Tenancy review for 5 Wisteria Court in Warden Hill, Cheltenham rented via CGT Lettings

Agency rating: 1

Use at your peril!
After 4.5 yrs of tenancy I am in the early stages of what appears to be a fight to get return of my deposit. Their Agent, during checkout inventory, basically made a comment that the property needs to be clean in readiness for new tenant. Having just paid out £250 to a professional company for a full end of tenancy clean (including carpet and oven), I was shocked. When I informed them and sent the invoice, response was Landlord maintains it needs cleaning!!! Basically told me to take my complaint to the TDS (which of course I will). Said that property had to be returned in EXACT same condition, which of course is not true, as have to allow for almost 5 years of FW&T and if I did hand back in same condition, new tenant would be flea-bitten (as I and family were when moved in).
I then had an offer from the cleaning company to return for a free full re-clean to a 'satisfactory' state required by CGT. Their response was that 'this would cause too much work for them', they 'prefer to keep the cleaning 'in house' and turned the offer down, quoting £130 for a SECOND clean!! Interesting that they prefer 'in house'. Even told me that this 'should be a lesson for me the next time round'. What!!??! For last 20 months another Landlord took upon themselves to barricade/blockade rear garden access, which I reported numerous times, and still the Agent nor Landlord have rectified this. Other issues took between 8-10 months from reporting to rectification. Quick enough to take your money, and keep it, but very slow in responding and sorting. Would not recommend to anyone. I was previously with HMT Lettings and had no issues whatsoever.

Property rating: 3

2 bed semi detatched. Lounge/kitchen and external garage. House built in 1980s and showing signs of general wear

Area rating: 6

Great local area. Lots of amenities, shopping very good and excellent public transport links