All the furniture changed before we moved in!!

only.satellites · 11th August 2008, 17:07

We signed for our flat at the start of March this year, moving in on the 20th. When we signed the flat was furnished beautifully and looked amazing. They said that they might replace the table and bed, but with furniture of an equivalent standard.

When we moved in they had replaced the items with cheap alternatives (£60 foam mattress!) and simply removed a lot of it and not replaced it at all. We demanded compensation for this and it has been refused. Do we have a compensation claim for misrepresentation? Who should we talk to about this?

Our flat is a single bedroom for £1300 a month! Not too cheap!

Cheers

MrShed · 11th August 2008, 17:11

Did you receive an inventory upon moving in? What does your tenancy agreement say about furnishings? Do you have any proof of the contents of the property when you viewed it?

only.satellites · 11th August 2008, 17:24

Hey MrShed,

We did receive an inventory but it was done after the furniture was changed and before even the replaced table had arrived. Our tenancy agreement does refer to 'furnishings' in the context of 'damage to furnishings' but nothing specific.

We do however have photos which were sent to us when we first went to view the property. It does clearly show items of furniture which are no-longer at the property and have not been replaced.

Any use?

MrShed · 11th August 2008, 18:13

Do you have a witness to them explicitly stating the the furniture came with the property?

only.satellites · 11th August 2008, 18:30

Not as such, all we have is the pictures which were sent over to advertise the property and of course the agent's name who showed us round. Two agents in the office were present when they said that they may change some of the furniture but it would be done with that of a similar standard.

If we were to compare the pictures of the flat as advertised with the way it is now you would see the stark difference. I don't have those to hand but could get them for you.

MrShed · 11th August 2008, 18:46

What I mean is - you say they showed "us" round. how many was "us"?

only.satellites · 11th August 2008, 18:57

Ah, sorry, no they showed me round on my own, when I say 'us' it is because I share the tenancy with my girlfriend. However I dealt with all the viewing etc on my own unfortunately.

MrShed · 11th August 2008, 19:23

It is a difficult situation. You have no proof of the initial letting condition. Also, it is nigh on impossible to quantify how much the differing furniture has "cost" you(the law only deals in financial loss in this way).

I would suggest if you want to do something about it, perhaps contact trading standards. You can if you really want withhold a SMALL AMOUNT of rent(certainly well less than 2 months) - but I cannot advise this fully, as if you do and it was challenged in court, you would almost certainly lose.

only.satellites · 11th August 2008, 19:36

Yeah I feared as much. I think its a 'lesson learned' situation really to make EVERYTHING clear in any agreement signed, down to what furniture is provided and what isn't. I take your point on witholding rent but I'm never keen on that as a course of action, could end messily and affect future rentals.

Making use of our 6 month get out clause and going to take our money elsewhere! Cheers for the advice!

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