Not a very satisfactory state of affairs is it! The agency does not want to know but is quite happy to collect its commission. The owner, from the details you have posted is typical of many people these days. Stuff you!

So where do we stand on this and the many other problems we hear about on HT and other forums? Well I remember back in the late 70s when we were persuaded to lease a business to someone who promptly closed it down and did a runner. Now in theory that was not quite a disaster as if we took it back then we had a good chance of recovering our money. But unfortunately we had signed an agreement when we signed the lease and the only way to get it back was through legal means. Just as here on HT when you start down the road of getting what you paid for it takes time. After several months we managed to get it back but the business was shot. We did however have a court order that would compensate us if only we could find the culprit and serve it. Quite by chance I was chasing a customer who I had heard was going bust and I had got lost. I pulled down a side street to check the map and surprise surprise I had stopped outside a shop, and inside was the owner, and the very person we were seeking.

We contacted our solicitors and gave them the information they needed - but! And it was a big but we also knew this woman had a young family and worried what it would do to her if we put in the bailiffs etc. Our solicitor put forward this opinion.

There are a lot of people out there who make a career of ripping off those who are honest. They get away with it by playing on the emotions of others - and laugh all the way to the bank. You can write it off to experience or make a stand. We decided to go ahead and recovered all our money.

This guy, and others like him, will continue to get away with it if you do nothing. That is what they count on. Will you succeed in court - the odds are in your favour. Will you actually get your money back - well that is anyone's guess and you will definitely make life difficult for him as well as striking a blow for the honest people.

You might actually get a kick out of giving him one - and that would be a bonus.

fwh

Have you thought about putting a review on here too?

On here...

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/portugal/algarve/albufeira/quinta-pedra-dos-bicos-hotel/

and especially here...

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=63

That's the first place I looked when I was looking for a private rental in Albufeira.

Good luck Miss Chief, I'll "speak" to you soon
Keep your chin up hun.

Perhaps you could try https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jsp I don't think it's expensive and may be a way of getting your money back.

luci

Mis chief

I have seen you posting on other sections on holidaytruths and am so sorry this has happened to you.

While I cant give you any valuable advice - I personally would have the bit between my teeth on the principle of him basically c o n n i n g you - but if its affecting your health then perhaps its not worth it.

Take some comfort in the fact that thousands of members on here read the threads and have looked at your link and will AVOID this property on it - and perhaps will tell others - so his "ha ha ha" attitude might just come back and bite him on the behind! Especially when they read of the attitude he has.

Let us know what you decide to do

You should go after this man via the small claims court. Unfortunately people like him give those who do the job properly and honestly a bad name.

fwh - Holiday Lets is a listing site, not an agent so they don't receive commission. Owners pay an annual fee to be listed whether or not the site generates enquiries or bookings.

Miss Chief,so sorry to hear of your bad experience,I can well understand your frustration and hope that you do succeed in getting your money back.Re-read your e-mail from this despicable guy,on here you state that he wrote it will cost you more to get your money than what is owed,surely that would be an admission that he does,in fact owe you money.Print off your e-mail and keep it safe,it could just prove your case,T.

After googling the man's phone number which is shown on the holidaylets ad, it appears that
he also has his own website http://www.algarvedeals.co.uk advertising the apartment
(as well as another business).

The photo's of the place look good - they've obviously been taken when the furnishings were
new - but dear me - that "second bedroom"!

I see what you mean about it resembling a cupboard!
And that ladder!
There's no way I would let a child sleep on them, and looking at them, I doubt anyone other
than a small child would fit comfortably in those bunk beds!
That's before you consider the safety aspect!

I for one have bookmarked it to ensure that me or mine never EVER book this place.

I hope he doesn't get any business from ht members after the appalling way he has treated Miss Chief, the 2nd bedroom is disgusting,I wouldn't put children in it,it doesn't look as though it has a window so cannot be classed as a room,surely.T.

Just a quick update, unfortunately I took ill on Wednesday and find myself struck down with Gastroenteritis and a viral infection in my glands I'm sure all this upset hasn't helped.

A letter asking for the money to be returned by next Wednesday would have been delivered to the owner recorded delivery 2 days ago, it was put together with the help of a solicitor at the CAB. So I await a cheque or a response of some sort by next week....fingers crossed.

With regards the 2nd bedroom, it isn't a bedroom it's a small cupboard with no window. The picture you see on his website is not of the bunk beds that are present now, they've been replaced with a huge wooden set that almost touch the ceiling, no guard rail at all & dangerous enough for an adult in my party not to use during our stay, let alone a child.

