Manning Stainton - Morley

Reply from Manning Stainton - Morley: We are sorry to hear that you were unhappy with your experience. However, we feel it is important to clarify the process for the benefit of anyone reading this review. Before taking a holding deposit, we explain the referencing process and the circumstances in which a holding deposit may be retained. Applicants are also provided with written terms which clearly set out these circumstances and confirm that the holding deposit may be retained where an applicant fails referencing for reasons covered by the agreed terms, this includes providing inaccurate or misleading information, failing a landlord reference or credit check, or if you withdraw from the proposed tenancy. In this instance, information came to light during the referencing process which had not been declared on your application form. This resulted in the referencing requirements not being met and the application therefore receiving a fail. Had this information been declared on the application form at the outset, we would have been aware that the referencing criteria were extremely unlikely to be met and would have advised you of this. You had signed documentation confirming that you understood the referencing requirements and the circumstances in which the holding deposit could be retained. The referencing itself is carried out by an independent third-party referencing provider. The checks and any requests for further information are a necessary part of verifying an applicant’s circumstances and ensuring that the information supplied is accurate. We appreciate that being unsuccessful at referencing is disappointing, but we have followed our established process consistently and in accordance with the applicable legislation. The holding deposit was therefore retained in accordance with the terms explained and agreed to before the application proceeded.