The agent told us we had to pay a holding deposit before they would even submit our offer. We paid to proceed, yet the property was never taken off the market and continued to be advertised on Rightmove/Zoopla throughout (dated screenshots available).We were pressured to “move things along” during referencing and even encouraged to discuss giving notice before referencing was approved. When referencing later failed, a manager confirmed in writing they do not take properties off the market until paperwork is signed because “the landlord is losing rent each week”, and they retained our holding deposit, citing “loss to the landlord” and referencing costs, while moving on to “find another family”.This is a one-sided process that shifts all risk onto tenants while the agent remains protected and continues marketing to others. Get referencing/affordability criteria in writing upfront and do not give notice until everything is formally approved and signed. Email evidence available.
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