Tenancy review for 114 Katherine Road in Abbey, Smethwick rented from Nicky Sewell

Landlord rating: 3

Comms were fine most of the time. They rarely got a professional for repairs and asked me to leave after 18 months because they wanted to up the rent by 30% because of a new baby, not because of anything relating to the property. They then charged me for faults from my deposit when I left, lying about circumstances and amount of cost in replacing issues. They never completed any asks relating to poor quality items.

Property rating: 5

3 bed terraced house. This is normal throughout lots of the area, but you can tell it's not been modernised like the rest along the street. It's a good size and mould was rare, and damp was fixed when reported. But interior was shabby, with all bright white walls, ruined carpet that was never replaced and mostly bodged repairs across the property. I worked for 18 months to get a musky smell from the house, which simply changing the rancid carpets would have achieved.

Area rating: 8

In Brum there's lots of transport, bus stops within 5 min walk to the centre, parking on street (congested at times), lots of local shops and a library and pool in walking and short driving distance and a woods 10m walk up the hill. It's quiet despite being all terraced, and I never had any local problems. Many of these places aren't modern, but serve a purpose.