Tenancy review for 26 Ravensworth Gardens in Petersfield, Cambridge rented from Tom Lewis

Landlord rating: 1

The landlord does respond to issues, but at a very slow response rate. He ignores some requests altogether and most issues need a few reminders before action is taken.

For example, it took 3 months for a simple, 10min repair of the garage door to be organised.

Read the section about the general maintenance of the property.

The landlord did not return the deposit when the contract ended, without explanation. He did not administer the deposit in keeping with the law. When reminded to return the deposit, he is either unresponsive, or acts as though he has no idea what is going on.

The landlord is very keen to increase the rent annually and has tried to charge extra “admin charges” in the past.

Be aware that the type of tenancy on offer leaves you at a disadvantage in case of a dispute.

Avoid business with this landlord.

The landlord’s LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tgjlewis/

Property rating: 2

The property has been poorly maintained. Most walls have longstanding water damage. Especially the second floor ceiling (from leaks in the roof) and the floor of the en suite bathroom/the ceiling of the kitchen/living room (from a leaky shower). The leaks have been noted by successive tenants for years, and have been fixed recently, after the leak in the shower was so bad the water from the shower ran straight through to the living room on use. Because of the damp, there was some mould in some walls which had to be treated regularly.

Although the leaks were fixed and the walls repainted, the landlord did not repair the water damage to the walls at that time.

Most repairs are quick fixes. For example, cracks in the wall are covered with tape and repainted. Instead of replacing a damaged part of a tap, the tap was “quick fixed” and stopped working again within days.

The carpet is worn through to the wires. This is most evident in the living room.

The garden has been poorly maintained and is full of bamboo roots and rhizomes. Without weekly pruning in the spring/summer, expect a bamboo forest within weeks.

The dishwasher does not work, and has not been fixed for years although this has been brought to the attention of the landlord repeatedly.

Area rating: 8

The local area is lovely. Quiet, conveniently located, next to the train stations and close to town and the restaurants on Mill road. Would highly recommend - just not at this property.