Tenancy review for 26 Buckingham Place in Preston, Brighton rented from Claire Tennant

Landlord rating: 1

Landlord consented to me having two cats in the flat but complained about them constantly. She would enter the flat unannounced several times when I wasn't present. Once asked me to be more tidy because she was concerned about fleas. Constantly complained about the carpets even though they were absolutely fine considering I was in the flat for four years. Once left me for nine days with no working boiler so no hot water or heat. Very disruptive to my quiet enjoyment of the property. Gave me a bad reference even though she had allowed me to live in the property for such a long time and returned my full deposit. I found her to be entitled, spoiled, and viewed the property as her cash cow instead of my home. Landlord committed in writing to fixing several items in the flat (rear fire exit door for one) and never did. Landlord did not protect my deposit until 32 days after the start of the tenancy. Landlord complained about the mould under the windows despite me having written evidence that they had had problems with those windows in the past before I moved in. Landlord allowed third parties to enter the flat unsupervised without my prior consent and when I was not present.

Property rating: 6

The flat was spacious and in an amazing location but all the windows were really drafty single-pane sash windows. I had to wipe down the windows and walls every day from about October through to April and even with that, the walls under the front bay windows were constantly covered in mould. Water pressure in the shower and bath were medium-low. Boiler was cheap and broke down several times. Curtains were tatty and torn. Carpet was cheap but fine. Insufficient heat in the flat so no matter how high you crank the GCH it was always freezing.

Area rating: 10

Seven Dials area in Brighton is the best place to live if you are a young professional - it's close to town, close to Brighton train station, has great bus links, good local shops, plenty of places to eat and drink.