I searched for an apartment for approx 3 months. I stated clearly during the solely written correspondence, that without a viewing of the apartment beforehand, I am not willed to rent one of their apartments. They showed me two apartments and I decided to take the one in Pembroke Street. Properties: 1st floor, facing the backyard and with a small wardrobe before entering the living area.
After I collected the keys (approx two weeks after the viewing) in their headquarter, I headed towards my apartment but there I saw that they gave me the wrong key, at least that was what I was thinking... I rang the office to signalise that there has been made a mistake, but that evening no one of the management was available to solve my issue, so I accepted to stay that specific night in the wrong apartment. I also requested that this problem should be handled immediately the next day (verbal and written), in order to move into the flat I had inspected, but the next day happened nothing till I contacted the office again (email). They answered me that the apartment I had inspected is not available anymore but they can offer me another one, which was by the way more expensive and in another location. I was absolutely stunned about this answer and that there was not even a spark of "sorry we made a mistake".
Because the apartment I got from them was evidently different than the one I inspected (ground floor next to the main entrance door, facing the street, no wardrobe and smaller!!!), I suggested some alternative solutions (Solution 1: another apartment in the same building which is similar to the one I inspected. Solution 2: an adequate discount on the one I was living in. Solution 3: A similar apartment for the same rate in another location which has the same or similar distance to a green LUAS station. Solution 4: Lawyer...)
Their answer: I got a call from the management. Quote: "The viewing was just to get an idea"...."it was mentioned during the viewing that the apartment is just a sample"...
Unbelievable and ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!! What is the natural purpose of a flat viewing....?
It is like getting presented an absolutely new car for a certain price but at the end you get the 5 year second hand version. Additionally I have to emphasize that never, neither written nor during the viewing was mentioned that the apartment which will be shown to me is just a sample! It is absolutely absurd and useless to show a "sample" which is significantly different than the final one! The viewing was the only verbal contact before the declaration of intention, and the Lady which has shown me the apartment just stated that she is only here to show me the apartment and for everything else I should contact the office.
But at least they offered me the reimbursement.
So, it was not clear yet if I stay or move out, but in order to avoid more problems, I asked Dublin City apartments to confirm that certain photos I took in the apartment represent the status of the apartment in which it was given to me. Their answer was that I have to vacant the apartment within 7 days... (a not legal postulation!) This was the second time I was absolutely stunned by the treatment of this company!
Whoever is familiar with the housing market in Dublin, knows how hard it is to find a flat, so I had to ask threshold.ie (Housing services and support) for advice and support in order to get more time to search for a new flat.
This was an absolutely nightmare!
Conclusion: 100% disappointed
Addition:
- Coat hook bathroom broken
- Light cooking plate broken
- toilet paper holder broken
- chopping marks next to the sink
- coffee marks on the wall read more