where has my post gone?

therealcleo · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 1527

I made a post about a useless waste of time going by the email address sapphire36@btinternet.com for the benefit of other gumtree users, without any racist/sexist or otherwise offensive comments, and it's disappeared.

Where's it gone?

Paula Greene · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 3

what's your problem exactly - any beef you can email me directly not try and show us up on this site - I am not surprised that the gum tree did not put on your post...

Vibrance · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:28 pm Post subject:

oh now i am interested....whats happened therealcleo?

Paula Greene · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 3

I can tell you what happened - but I don't think its really worth wasting your time...

therealcleo · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 1527

purely to prove my point, I got my friend to email and enquire about a flat advertised on here just this morning, and surprise surprise, the only thing left is something much more expensive.

I'm not convinced that you are actually letting properties to the description you're advertising on here.

What's the name of your company, by the way? Do you have a premises anywhere? Or a website? That way we can see what you do actually have to let.

Paula Greene · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 3

If you can kindly call me as I do not do wish to continue this conversation on the internet, that would be most appreciated.

We try our best to help people but you seem to have a malicious vendetta against ourselves and we cannot see a reason for it. Properties do go quickly, and we always try and help people.

We have not been insulting or rude to you, therefore why are you trying to embarrass us on this site? We have brought this to the attention of the 'gum tree', as your commets are uneccessary.

Please call me, and we can discuss this over the phone, rather than hiding behind the internet forums.

Thank you.

Charlie64 · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 31

Having never posted before, I felt compelled to come to therealtheo's defence regarding this "agency". Of course, they are far from alone in making (repeated) fake representations.
But, therealtheo is absolutely right to warn others.
They have actually been advertising the same few flat/studios for at least 2 years - they simply re-post the exact same ad (with exact same wording).
The flat/studio advertised will be offered at a reasonable price for something apparently reasonable.
However. If you reply, the advertised property will be "gone" and there will be something else, not only more expensive, but much less desirable -either area, type of property, or both.

There is too much of this going on - and it is right to warn people.
Of course, this poster is far from the worst. They are simply mis-advertising.
Far worst - and actually illegal - are "agencies" such as Flatland, who try to persuade you it is legal to pay a fee before actually finding (and taking) a property. This is illegal. Agencies are only permitted to charge fees should you actually take a property through them.
It is also worth warning that their so-called properties are never, ever, as advertised. They have actually been advertising in various places (gumtree, loot, etc) for over 4 years - and strangely, they have the same properties (area, street) everytime!

Hope this helps someone.

therealcleo · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 1527

Charlie64 - I've contacted gumtree about this 'agency' and they've apparently put measures in place.

It is not the worst case by far, but at least something is being done about it!

I signed up to flatland, and it was of no use to me whatsoever... whereas I've found two very good flatshares on gumtree!

Incidentally, why is it illegal? I've heard people say it and I'm not entirely sure it's true....!

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 5644

Shelter and the Citizens Advice Bureau are quite firm about the fact taht it is an illegal practice for letting agents to charge fees to tenants just to register onto their books without the offer of accommodation.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-244.cfm

"You shouldn't have to pay any fees until the agency has found a place for you. It is a criminal offence for an agency to charge you just to register or for supplying addresses and details of accommodation. Don't pay any fees until you've been offered a place. There may be other agencies that can help. If you believe an agency is acting illegally tell your local council's tenancy relations officer or legal department."

And

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/housing/finding_accommodation.htm#accommodation_agencies

"When you register with an accommodation agency, it is only legally allowed to charge a fee when it finds you somewhere to live. What an accommodation agency cannot charge for

It is against the law for an agency to ask for payment for:-

-putting your name on its list or taking your details
-providing a list of properties available for renting
-a deposit which will be returned if no suitable accommodation is found."

It may be the case that agencies try to circumvent this by trying to claim that it's some sort of holding deposit or fee towards the tenancy agreement but the law is quite clear that they can't ask potential tenants for money unless the tenant agrees to take on the offer of accommodation.

It is best to stick to agencies are members of self-regulatory bodies such as the National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) or the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

It is also advisable to report agencies that have this type of unethical/illegal practice.

therealcleo · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 1527

Bluey, cheers for that.

I used to work in property in a big law firm but it's not anything I cam eacross and I can see how it can reasonably be classed as a service, and therefore charable. Evidently there is some rule that makes this specific practice in letting illegal, which is great news for people like meeee Very Happy

If anyone has any ideas for how to get rich quick, let me know. Desperately trying to stump up a deposit before I get chucked out of my current place on sunday....

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 5644

Consider that recruitment agents won't charge applicants to register! They don't charge both the applicant and the client either unlike estate agents that manage to milk both the tenants and the landlord.

It's a bit cheeky for estate agents to consider billing their tenants big money for 2 minutes work entering their details into a database. That doesn't rate as chargeable work in my opinion but as naked greed for non-service which is probably why it is illegal.

Consider that they then charge tenants admin fees to draw up the tenancy and undertake reference checks, then reap a proportion of their rent going forward on behalf of the landlord. It's not good value for money in my opinion but at least it requires a degree of effort.

Charlie64 · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 31

Hi therealtheo.

Afraid I don't have an answer to the get-cash-quick dilemna. But I do totally sympathise - it can be really hard renting, with things like trying to raise enough money for the deposit, especially if your move isn't expected well in advance (and therefore, giving you time to save up some money). It is like paying 2 months' rent.

Suppose, depending how desperately you need to move - and how soon - perhaps you could try a market research company as they often need more staff. Rubbish pay but maybe enough to get together some extra cash for your deposit.
It is possible your local council could help - depending on your circumstances. Some councils have schemes helping or paying your deposit. Although often you do need to be receiving housing benefit/other benefits/registered on the council's housing list - still worth a try.
Or, perhaps you could negotiate with your new landlord/flat-mates over the deposit - perhaps offer to pay some now and the rest in say 2 weeks' time.

Anyway, know this isn't huge help but wishing you lots of luck.

y · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

Hi

I have just found this part of your site. I am one of those victims.
I must find a place to live by the end of august; I went to spacelet and paid the registry fee, but they have not shown me any proper place yet.

If anyone can tell me where can I find a place that would be more than kind.
Also they have captured all gumtree as well they leave an email address and as soon as you email them they reply by their agencies email.

also where can I report them?

thanks

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 5644

Do a search for Spacelet on the Gumtree forums and you will find lots of disgruntled customers. Some are trying to take action

http://forums.gumtree.com/viewtopic.php?t=6930

Speak to the trading standards officer and/or housing department of the local council where Spacelet operate if you feel they have charged you an illegal fee or ask Shelter or the Citizens advice how to deal with it.

You can find all these contact details on the internet.

You could report the agencies that contact you to the Gumtree admin but I'm not sure there's much they can do about agencies contacting people who place ads since they do this to any landlord or tenant placing ads across all websites and publications like Loot. Why not post your complaint on the Gumtree feedback section about being contacted by agencies despite your ad asking them not to?