Lettings agents in Sheffield are terrible!

We have been let down by so many lettings agents in Sheffield I'm seriously considering moving out of Sheffield just so I can find a decent home for my family. Housing stock in Sheffield is that bad, when a good property comes available its a fight to get to view it, let alone apply.

So far we have seen properties that had photos from the time of the previous tenants to the current tenets where everything was different and in my opinion, less quality. The range cooker had been removed and a standard cooker installed leaving the gaps etc.

We saw a really nice property but when we called to ask about filling the application we were told there was so much interest they were asking prospective tenants how much they are prepared to pay above the advertised price!

Lately a nice looking property sparked our interest and on speaking with the agent I was told it was not first come first served. I arranged for us to view the house the following week, taking the day off work, but in the morning of the viewing the agent called to cancel the viewing as someone had put in an application!

On viewing one vert dirty house we asked if it was due to be cleaned before the next tenants would be moving in. Noting the pile of dead flies in the bath and part of the ceiling tiles having fell down or hanging off. The answer was no, this is how it comes!

These are just some of our experiences but I'm shocked at how nasty some houses are and how people are not embarrassed to be offering these homes. I have seen a house with a kitchen less modernised than the one in the Western Park museum!

Does anyone know of any good lettings agents who it is worth while speaking with to see what properties they may have?

We have been let down by so many lettings agents in Sheffield I'm seriously considering moving out of Sheffield just so I can find a decent home for my family. Housing stock in Sheffield is that bad, when a good property comes available its a fight to get to view it, let alone apply.

 

So far we have seen properties that had photos from the time of the previous tenants to the current tenets where everything was different and in my opinion, less quality. The range cooker had been removed and a standard cooker installed leaving the gaps etc.

 

We saw a really nice property but when we called to ask about filling the application we were told there was so much interest they were asking prospective tenants how much they are prepared to pay above the advertised price!

 

Lately a nice looking property sparked our interest and on speaking with the agent I was told it was not first come first served. I arranged for us to view the house the following week, taking the day off work, but in the morning of the viewing the agent called to cancel the viewing as someone had put in an application!

 

On viewing one vert dirty house we asked if it was due to be cleaned before the next tenants would be moving in. Noting the pile of dead flies in the bath and part of the ceiling tiles having fell down or hanging off. The answer was no, this is how it comes!

 

These are just some of our experiences but I'm shocked at how nasty some houses are and how people are not embarrassed to be offering these homes. I have seen a house with a kitchen less modernised than the one in the Western Park museum!

 

Does anyone know of any good lettings agents who it is worth while speaking with to see what properties they may have?

Good and lettingagents are not two phrases I would use in same sentence!

Try the local ones like whitehornes. Better service & value for money maybe.

---------- Post added 26-05-2016 at 12:46 ----------

 

We saw a really nice property but when we called to ask about filling the application we were told there was so much interest they were asking prospective tenants how much they are prepared to pay above the advertised price!

 

Shocking. :rant:

Try the local ones like whitehornes. Better service & value for money maybe.

I'll give them a go, thanks.

Shocking. :rant:

I know, this one really took the biscuit!

Yes they are, but as they are part of the estate agent fraternity, what did you expect?

I let 2 houses only used a letting agent for the first 6 months and they were rubbish and that was someone I knew!

Out of interest what part of Sheffield are you looking to rent in? and are you looking long or short term?

Yes they are, but as they are part of the estate agent fraternity, what did you expect?

I let 2 houses only used a letting agent for the first 6 months and they were rubbish and that was someone I knew!

Out of interest what part of Sheffield are you looking to rent in? and are you looking long or short term?

We're looking predominantly in the S10 area and its long term. We have been living in our current house for 8+ years.

S10 out of my league, probably looking at £200k for a 3 bed house round there, so a BTL deposit would be 40K and a sizeable mortgage to pay off. Being a landlord though (and I have long term tenants) i would be interested in someone with 8 years history in the same property. Don't suppose you get to speak to landlord though only the agents, and they will get a fee everytime they re-let.

Hi 247 Property Services in Crookes opposite St Lukes charity shop aren't to bad. They are local and personal finding the right tenant for the property. It all depends on your circumstances and what they have on their books. Try giving them a call on 07486 391331 and see if they can meet your requirements.

You could try the Landlord Letting Agency. here is some info from their website

Mobile: 07804229421 or 07804229402

Email: [email protected]

Landlord Letting network is a Sheffield based Letting Agency with a difference - in addition to letting properties to working tenants we are specialists in supporting landlords letting properties to tenants who are claiming welfare benefits.

The sad thing is, they are rubbish everywhere, I am sure there are some decent ones somewhere, but when I looked to rent a bolthole closer to work I was not amused when I got told it was local custom with all letting agents to ask for a flat fee to register 250£, to ask for a non-refundable payment of one month rent and a refundable deposit of another month.

I checked the other agents in the area and it was true! Told them that was cartel-forming and very illegal and they simply laughed and told me to complain.

We have been let down by so many lettings agents in Sheffield I'm seriously considering moving out of Sheffield just so I can find a decent home for my family. Housing stock in Sheffield is that bad, when a good property comes available its a fight to get to view it, let alone apply.

 

So far we have seen properties that had photos from the time of the previous tenants to the current tenets where everything was different and in my opinion, less quality. The range cooker had been removed and a standard cooker installed leaving the gaps etc.

 

We saw a really nice property but when we called to ask about filling the application we were told there was so much interest they were asking prospective tenants how much they are prepared to pay above the advertised price!

 

Lately a nice looking property sparked our interest and on speaking with the agent I was told it was not first come first served. I arranged for us to view the house the following week, taking the day off work, but in the morning of the viewing the agent called to cancel the viewing as someone had put in an application!

 

On viewing one vert dirty house we asked if it was due to be cleaned before the next tenants would be moving in. Noting the pile of dead flies in the bath and part of the ceiling tiles having fell down or hanging off. The answer was no, this is how it comes!

 

These are just some of our experiences but I'm shocked at how nasty some houses are and how people are not embarrassed to be offering these homes. I have seen a house with a kitchen less modernised than the one in the Western Park museum!

 

Does anyone know of any good lettings agents who it is worth while speaking with to see what properties they may have?

There is limited housing stock available for rent and the situation is only going to get worse as the new tax rules will put many potential landlords off.

We were looking in Rotherham but we only wanted to live in the catchment area of Wickersley school as we wanted my children to go there. We expected to pay a premium for these postcodes but it was ridiculous we managed to secure a property through luck rather than anything else but at the time it was the only detached property available is S66 for rent. We've bought somewhere now and to be honest I am relieved as I genuinely fear that renting will become more and more difficult.

But yes you are right the letting agents don't help a particular issue I had was with Blundells who wanted to charge us a £149 admin fee every six months to draw up another AST contract. I told em to stuff and went direct to the landlady to ask if we could do a rolling contract.

Don't you find this sort of thing with so many businesses these days? No integrity any more, just rip off the punters and make a fast profit.

This is where Sheffield Forum should be used more. Local forum for local landlords and tenants. Boycott the highwaymen and use this and gumtree.