Hello,
I am trying to rent a property through openrent. I already paid the holding deposit. Only now the landlord disclosed some informations that make renting the property problematic for me:
The property is on sale so it is probable that I’ll have to move when it is sold.
The council tax band was not disclosed in the ad, and is quite high (council tax will be 1/5 of he rent amount).
During the property visit I was told that the landlord could provide a washing machine but now I am told that it is not possible anymore.
If we can’t find a solution with he landlord I want to pull out from the tenancy and get back my holding deposit, as she withheld important information.
Is it possible?
1stly let me say I am.not a landlord
Do you have any proof that the house is up for sale (it may be worth securing some)
Some MAY say that it is your responsibility to find out how much the council tax is before agreeing a move
Is providibg a washing machine a deal breaker as surely other places you couldve rented wouldnt include 1
Get as much as you can in writing and find anytjing you have from before stating that she would provide
Hi Gary,
thank you for your help.
I have “proof” that the property is on the market because the landlord told me, in writing but after accepting the hoding deposit. Same for the council tax band, in this case I had to ask it directly as it wasn’t in the ad as it should be.
The washing machineis a delabreaker added up with the “beeing on the market” situation, as we would probably have to move in 6 months and that will be a burden. We were told in person that a washing machine would have been provided (no in writing as it was a phone call), based on this information I placed the deposit. Whitout that I would have applied for different properties on the market that come with a washing machine.
I’m not sure the property being on the market for sale is a justified ‘pull out reason’. Whilst I understand why this might not suit you if you are looking for a longer term rental, if the property was advertised for a 6 month rental term, and it is still available for a 6m term, then the Landlord hasn’t changed anything.
Re the washing machine, It sounds like this disagreement will be difficult to prove if this was a verbal arrangement. If the ad doesn’t say a w/m is included, or one isn’t pictured in the ad photos, then I suspect you would not win this argument. I would add that given the relatively cheap price of a w/m, I’m surprised you would consider pulling out of a rental that you were otherwise keen on, just because you have to buy one yourselves.
I don’t know re the council tax band. I know this is suppose to be included in the ad. What did the ad say? If it was missing, as this is public information available easily online, I do not know if Openrent would deem this sufficient reason to pull-out. You might though, have grounds to complain to trading standards?
Hi Karl,
the ad mentioned “6 months minumum rent”, there were no indications on a maximum term related to selling, or other causes. Still is ok but is something should be disclosed before not after the deposit.
Regarding the washing machine, yes it will be difficult to prove as I did not record the conversation. Trust people is hardly the best and safe option I fear.
The council tax band was completely omitted in the ad. Is the council tax band of a property easily available online? Without knowing the exact postcode, where? I can find how much is the council tax for “Band A/B/C/…” in a certain city, but not what is the band of a specific property. If there is a way and I missed it please tell me because could be very useful in the future.
Hi Karl,
yes in that case is true. But usually, or at least in my case, the tenand doesn’t have the complete adress and postcode while applying, only the first half of the postcode.
@Dario1 From the replies that you are getting it sounds as though you cannot pull out now but i must say i find it completely unreasonable! Have you spoken to the landlord to ask for your holding deposit back as you were looking for a long term rental and you require a washing machine? The council tax not being advertised shouldn’t be a problem as you would have known that you have to pay council tax and you can find the rates out online.
Hi Nadia,
yes I spoke with the landlord giving possible options to find an acceptable agreement. Tha last one was give me back the deposint and everyone goes for his route, She gave me back the deposit in full.