Tenancy review for 117 Bayswater Road in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne rented from Rachel Wilkinson

Landlord rating: 2

The landlord 'hooked' me by means of agency and went off immediately after, she was messy, making mistakes on dates in contract, gave me a contract after 8 months I have been already paying. When we had a rat problem I found out that it happened year before and she did not solve the problem by stopping holes outside and ways in (possibly that was why tenants went??) . She was not helpful at all, finally she came over only when I told her that I would have paid half rent (money god). I stopped myself the holes with concrete filler and pebbles. I realised she is only after money and llacs repsect for tenants as people; finally she was very harsh and accusing me of not paying rent only because I was late 6 days once. She decided to redecorate the property and she insisted that she would do when we were there, so she stripped wallpaper, leaving floors and our stuff covered with tiny bits of paint, she was not even bothered to place a dust sheet on top. As a result I stopped her and reported to council tenant services, we lived three months with craked and bare dusty walls and my son had to sleep on sofa, having some bad sleep for many weeks. I alm leving a review to warn possible future tenants, since, by the law is expensive to report her through legal proceedings.

Property rating: 7

The property is the typical North Tyneside flat, so has bedroom at front on main road and kitchen at back, with outside small yard. The property has wooden flooring but we had a rat problem, which is very common in the area,therefore finally when rat was dead, it was under the boards, with smell and flies. The property has very useful storage, but under the stairs the landlord neglected repairing a leak so my coats got mould and so is not useful other than for storing plastic boxes and bags.

Area rating: 4

Jesmond is the best area of Newcastle, certainly is beautiful with tall trees, victorian houses and many shops and cafes. However student areas tend to be very neglected, with landlords and students not removing weeds, so front of houses look horrible, I cleared up moss and placed flowers, but rest no good. Back roads (rubbish bins roads) are the kingdom of trush and rats... All of this for over £750 per month!!!