Letting Agent advice

[spongecake04]

I've let my flat through an agency for the past two years. Not had any real issues with them or the tenant. I sold the property through the same agent and the tenant moved out last week. Due to exchange contracts this week.

I went back to the flat yesterday as I needed to take out some stuff and it has been left a mess. Very dirty, make up and fake tan all over the carpet, mould problem in the shower, food in the oven! Also the tenant has left a lot of belongings behind.

I contacted the agent and they have already refunded the tenant deposit. I asked them for a copy of the check out report and inventory and they don't have it (I paid for this).

Obviously they thought they could save money by not getting it done and that I wouldn't know because I don't live nearby. I'm really worried because the buyer wants o do a pre-exchange visit this week and the condition is not good.

Has anyone experienced similar and what can I do legally?

The priority will be your sale so I'd get a cleaning company to clean and remove rubbish.

Get photographic evidence and receipt. Then any action against the Agenct can occur later. Don't risk losing a sale over it

Do be aware that there are specific rules to follow when disposing of a tenants belongings in these situations - you can't just chuck it all in a skip

Sorry, missed the bit about belongings - yes you need to do it properly.

you are an involuntary bailee for every last piece of muck left behind and you need to contact the tenant. you also need to be sure they have really left and not just gone on holiday.

rocket under the agent to protect yourself, sue the lazy bastards later. with the deposit gone you will get nothing from your skank of a tenant, but keep it professional because she stil has the power to make life difficult.