I recently had a very disappointing experience with Prospect Estate Agency in Reading. From the beginning, their lack of professionalism was evident. The property was handed over in a deplorable condition despite their assurances that it had been professionally cleaned. The mattress was turned upside down to hide its filthy and unhygienic state, the carpets were dirty, and cobwebs were visible throughout the house. Despite raising these issues, Prospect offered only inadequate solutions, such as a small budget for a replacement mattress, leaving me to dispose of the old one myself.
Storage areas in the property were filled with the owner’s belongings, severely limiting available space. Additionally, the paintwork in the property was of such poor quality that it stuck to my hands, indicating cheap materials were used. Several other promised amenities were missing or misrepresented. The main issue, the washer was falsely advertised as a washer-dryer, and when confronted, Prospect denied any wrongdoing and offered no remedy.
Maintenance was another major failure. The property had a water leak in the bathroom, which has still not been resolved despite multiple contractors visiting the property. The agency suggested replacing the carpet but expected me to move all my furniture without any assistance. Communication regarding these issues was abysmal. Even after numerous attempts to resolve the problems, there was no accountability or effective response.
To add to my frustration, basic logistical necessities like mailbox keys and parking permits were either not provided or mishandled. I was given a faded visitor parking permit that was against PCN rules, forcing me to borrow one from someone else. Despite several requests, Prospect failed to help me obtain a valid permit, leaving me to sort it out on my own and at my expense and they reimbursing only partial amount.
Their staff exhibited unprofessionalism throughout the process. When I raised my concerns and requested an early termination of the tenancy due to these unresolved issues, Prospect responded with financial penalties, showing no intention to rectify their failures or meet their obligations.
Considering the rent I am paying for this one-bedroom apartment, the service provided by Prospect Estate Agency has been nothing short of appalling. I strongly advise against using their services and hope others do not have to go through a similar ordeal.
