Are Martin & Co - Sutton Coldfield Right For You?

I have been unfortunate to come across Martin & Co as they are the agent selected by the purchaser of my property in Worcestershire. There are only 3 people involved in the chain but they have been totally disorganised, reluctant to return phone calls or respond to emails.

Although I totally appreciate we are in a difficult situation due to Covid-19 both myself and my agent have been trying to get them to get the wheels in motion in regards to this sale and have been very disappointed with their lack of response so far.

If you are looking for a reliable agent then I would look elsewhere.

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We have recently sold a flat through Martin & Co and could not have had better service anywhere. Despite there being a global pandemic and very difficult times Chloe Allardyce rose to the challenge and eased us through quite a tricky sale. She was professional, efficient and always knew exactly what was going on with sale. On the odd occasion she needed assistance Bronagh Breen stepped in very efficiently. Needless to say we would have absolutely no problem in recommending them. Thank you Chloe - you’ve been a complete gem.

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Absolutely appalling experience. Stay away from them at all cost. They are bunch of cold blooded people that tricked me into renting property by paying rent of 6 months upfront.
Every single person in that property wanted to get out just because of this agent’s and landlord’s attitude.
At the end of my tenancy a big chunk of my deposit was kept just because the cabinets handles allegedly had some stains. Just observe that all the good reviews are either from landlords or companies working for them. This clearly tells that they will never look after the interests of tenants.
Please please, all you prospective tenants stay away from. In my case they would just walk into my flat in my absence OR giving me a very short notice.

Edit: Response to Reply -
1.Mr. Matthew Clinton, Sir I was tricked because the fees you took from me under admin, search etc, I was never told that they were non-refundable and there is a chance of getting tenancy declined. I was assured the tenancy until last minute you guys pulled back. I wasn't left with any other option but to surrender to your option of paying 6 month's rent upfront, "Free will" was only a luxury at that point. Thanks to new legislation that has put an end to these extortionist practices by letting Agents.
2. Yes, by law, you have to give 24 Hours notice and you haven't at many occasions. TBH I can live with that, the thing that is outrageous is the landlord spying around tenant's flats all day long under the premise of maintenance and on number of occasions, she has got into flat. I am not the only victim in this regard.
3. You were required to either return my mail to sender OR forward it onto me, none of which happened instead I was said and I quote "You can make whatever arrangements you like with regards to your mail".
4. Yes I could have disputed that £40 figure but I believed that would have delayed me getting my rest of money, which I needed urgently to pay deposit towards my next tenancy; at that time I was left with 2 options either to surrender and get rest of my money back OR dispute it and keep waiting for long time. I have had dealt with DPS schemes and as nice as they sound, that is another example of broken tenancy system. You have to come out of your La La Land and understand how difficult of a situation I was in and my predicament wasn't allowing me to let that money sit with you for ages. Already there was long and lengthy process to get it back.
5. As naive as your agency sound from your reply, I must inform you that the property was given to me on furnished basis BUT after my washing machine broke down, you didn't fix it, instead you said that that washing machine was a gift from previous tenant (sigh!) and It isn't covered. So, I had to get my own washing machine and was held responsible to dispose that washing machine of as well as you wouldn't pick it up.
6. Where I do understand that it was a managed property, a. I was never told that; and b. The frequency of visits by you guys was just abnormal and preposterous.
7. BTW the large change you are referring to I can see that on other review sites
8. I had to literally chase you guys for the dues that were due to me on account of water bill. My tenancy finished in January and I wasn't paid until March.
9. In this instance, I have some very caring emails from you which I can attach with this review for people to know if you like to dispute the facts.

PS: Another fun fact: when I came to visit the property one of the girls told that I can put satellite in BUT as soon as I was in when Satelite guy came to install it, the landlady started making a big issue out of it. The only way we could settle it was by me promising that I would leave that £120 satellite when I will leave (That is another £120 gone there)

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Please never use this company. Totally incompetent. Never answer phone calls. Sent me reports on my property saying all was well then when the tenant left I was left with a nightmare which cost me over £4000 to put right. The manager as not got a clue what is going on with his staff. He is rood and just comes out with excuses.
Please don’t deal with this company. Weather a landlord or tenant. It’s a disaster.

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7+ years. Nothing but praise for their professionalism.

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Unorganised, no communication was told one thing then another.
Wouldn't recommend using this estate agent, messed me and partner about. When complained, they didn't do anything other than offer me another property. I now avoid using martin and co for any future lettings.

Third Party Review - this review has not been verified by GetAgent.

The 2 Chloes who dealt with the sale of my property were very professional and kept me updated all through the process until the sale came to its conclusion and they both deserve a 5* rating.

However their 5* got reduced to 1 due to tbe extremely poor service I received from the rental side of Martin & Co. Occasionally I visited the property that M&C managed for me and on each occasion was alarmed when witnessing what alterations the tenants had made. They were repeaterly told that I needed to approve any changes prior to them takiing place but that only seemed to fall on 'deaf ears' as they continued to do as they pleased. I raised my concrrns with M&C via email, phone calls and face to face meetings and was assured that when the tenants vacated the property that ithey would return it to the condition it was in when they took up residence......foolishly I believed them, but now I realise that they were only paying me 'lip service' as the condition of the property was a disgrace when the tenants vacated. I enquired why the changes hadnt been spotted during the 6 monthly property checks and it appears there was no consistency of inspectors so changes would not have noticed. If the inspector had cross checked the inventory of the property when carrying out the inspections the changes whould have come to light - but they didnt, and when I complained about the state that the tenants had left the property in I was asked to provide a copy of the inventory.......so I had to tell them that they already had one in they cared to check their records! When the tenants departed they they left 85 holes in the lounge walls which they had roughly polyfillered over and left unpainted. There were numerous other faults for which M&C got quotes to cover the remedial work required to restore the property to its original state which were in excess of £1500 adding that as the tenants bond was less than £700 that I would have to pursue the them through the small claims court for the remainder of the money.........I paid M&C to look after my property which they clearly havent done.......in reality it is them who I should be taking to small claims court as they have not provided me with the service I have paid them for over the years! As for the manager (Andrew?) I personally wouldnt pay him in washers - but as I undersrand his parents own the business, no doubt he will keep his job!

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We appointed Martin & Co. Sutton Coldfield to sell a flat in Boldmere that had belonged to my mother. The flat sold quickly at the price that we had been expecting. The service we received from Martin & Co. was excellent throughout the sale process: professional, friendly and efficient.

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