Tenancy review for 48 Elaine Street in Belfast, Belfast rented via USPM Property Management

Agency rating: 1

No fees, but almost impossible to contact. One of the tiles in the main doorway into the living room was completely smashed and sharp when I moved in. I emailed the letting agents with a list of problems and it took them over 3 months to fix all of the problems (including a toilet that didn't flush well). The fridge that was left by the previous tenants had exposed wires which was obviously dangerous, and needed defrosting. When I defrosted it, the freezer had various old food items in the ice that had formed, some of it so old I couldn't tell what it was. Sometimes they don't reply or pick up the phone for weeks, sometimes they receive messages but don't bother replying, despite saying weeks later that they did see the message at the time. They also used awful repairmen. Very few of them wore masks during the pandemic, and one invited his friend over INTO MY FLAT while he was doing repairs. Do not use USPM, engaging with them is like pulling teeth, and I pay £590 pm, I expected a better standard of property for my money.

Property rating: 6

It was filthy when I moved in. The last tenants hadn't even hoovered as there were still food crumbs on the floor. The fridge-freezer had exposed wires, some tiles in the main hall were smashed and sharp. The landlord/letting agents didn't respond about the fridge so I had to pay for a new one. The shower doesn't work all the time, if the upstairs tenants are also showering, half of the water stops coming out. The oven hobs don't all work effectively. But the living room is huge and has a gorgeous view over the botanic gardens and its quiet at night.

Area rating: 9

The shops are only a 5 minute walk away, as are bus stops. Never had problems with neighbours except some bin stealing! Very quiet at night as it is effectively a dead end when the botanic gardens shuts. VERY close to QUB, only a 3-4 minute walk.