[njw]

I write this to urge everyone in Dundee who rents with shepherd lettings (on commercial street) to get in touch either on this thread, by PM or to me direct.

I have been renting with shepherds for 6 months now, and since we move in the company:

- has been completely unprofessional and nevered replied to any letters or other form of written correspondance
- has failed to carry out essential repairs
- has made errors in their accounts which have led to myself and my flatmates being wrongly reffered to a debt collecters
- has failed to help rectify the situation quickly
- has acted in such a way to attempt to trick/confuse us when making complaints, something they are renowned for - as they do not expect students to take action against them
- has basically acted unprofessionally, ripped us off, left us in a house which is almost unfit to live in, and failed to respond to any complaints we make.

Some examples -

When we moved in on the 1st of July, the flat was in a state. Despite being told the flat was cleaned extensively on June the 28th, the flat was messy, almost an inch thick layer of dust lay in areas, mouldy glasses and plates were scattered around, there were holes in walls, the bathroom was a disgusting state, shower curtain broken, no bathroom lock, and more. There were also leaks in upstairs ceiling and windows.

All these things were reported on the day, and yet it took shepherd (while being constantly reminded) almost 4 months to carry out any repairs. All the repairs that were done were a small lock fitted to the bathroom door, and a new shower curtain fitted. Because of this, written notice was given that rent would be withheld, but there was no responce to this.

When rent was withheld, the company made a huge fuss, and eventually we secured a meeting in the flat with the arrears officer, and Jim Stewart, a junior management partner in the firm. At this meeting we resolved the rent problems by paying the missing rent, and Jim Stewart assured the other problems would be fixed.

Were they? No.

He also said when asked about the lack of responce to letters - "I get a lot of letters into my office, you cant expect me to read them all?"

this seems to be the general attitude throughout the company.

Completely unprofessional, and impossible to deal with.

I urge you if you rent with these people to get in touch as i'd like to know your experiences, and I am trying to gather names to make a large scale formal complaint to numerous bodies. I also urge you to write to them and RICS (the royal institute of chartered surveyors) to make a complaint if you feel you need to.

Thank you for reading,

Nico