I went to view a flat today in Leeds city centre. I had high hopes before I arrived, particularly since it was located in such a position that I could easily walk to all the important places I regularly journey to: work, the gym, the vodka bar, etc! The photos posted on the estate agent’s website made it look pretty nice as well and, as if I needed any more reasons to be excited, it was just one street away from Wagamama.
I was therefore a little let down, to say the least, when the estate agent opened the door and I was greeted by a plate of mouldy bread lying on the coffee table in the living room. More unwelcome surprises were yet to come my way as the bedrooms presented unmade beds, filthy carpets, and wardrobes which looked like they had been ripped off the wall, whilst the bathroom possessed a toilet bound up with bright yellow tape.
The estate agent had warned me before we entered the flat that it was a repossession and one of the “nastier” ones she had seen. However, I hadn’t expected to walk in on a property which looked like its inhabitants were yet to come home from work. Not only was it deeply unpleasant visually, it also left me with a bad taste in my mouth, as if I had unwittingly walked in on the scene of some human tragedy.
Needless to say, I was unable to look past the material signs of distress and a hurried exit which lay scattered throughout the flat, despite the fact that it was spacious and ideally situated. Surely the bank, to whom the flat presumably belongs now that it’s been repossessed, should send in a cleaning company to sort it all out. The estate agent may not be allowed to touch it but they should at least pester those who can to do something about it, rather than ensuring that their clever marketing attempts fail as soon as the flat door opens.
Wouldn’t touch a repossession with a barge pole. Although they can be a good bargain there are just too many potential problems and costs that come with them, not least the possibility of having bailiffs knocking on your door trying to locate the previous owner and finding that because the previous owner’s details have been lodged with a credit reference agency you are unable to get credit.