Letting agents slammed for renting out mouldy and damp homes and failing to tell tenants vital details
About 20 per cent of the properties visited had problems with damp
LETTING agents have been slammed for renting out mouldy homes to potential tenants and failing to provide them with important safety details during viewings.
Consumer group Which? sent undercover researchers to carry out 30 viewings across the UK to assess the conditions of the flats against how they looked on the listings.
It also provided the investigators with a list of questions to ask the letting agents in a bid to uncover whether they were following health and safety rules.
It found 20 per cent of the homes had issues with damp.
In one example, shots revealed a bathtub full of black mould around the tap - even tough it looked immaculate in the listing.
Another picture showed mould spots appearing in the top corner of one of the flats' living room ceiling.
Ever had to deal with a rogue letting agent? Or did you feel like your expectations didn't meet reality during your last flat viewing? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 78 24516.
One letting agent told a researcher who pointed out mould in the bathroom that it “could happen in any flat”.
He added that the landlord might not do anything about it unless they asked for it to be fixed in their contract.
In another shocking example, an agent told the investigator that he couldn't comment about a damp stain on the carpet because he didn’t have the “technical expertise” to work out whether it was a damp problem.
Know your rights as a tenant: find out what you should know before renting
THE number of people privately renting in the UK is at record highs. Here is what you need to know
- What is a tenancy agreement and what should I look out for?
The tenancy agreement is a contract between you and your landlord. Most tenancy agreements are an assured shorthold tenancy agreement for a fixed term - usually six to 12 months.
Make sure it include your details and those of your landlord as well as the duration of your tenancy from start to the agreed finish date.
It should also include what payments are expected, like council tax, utilities and service charges as well as the services your landlord will provide, such as maintenance of common areas to avoid.
Read of all of this carefully to avoid any unsuspected charges - Beware of rogue letting agents
You can now check for a rogue landlord or letting agent in London by using the .
You can use the checker to find landlords and letting agents that have been fined or convicted of a relevant housing offence. - How to avoid letting fees
Many renters are still facing ridiculously high letting fees almost two years after it was announced they would be banned.
The good news is that in recent years, a number of websites and online estate agents have sprung up that can help people connect with landlords directly. Read our guide here. - Ask about maintenance work and require repairs if neccessary:
Which? investigation revealed letting agents brushed off questions about maintenance, with many stating that work would be carried out before the tenant moved in, or would need to be dealt with by the landlord.
But property expert Kate Faulkner told Which? that tenants should avoid this type of verbal agreement.
Instead, required repairs should be made conditional as a special clause in the tenancy agreement.
Eight out of 30 viewings were also rated as "poor" for answers to questions on property maintenance and repairs.
None of the agents showing the properties were able to commit to fixing the problem, with little knowledge about what would be done about it.
The results also highlighted concerns over the standard of safety information with half of agents unable to provide any information on the property’s boiler.
Just one in three agents were rated ‘"good" for their knowledge of carbon monoxide alarms.
This means just 30 per cent were able to explain why the alarms were required, where they were in the property and if they had been tested.
Alex Neill, from Which?, said tenants need to "be given clear and accurate information" before moving in to a new place.
She added: "There are clearly real issues with letting agents showing prospective tenants properties that aren’t up to scratch.
What makes a good letting agent?
IF your letting agent fails to give you an answer to these questions, it's better to stay away or ask for another one.
- Having a copy of the EPC at the viewing, and being able to explain what the rating means.
- Being able to advise on the rules surrounding gas and electrical safety checks, and knowing that a gas safety certificate must be provided at the start of the tenancy.
- Knowing where smoke and CO2 alarms are and have a record of when they were last tested.
- Showing the property in its entirety and represent it fairly in advertisements.
- Providing detailed information of property management arrangements at viewings. Including details of the landlord if the property is self-managed.
- Being helpful, informative and happy to answer important questions about the property.
"It's unacceptable that all too often agents can’t answer basic questions about important issues like boiler safety and carbon monoxide alarms."
The Sun Online previously looked inside Britain's filthiest student houses, which are full of mouldy food, piles of washing up and clutter.
More about housing
We also talked with a mum of three who got trapped living in a mouldy, slug infested home with her kids for seven years.
Many renters are still facing ridiculously high letting fees almost two years after it was announced they would be banned.
The good news is that in recent years, a number of websites and online estate agents have sprung up that can help people connect with landlords directly. Check our guide here.
You can also compare online estate agents on the HomeOwners Alliance .
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