Tenancy review for Crooked Barn in Loddiswell Aveton Gifford, Ivybridge rented from Peter And Jacqueline Bate rented via Luscombe Maye

Landlord rating: 1

My landlord lived in the adjacent property. Initially he was very friendly. Almost too friendly. He would come and chat (about literally nothing) all of the time and I felt very uncomfortable when he invited me into his house for coffee one evening. Plus he referred to himself as a 'muscle man'. He tried to tell me the plumbing issue was fixed. He tried to blame the VERY slow draining of the bath on hair being in the plughole. He kept lying to my face that the drainage issues were fixed. My utility bills (all sub-metered) were a work of fiction and after I queried the first (very high) bill he became very hostile. His family seem to be complicit in this web of lies and continually flatly denied everything, despite solid evidence.

Agency rating: 1

The agency were not transparent and took no responsibility for the issues I raised, such as the landlord trying to rip me off on utilities. And not having planning permission to tent the property as an assured shorthold tenancy.

Property rating: 3

The property is not in great condition. The plumbing is terrible. I experienced several floods of waste water in the kitchen due to a drain blockage outside. The owner is an elderly plumber and kept telling me it was fixed. Apparently drains are supposed to make that much noise....

Area rating: 1

It is isolated which was good and bad but very noisy due to the proximity to a busy road. My landlord made it a misery to live there.