I did have a thought about all the faults we found.....I wonder if he charged previous renters for those faults and pocketed their money too ? And maybe people haven't thought or had the inclination to dispute if he only took £50 of their deposit ? I'd love to find out who his cleaning/maintenance company is as they have a lot to answer for, not only because they're not doing the job they're employed for but also that they've lied to the owner. I checked my text messages when I asked for bulbs on our arrival, he states later in his texts when I advised that we'd been there 4 days in the dark ! that the maid had assured him they were replaced, YES they were but by us and not the "maid"

I'll update as soon as I receive a response. I thank you one & all for your kind words & support, it's really all that's kept me sane...ish through this saga. Please be assured I'm not on some kind of vendetta but I do feel hard done by and my personality won't allow what I see as total injustice which is why I'll pursue it regardless of the money.

I just desperately want to warn others of this apartment owner & his less than honest description of his property, let alone his very dishonest behaviour.

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been well at all. Hopefully with the help of the CAB and the letter you have sent, you will get this situation resolved sooner rather than later as it is obviously affecting your physical health now and not just the stress it has caused.

Good luck and get well soon

Sarah

How are you feeling now Miss Chief?

And any more news?
(getting pins and needles from keeping my fingers crossed for you hun! )

We are all thinking of you and wondering how you are. Better, we hope. x

Still awaiting a reply of some sort to my original letter of 11 days ago No email replies nothing ! Second letter was signed for on Friday in which I outlined the small claims court it would have to be and that I would no longer be entering into any further contact following that letter......so we wait and see, although not hopeful especially given that we're apparently being blamed not only for all the issues we pointed out but also for a broken TV

I'm on the mend now thanks to the "horse" tablets, thanks so much for asking and caring about my situation

As soon as I hear anything I'll report back

Well perhaps letter 1 or 2 did the trick with the indication of a claim in the courts.

I received a cheque (and only a cheque no covering letter) for £150 I'ts essentially £130 light of what was due but to be honest I'm so tired of the situation I'll put the loss down to experience and move on. I've learnt a harsh lesson that I couldn't of allowed for or expected.

I've come to the conclusion that it's this owner who has a serious problem and not myself, I still have faith in people......all you HT peeps have proven that ten fold.

Thanks so much for all the advice and words of wisdom, I'm eternally grateful for you all keeping me sane through it and especially when I became poorly

Thanks again one & all.......and remember don't book that apartment

Whilst I am very glad that you have had a positive outcome HOLD ON A MINUTE!!

Might I respectfully suggest that you do NOT cash the cheque as that assumes that the affair is over, but if this is substantially short of what you are out of pocket, I would go and get some more advice, especially as there was no covering letter, so that you have no proof that this cheque was in relation to your request, and might be stopped by the payee ..............

I think this person is hoping that a 'token gesture' will be enough to stop you from going any further, BUT it is proof that this person does owe you money - and even if there is no actual admission of liability because there is no covering letter, he has admitted liability and wrongdoing in sending you a cheque - any cheque, any amount - and no reason that he is in the wrong and that you have received what he hopes will be enough to stop you from going on with your claim for all the money withheld.

You could investigate sending in a bailiff for the remainder, or complaining about him to the appropriate authority so that his future credit rating shows that he has a bad financial record, or simply take him to the small claims court for the remainder. If he does not contest this, judgement will be made whether he is present or not, and if he ignores this, then the court will make life very unpleasant for him until he pays up ........ plus a fine plus costs etc.

I know that you are grateful to have received this much, and you have certainly have had to press him for even this amount, but if he only repays part of his dues each time, he is still making a proft by underhand means, and should be stopped for the good of others and your goodself.

So glad you have heard from him and got some of your money back.
If you remember, I suggested to you to forget it so I am glad I was wrong!

If it was me, I would take the money and run - - - to the Bank!
I know it is not the amount you were hoping for but at least you can try to forget about it and start feeling well again and look forward to your next holiday!

Best wishes x

this is such bad practice the air con leaked due to not being maintained it is flies in the pipe from the winter
cleaning should be done for arrival and mid week it is obvious this person is only playing and cannot be trusted my advice is go for it try your hardest to get your money back
if booking never be affraid to ask for more pictures of the apartment or check the owners private website for details etc
people like this damage the good work that people like me do fairly

I agree with Alsacienne. If you think you have the tenacity to go with this a bit longer, I wouldn't cash the cheque, but start legal proceedings via the site I linked to earlier.

You deserve the full amount to be refunded and I think, if you just accept this cheque, that you will regret not pursuing it in months to come.

luci

I also agree with Alsas reccomendations
If your up to it of course
shes a vast knowledge of all things legitallymate,,,,,,( she has sorted a rather worrying problem out for me in the past)
and makes some very valid points there
but its up to you
i hope you get this settled and he loses out on business