The market is a total Wild West now. During the last 5 years, I have rented many different properties in the Oxbridge area. All brand new houses (I really was the first person living there), from well-known estate agents and with high rental prices.
In all cases except one, I have ended up really dissatisfied. Most properties never attempted to renew my contract after 6/12 months, or asked for an unreasonable rental increase in order to actually kick me out. I suspect this was done to put the property back into the market and generate more fees for the agent. Often, the property would be vacant for a month or two after I left, which makes even less sense.
Twice, my deposit has not been returned and no explanation has been provided. Naturally, I took both cases to the Ombudsman and won. But it is a huge waste of time.
Twice, I had massive floods due to piping issues but received no compensation despite their promises and legal obligation to do so.
I have rented many other properties abroad, including US & Scandinavia. And never had an issue. Here, it is crazy bad. And as a tenant you can't do much, because you need references in order to rent the next flat.