Are Martin & Co - Oxford Right For You?

Back in Dec 2017, I had given Martin & co a 5-star rating based on the work of Luke who helped me in the initial moving in on google review.

I did enjoy my tenancy until mid 2018 when a new tenant moved into a HMO who was eventually served by the police for his antisocial behaviour. Even after being served and numerous complaints from other tenants and neighbours, the landlord nor the agent did not proceed with eviction process (he refused to move out). It got to the point where I felt unsafe in the property (cutting electricity, bolting the door lock) and decided to move out before end of the contract.

I did NOT receive ANY compensation from the landlord nor the agent (I had to pay until the end of the contract). I asked on number of occasions for help. Although the agent was always polite and apologetic, they never took an action.

Friendly staff they may be, but if a tenant feels threatened and thus have to move out and waste more than 1000 pounds, then what's the use?

This is just one big issue which is not explained to the full, nevermind petty things like lack of internet (part of contract), self-paid lock instalment... the list can go on.

If you are looking into renting in OX3, then perhaps think again.

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DO NOT RENT FROM THESE CON MEN

You have no chance of getting your deposit back and it is constant harassment. Kate from the agency inspects the property every month and finds things to charge you for even though pictures were taken at the start. I am in the process of reporting this to the Ombudsman. They turn up when they want without notice and constant threats by email. What a stressful experience. The other reviews are fake and these people didn't even rent

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Thief, they will keep part of your deposit without a real reason , the DPS doesn't really protect you , they can do anything they want with your Money, i won't suggest this company and any other big company to anyone. Manager highly unqualified, (miss Kate). They do viewing and inspection at any time and As many times As they want (not allowed in the contract), they don't care in any of the contract clause and they increased the rent after just 6 month of more than 5% (not allowed in the contract).

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Tamsyn Edgar did a great job showing us round the flat and getting us started on the purchase process.

Conor Taylor was crucial in getting the purchase over the line and was brilliant at chasing the various parties involved.

Of all the firms involved in the purchase, Martin and Co were by far the most reliable. I would not hesitate to recommend them to family and friends.

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Jordan was really helpful and helped us view three different properties back to back (one of which he successfully helped us rent)
We are very very grateful to him for helping us navigate our first renting experience and have no doubt that he will help us with anything more.

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Stay well clear

Rented from these guys and you feel like a prisoner if your own home. They are constantly around the room you rent and trying to scam your deposit from you. I've read all the other bad reviews saying the same thing and they just dismiss it lol. Rent from somewhere else people or prepare to have your deposit stolen.... Awful people

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They were very helpful in finding a pet-friendly house to rent, also very responsive about any issues.

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Very bad experience!!

On the very first day when we move into the flat. There is no hot water nor shower in the house!

We go back to Martin & Co for help. They simply throw the number of landlord and said it's not their responsibility to deal with the fix. To make things worse, the so-called landlord never pick up the phone!!!

What we are angry most is the agency's attitude. When we come to them, they show no interests offering any help. They didn't even try to!!! Simply ask us to seek for advice from Citizen Advice. What a joke!!!

Not professional at all. Even private landlord can do better. Very disappointed. Regret to use them.

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Very helpful. Thank Lulia you was very friendly and helpful. You answered all my questions and mails. It was a pleasure to go thrue all process having you. I can definitively recommend that Agency as every step was very clearly explained.

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Unhelpful and neglectful.

I rented a room in North Oxford through Martin & Co. When moving into the property, the room my landlord and I had signed a contract over was not yet available because the ceiling needed to be painted (something I was assured would be completed prior to the start of my tenancy)... Each week I was told I would be able to move into my contracted room at the end of that week - I stayed in a room half the size, living out of a suitcase for 5 weeks before I was finally able to move into the correct room, even having offered to paint the ceiling myself a number of times. Martin & Co did nothing apart from chase me for my full rent for this month while I was still waiting to move in to the correct room. I was since offered some compensation by the landlady who then did not pay it in full so I had to deduct the remaining balance from my rent payment for the next month and was again chased by the letting agent who did nothing to support their tenant while not receiving the room I had paid for.

I have since moved out of the property 5 weeks ago and I am still waiting for my security deposit to be reimbursed because of a cleaning fee which was not agreed upon. Upon questioning the fee because I left the room in a pristine condition, it was suggested that the fee is justified because I am not being charged for the blinds which were broken since before I moved into the room. This suggestion has been later dropped, however the 3 week long email chain is ongoing and so is my wait for an explanation as to what cleaning was actually required and the wait for my deposit.

I would strongly discourage anyone that is thinking of renting through Martin & Co from doing so. I am sure there must be alternative options where you are guaranteed to get the room you pay for and they won't hold your security deposit ransom over fictitious cleaning charges.

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