Mystery surrounds Birmingham ‘virtual lettings agency’ after tenant complaint

A West Midlands HMO tenant claims he is having to shower in his garden with a bucket after his power was cut off in a £17,000 bills dispute with his lettings agency Virtual Rooms, whose staff appear to have gone to ground.

Nick, 36, found his shared pad through Birmingham-based agent Virtual Rooms and pays £500-a-month rent – which is meant to also cover utility payments.

But now the electricity has been cut off leaving him to live off cold pre-prepared food and with no access to hot water.

Lettings

Virtual Rooms is listed as having a location in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and also has a Birmingham phone number.

Nick claims he sent Virtual Rooms pictures of letters from energy companies which show the amount owed.

Nick told the Stoke Sentinal his girlfriend had moved out of the house because of the lack of power, while he was left fearing the approach of winter. His washing routine involved him leaving a tub of cold water outside in the morning, and then showering in the late afternoon once the water had been warmed by the sun, he said.

Our neighbour has let us use an extension lead to keep food fresh in the fridge and for my fish tank.”

“My skin is affected from not being able to shower every day and it’s costing me more money in food because I can’t cook. Our neighbour has let us use an extension lead to keep food fresh in the fridge and for my fish tank.

“I’ve paid £500 every month and that includes gas and electric, which we now don’t have. My Mrs was living with me but she moved out because she couldn’t cope with not having a shower.”

CONTACT

The Virtual Rooms website lists Lyuben Dobrev as its senior sales manager and says he is an integral member of the team, acting as a mentor for junior agents.

Meanwhile Katrin Hristeva is the senior property manager and Leocadio Flores the senior facilities manager.

Virtual Rooms’ testimonial page features three people who coincidentally all appear as testimonials on an unrelated website for a legal training company based in Berkshire. 

When The Neg tried to make contact with Virtual Rooms its phone number was constantly engaged and the firm did not respond to email requests.

Virtual Rooms Ltd is a company registered at Companies House, with current directors listed as Sarrah Hamilton and Karen Lesley Litza.

Sarrah Hamilton took over as a director of the company from a Sarah Hamilton, who resigned in 2021.

Yesterday The Neg reported that the Government’s new property portal will crackdown on rogue landlords and agents.