AIBU to dislike letting agents

[ratatatatouille]

So I’m in a situation where I have to find a rental to move in a new area before school starts. I couldn’t secure a property until last week of August for reasons out of my control.

Agent 1. Booked viewing. Cancelled the morning of the viewing. I was told they’d received an offer, property is still being marketed as to let 10 days later.

Agent 2. Viewed property. I wanted to place a holding deposit. She actively put me off doing so, told me to wait until Tuesday. I then called to confirm about something else following the viewing, told the agent I wanted to proceed. She says she’ll email across the forms then, nothing.

Is this fairly typical of letting agents or are they put off letting to me because a) I’m a single parent and b) I’m an ethnic minority? I’ve viewed three other properties which apparently have had offers prior. I just do not get it.

If you feel that they are discriminating against you because of your ethnicity or family situation then please make an official complaint or report them if you feel that it’s appropriate. I’m not sure how you would need go about it but contact CAB for advice. It seems a bit suspect for the property to still be online as I’ve always known them to be removed the minute they’re snapped up. I imagine it’d be more work telling people it’s no longer available when they ring/email. I’ve had agents take a whole week to even respond to a viewing request. Massive red flag and I didn’t deal with them after that!

I despise my letting agents. The house is absolutely abismal and legally inhabitable. I’ve had to move my young daughter to my mums temporarily as it isn’t safe. Meanwhile they’re swanning about with their ‘Agents of the Year’ award

If you suspect you are being discriminated against could you send a friend round to do a viewing after you and see if they are accepted ?

Funny thing is I’m a landlord myself, I refuse to use agents for the sole reason that I don’t trust them. I’ve heard too many horror stories from other landlords. My bro suggests being brazen and calling them out. I’m not too sure that will get me anywhere if I then get blacklisted by 3 agents. Sending a friend round doesn’t help me secure the property. I’m running out of time which is probably making me come across as overly keen which isn’t very helpful. Surely I cannot be the only person who’s come across this? I’m just totally stumped.