Tenancy review for 31 Victoria Road South in Southsea, Southsea rented via Tully and Co

Agency rating: 1

Tullys charged us agency fees, asking for it in cash because I'm sure they realised this was illegal at the time - unfortunately as first time renting students we did not know this. They were rude and difficult to deal with the entire of our tenancy. Maintenance issues we raised had to be chased constantly and wouldn't be dealt with for months even so. At the end of our tenancy they accused us of bullying our 70 year old landlord because we had to threaten them with going to the tenancy deposit scheme to get our full deposits back. This was because they tried to take a ridiculous amount of money for getting a gardener in, when we'd actually returned the garden in a better state than we'd received it - and had the pictures to prove it as well.

Property rating: 1

Six bed house in terrible condition. The windows and doors were so draughty meaning that the house was freezing cold in the winter and autumn months. There were random holes in the floorboards under the carpet so you had to watch where you walked in the house in case you stepped through the floor. Furniture provided was ancient, rickety, and already broken in some rooms. Kitchen appliances were ancient and broke within the first few weeks. Bathroom was fitted out with greens 70s bath and toilet. Shower room had the lowest pressure shower I've ever experienced and the hot water ran out within five minutes of use, not even enough to fill the bath halfway. Only plus side was that the rooms were large and had high ceilings, but that was only due to the age of the property.

Area rating: 10

Perfect location for students, right in the centre of Southsea just off Albert Road. Literally two seconds from O'Neill's and all the local pubs and one of the university bus stops. Only a twenty minute walk to the majority of uni buildings.