Tenancy review for Princes Terrace in East Brighton, Brighton rented from Jennifer Gandy rented via Paul Bott and Co

Landlord rating: 1

Landlady and her boyfriend drink heavily during the day, often starting in the morning. They engage in screaming arguments complete with slamming doors; there is no sound-proofing anywhere in the house. During these fights the landlady often tells her boyfriend to leave and never come back, and instructs her lodgers not to answer the door to him. These instructions are always rescinded within 24 hours. This happened several times.

There is also a fair amount of offensive and racist language from the landlady and her boyfriend including complaints about “darkies” and “coloured people”. Other unpleasant incidents include: landlady trying to engage me in conversation while I was sitting on the toilet, taking my underwear out of the washing machine and telling me how much she likes men’s underwear, walking around the house half-naked, etc. Furthermore she seems to regard not entering my bedroom without permission as a kind of personal favour. Given her stated refusal to take in female lodgers, this behaviour takes on a rather disturbing aspect.

When I gave the landlady notice, she immediately demanded another month’s rent (contradicting the contract). When she discovered this had been discussed with the agent who supplied and signed my contract, she became openly hostile, shouting in my face.

Agency rating: 2

Utterly uninterested. Supplied and signed the contract for the the landlady and refused to do or even say anything after that. Lots of unanswered emails and ignored questions. Totally washed their hands of all responsibility.

Property rating: 2

Two lodgers' bedrooms along with the landlady and her boyfriend. All kinds of things not functioning (kitchen sink didn't work, main oven didn't work, front door was dodgy) all of which the landlady refused to fix, against the terms of the contract.

Area rating: 4

Border between Kemptown and Whitehawk, not awful, not great. A lot of building work going on all the time.