Dexters Estate Agents
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Awful service when moving into a 3 bedroom rental (£2,500pm)
Was looking for a 3 bedroom to rent for myself and my children. Relationship started well, the Tooting Broadway branch were friendly and helpful enough and I found a suitable property. And I will make a point that the sales team were very helpful, friendly and supportive. However... First Red flag - very pushy, overly so. I was expected to pay for a 6 week deposit without ever seeing a contract! Then 'threats' that if I didn't pay, the landlord would continue taking viewings and offers (despite me paying a holding deposit). Tips for next time - ask what the end-to-end process is and when different payments are due, when a draft contract will be shared and when an inventory report can be expected. It's stressful enough having to move, but compounded with pressure of being asked to pay deposits (within 48 hours!) adds to it. Then after I asked for a contract, a draft was produced - Dexters were not proactive in providing (I wonder why). A contract should have been provided before i paid the deposit. Then we commenced contract negotiations. There were many items I wished to negotiate on. Dexters and the Landlord couldn't move on anything. They were unhelpful, unsupportive and clearly looking after the interests of the landlord. I had to take legal advice from a AST solicitor. I was told that the contract was unbalanced (towards the landlord) and 'sloppy' as contained irrelevant points and clauses. I was under pressure to proceed with this property as time was against me and my children required confidence in where they were going to live. When I moved in, the house was filthy. Had not been cleaned at all, and by the looks of it, the previous tenants did not clean the property. Thick grime on kitchen surfaces, soil and rubbish left. I had to ask for the inventory report and started documenting items myself before it was sent. Confidence further reduced. Perhaps Dexters knew about the condition of the property... If I'd have known how bad it was, I would have had the property fully cleaned (myself if I have to) before I moved in, rather than trying to clean after I've moved in around boxes and dismantled furniture. When I asked the landlord (politely pointing out that he can take the cleaning costs from the previous tenants deposit, as the contract states 'professional cleaning') if he'd contribute to cleaning - he told me to leave it as I found it and he was aware of the condition. Perhaps the landlord (Mr G) has a very low standard of cleanliness or perhaps holds any tenants in such low regard. Found maintenance issues with the property related to plumbing and hot water - basics! It seems to me that Dexters Tooting know about the condition of this property and have told me they will continue to do business with the landlord. My previous agents were John D Wood (Wandsworth Common) - super helpful, professional with a fantastic landlord. Before that an agent in Fulham who were just as professional and proactive. I will never move into a rented property marketed by Dexters Tooting. And quite frankly, I wouldn't want any of my hard earned income to fund their business if/when I'm in a position to buy another property in the area. And if I decide to work with any others Dexters', I will ask for an inventory report before I move in and confirmation that everything in the property is functional before I pay a deposit and sign a contract. It's easy for the Agents to say the cleanliness and maintenance issues are with the landlord and it's nothing to do with them. But is that the type of agent you really want to be working with when housing your family? Good luck.