if I wanted them to send a letter on to my landlord as they don't disclose her address.
On moving day I collected my keys from an empty office, not a company office just a sort of rent a space office. They were simply in an envelope on a desk with my name and no one was there so I took them.
I received my inventory 3 months after moving in and was then constantly pressurised to send it back an threatened that if I didn't within 48 hours it would be considered that I agreed to it.
I sent a photograph of the hearing panel which is obscured as the display has gone, they agreed from the photo it needed replacing so they sent out someone who said they were just about able to change the times by guessing some of the numbers so the call out was unnecessary and they threatened to fine my £50. Luckily after much protesting they didn't and agreed to get quotes to replace it. I am still waiting for that to happen 4 months on!
They informed me that after 4 months I would need to pay another lump sum up front which was fine but then after I had mentioned all of the above to them they suddenly told me the landlord was selling the house. I was gutted, I love my house but there was nothing I could do. The next time I spoke to them they said she was just having a break in Tenancies to do some work but now it's up for rent again straight away?! But they claim it's a landlords decision so I cannot stay. The house is immaculate and I can't see why they are doing this.
I suffer from anxiety and am having a bad patch and trying to get on too of things again so when they announce viewing and started I asked if I could have 2 weeks to get over feeling poorly and whilst I had support of family staying etc.
they continue to text with appointments so I emailed again. They called and explained they would respect the 2 weeks and were grateful that I said any time after that its fine so long as they just give me a call first.
They then requested to come on the Friday, I explained again about the 2 weeks so yet asked for the following Wednesday! I asked if they needed a drs note to excuse me and he said no it was just about respect and he was sure I would expect the same when it came to getting my deposit back!!!
Today they have emailed explaining that 2 weeks before I am due to vacate the property - ie. whilst attempting to pack with a small child they will be conducting an inspection between 8-5:30 and this is what they expect:Reception & Bedrooms – All rooms should have floors vacuumed/mopped, and fixtures and fittings should be free of dust and dirt.

Bathrooms & Cloakrooms – All rooms should have floors vacuumed/mopped as relevant, all fixtures, fittings and surfaces should be cleaned/bleached and free from dust, dirt and lime scale.

Kitchen & Utility Areas – All rooms should have floors vacuumed/mopped as relevant, all fixtures, fittings and surfaces should be cleaned/bleached and free from dust, dirt and lime scale. Ovens & appliances should be free from grease, with filters changed where appropriate.

Gardens – All lawns should be mowed, bushes should be trimmed, flower beds should be dug over and all areas should be free from weeds, leaves should be raked up and disposed of.

General – Interior and exterior windows should be free from dust and dirt.

If you have a dog at the property could you please make arrangements to either to be present or remove the dog on this day.
Please note that if Gatekeeper cannot gain access to the property for any reason then an aborted visit charge (£65.00) will apply.

If you've got this far please tell me if I'm wrong to make a stinking complaint.

Oh and if I want to speak to them by phone it's 10ppm!!!

Argh!!!!!

That sounds awful, I'm sure someone Will be along soon with better advice but firstly you are legally entitled to know your ll's address, I believe you might be able to get this from the land registry for a few quid. Secondly, you don't need to allow them access whatever they say, thirdly your deposit should be protected and if it's not the agent is acting illegally. I'd make contact with your landlord and see what they say. I wouldn't mind betting they've been told you decided to move out.....

Hello, thank you v much for your reply.
On all the forms signed it says that the landlords address is protecting and the agent acts on her behalf.
I totally agree about thinking the company just want rid of me so have told the landlord what they like. Although I was sent a notice to quit. I'm torn between writing a stinking article to a newspaper and complaining to the ombudsman. I think it's the pressure that I hate most! x

Hello, thank you v much for your reply.
On all the forms signed it says that the landlords address is protecting and the agent acts on her behalf.
I totally agree about thinking the company just want rid of me so have told the landlord what they like. Although I was sent a notice to quit. I'm torn between writing a stinking article to a newspaper and complaining to the ombudsman. I think it's the pressure that I hate most! x

Try giving Shelter a call - they have people who can advise on the legality of your tenancy, and I'm pretty sure they would take a dim view of anyone charging £50 to contact their landlord! It sounds like you need some professional advice on how to protect yourself from this shower as they sound like they're just trying to screw as much money out of you as possible.

I agree with DoJo, get onto Shelter. It is sometimes hard to get through, though, but keep trying, maybe at the end or beginning of the day to get answered quicker? Otherwise, Citizens Advice, free law centre if there is one by you?

The company sounds very unprofessional and they have treated you appallingly. Their 'charges' seem excessive and many of them seem to be simply made up! For instance £50 to pass on a letter to your landlord, WTF, by law they have to provide you with your landlord's address. I have heard if they don't it's a criminal offence.

And you do know you don't have to allow viewings, don't you? And why should you, as it is not you that wants to end the contract? Though they may get stroppy if you don't. so you would have to weigh that up. If you allow it, it should be at your convenience, maybe give them 1 or 2 times a week when viewings are allowed, and that's it.

Oh, and they have no right to expect you to have everything immaculate 2 weeks before you leave. How ridiculous!

Was it immaculate when you moved in?
Obviously, you will clean when you leave, or arrange help to do so. Unless it was dirty when you moved in. Why don't you write back and tell them to inspect after you have moved out?

I would suggest you post on landlordzone.co.uk , although (as you can tell by the name) it was set up for landlords, tenants do post on there and there are some very helpful people with good legal knowledge, who might help you draft a letter if you ask nicely.

Oh, God, this is riddled with illegality.

Not providing you with LL's address

No inventory (and very heavy tactics to get you to sign)

Harassment and unwillingness to grant you your right to "peaceful enjoyment"

How long did you sign your tenancy for? Was it six months or a year? If it was a year, it could be that you were not "served notice" legally.

Did you pay a deposit? Did you receive notice that it was "protected" in a special scheme? If so, when did you get that notice? If not, they are even worse scumbags than it first appeared, snd the law will give you compensation

Hello, thank you all for your replies. I signed for an initial 6 months and I think they have given me the right notice and paper copy of notice to quit.
I will contact shelter thank you.

No I'm not allowed any direct contact with the landlord as the agent acts on her behalf which is mad. I'm sure she's a very nice lady and this whole thing I just a huge mess due to the crap agent!!

Ladies stay away from gatekeeper!

And get this, their slogan is 'be impressed' what a joke!

You are supposed to have your LLs' name on tge contract, even if someone else is managing. Our last LLs were on a different continent, but we still had their address on the contract! Do mention this when you speak to Shelter, and especially charging you to make contact!