Britain’s broken rental deposit scheme is causing misery for thousands, we reveal in new research today. Our guest author, who wishes to remain anonymous, shares their experience…
My renting experience: ‘It was an unmitigated horror story’
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Is the private rental sector working for consumers?
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Private rented accommodation is no longer a transitional stepping off point – it’s become an inescapable destination for many households in England. Is the sector working well enough?
Have you had issues with letting agents?
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Our investigation has uncovered rental properties in poor condition, vital safety information being missed on top of financial stresses. Have you experienced similar issues with a rental property?
Has your landlord held you to ransom with your holding deposit?
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Some letting agents and landlords are using holding deposits against potential tenants to secure higher rents. So how can you push back? Our guest, Sam Beswick, successfully claimed for a breach of contract… (more on holding deposits…)
in Home & Energy, Money
Will shoddy letting agents be stopped by these new government plans?
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The government has announced plans to bring about greater regulation of letting and managing agents, but we still have a way to go on detail. Have you had problems with a letting agent?
How can we fix the broken housing complaints system?
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On 18 February, the government launched an eight-week consultation aiming to shape a better complaints system for housing issues. Here, our guest, Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, outlines the government’s plans… (more on housing complaints system…)
Are you struggling to get your landlord to fix your home?
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This time of year should be all about cosying up at home. But if you’ve got problems with your rented property, and your landlord or letting agent is refusing to make repairs, home could be the last place you want to be. (more on rental problems…)
What happens when a holding deposit doesn’t hold up?
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A holding deposit has one job; to hold a rental property. But as Adam French, Senior Content Producer here at Which?, found out, it can be extremely frustrating when they don’t hold up their part of the bargain.
in Money
Have you made extra cash from your home or unwanted belongings?
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While your home may well be your castle, have you ever considered that it could also make you money? (more on making money out of your home…
in Home & Energy, Money
Being a landlord can feel like a constant battle
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Having just won a legal case against West Brom Mortgage Company, landlord Emma Hughes explains how the buy-to-let property market isn’t all roses.
(more about landlords…)
Rental scams: a tale too good to be true
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Could the flatshare or rental advertisement you’re looking at be a scam? How can you tell?
in Home & Energy, Money, Parenting
Have you struggled to get your tenancy deposit back?
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According to new research, one in five rental tenants expect never to see their deposit again after handing it over. Why is this?
in Home & Energy, Money
Why are letting agent fees so high?
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Moving house can be expensive. And for those of us who rent, one of the most significant and annoying costs can be the fees charged by letting agents. It’s even more annoying when it’s hard to find what these are.
You’d share your drills, but would you share your house?
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Last week Debbie Wosskow brought the emerging trend of the ‘Sharing Economy’ to Which? Convo. While most of you were up for the idea, you weren’t quite so keen on sharing your big ticket items.