AIBU to sue a letting agent for not showing up with keys on moving in day?

[Margerine78]

...This is more a question of could I sue (hypothetically)?

I am moving in a few days, the letting agent has been incredibly uncommunicative and flakey ... They didn't know who I was when I showed up to view, tried to show me wrong flat, sent me tenants fees which are illegal, hasn't got back to me about sorting any pre-move issues that they promised would be sorted pre-move. (This is just a handful of issues).

For the last week, I've been trying to establish if they will meet me on the moving in day at the new house, I have no idea how it works in lockdown and so far radio silence from them.

I like to be an optimist but I have visions of showing up and the agent has totally forgotten and I'm left outside unable to get into new property during lockdown. Hypothetically, if an agent f**ked up on that massive a scale, I could sue right?

If you are moving to be near family then can family members help out by collecting keys, liaising with the agent etc.

I am sure it will work out, you just need to get through it step by step. Step one being to get the agreement and signing it!

this agent has been so flakey she's led me to have crazy paranoid thoughts about the move

OP I don't think you're being anywhere near paranoid enough. Please tell us you haven't sent the agent any money yet?? We are due to collect the key on a rental next Friday; we have the removals booked for the following Tuesday, and signed the tenancy agreement yesterday. We haven't paid a deposit yet.

I think something is very wrong with "your" flat.

You may well have agent who is unwell.
And no one who appears to take over, all kinds of possibles.
I use a self employed agent myself for a house, she does seem very good, never met either tenant tho, far cheaper than estate agent.
Sorts everything

@Margerine78 it’s very likely this is a scam and you have not rented a flat at all.

@Margerine78 how did you find the glat in the first place?

Flat not glat !

Most contracts are done by e-mail now.

With the lockdown, previously reliable agencies have become a nightmare to deal with in my business.
I would look for a website from the agent and see if there are any other contact details that you can see. Then I would bombard them with messages, send one e-mail tonight asking for the contract.
Call them five times tomorrow saying you are confused about not receiving the contract. On the final call say they have not responded and you would like a refund for your deposit as you have decided to walk away from the flat.
Perhaps your parents could pick up the key?

Errr - you've paid money and not signed a contract? And now they've disappeared????

This is a v common scam in London!

Good grief, leave the poor op alone, she’s just venting and having a panic.

From what she's written I think she has good reason to panic this doesn't sound like she's actually secured the property.

On notes dies seem like a scam, legally d’espoirs are protected by law

If you could demonstrate a financial loss e.g. being forced into a hotel for the night and storage costs for your stuff, you might be able to recoup the loss providing it was necessary and you didn't go nuts - travelodge rather than the penthouse suite at the Dorchester. But you'd only get back what it cost, nothing for the inconvenience. Or the time preparing the case and evidence etc.

Better to just focus on getting the keys on time, working with them rather than going in all guns blazing.

This sounds very, very fishy! Its probably a scam. I hope you havent paid them anything yet??

Any update op?

OP did you reach the agent?

You’re being very stupid. Why would you pay before signing the agreement? It could say that your rent increases 50% each year! Give them 24 hours to give you the agreement or return the money.

This has scam written all over it!

You're mad if you rely on this and turn up with all your belongings.

Have you checked out their name online?? Put in name + scam, name plus con, name plus deposit... And see what comes up?

Also I'd ask on local FB group... Does anyone know Scarper agent operating locally? Please PM.

Think of it... It's worth it if it saves you loads of wasted money and time. It may be kosher.. Likely not.

Insist on a proper signed assured shorthold agreement... That is SIGNED at their OFFICE.

Insist on the keys... That you've CHECKED in the lock of the flat you're supposedly moving to... If someone is there... Knock on the door and ask to check it.

I've rented in and off for 30 years... I've heard LOADS of these scams. I have never not had a signed agreement in advance of moving in.

Good luck!

PS if your family live nearby, can you get them to go and scope it out for you??

If you don't want to travel... Although I would. Ask a trusted person to pick up the key several days in advance and get them to check it AT THE FLAT.

Scammers prey in people who don't check, and these scum rely in people's desperation for housing

PPS thinking of suing them is way down the line... Your maximum loss probably isn't massive and would cost a good part of it...AND you actually have to find the person to sue them (lawyers please correct if I'm wrong?)

The best thing is to AVOID the scam in the first place.

I've just moved this week and I collected the keys from the property, it was straight after the check in. We wore masks and he met us outside the property. Or we could have picked them up from the office socially distancing.

The process you have followed is normal for some agents. I had a dire experience with a rental years ago, I complained to head office and got some of the charges refunded (they used to charge them then and were extortionate).

I wouldn't touch this flat with a barge pole to be honest. If the agent is this flakey when they're trying to attract a tenant, what will they be like if something breaks in the flat and needs sorting out?

It's a good thing you came on MN to rant! If it's a scam, and that seems likely, you have time to check out the situation, cancel the movers and stop this getting worse.
Get onto your bank asap to find out if you can get the transfer back (charge back?). Not sure if that's possible, but worth a try.

How are you getting on OP?

If they are this bad about getting you into the property (ie securing your money) imagine how bad they will be when something goes wrong at the property?

A woeful landlord can make your life hell. I speak from experience. I wouldn't entertain the idea of going with this agency. Email telling them you are not interested, and find another property ASAP.