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Estate Agents in Birmingham
Shepherd Direct Estates - Birmingham

Shepherd Direct Estates - Birmingham

1.6

66 reviews

Closes at 5:15pm

3 Brindley Place,Birmingham, B1 2JB

Shepherd Direct Estates - Birmingham hasn't listed any properties for sale in the last 6 months. This could be because the agent specialises in lettings, or the branch may be closed. Shepherd Direct Estates - Birmingham does have 66 reviews, with an average score of 1.6/5 If you're looking to sell in Birmingham, you may want to choose an agent with more experience. Covering this area are other estate agents, such as Three 2 Six Real Estate Agents - Birmingham and Belvoir - Birmingham Central. However to see who will objectively do the best job selling your home, make sure you use our comparison tool.

Opening hours

Monday 9:00am - 5:15pm
Tuesday 9:00am - 5:15pm
Wednesday 9:00am - 5:15pm
Thursday 9:00am - 5:15pm
Friday 9:00am - 5:15pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

View all details

Shepherd Direct Estates - Birmingham Reviews (66)

Have you used this agent?

All (66)

Seller (1)

Buyer (5)

Landlord (13)

Tenant (9)

General (38)

N Vincent

This company is completely incompetent. The contact is non existent, they are so unhelpful even if you do get a response and their charges are extortionate for what they provide. Worst management company I've ever worked with.... Read more

30th Sep 2021 (3 years ago)

E Jarvis

It is impossible to contact this company with regards to any matter. When you do you get given email address' they are for mailboxes that aren't manned. Even if you do find an active mailbox they don't respond. I've been trying for over 3 weeks now. Then Their 360 portal is terrible to use as its incorrectly set up. If I could give them less than one star I would. How does a company of their size still able to operate in this manner.... Read more

9th Aug 2021 (3 years ago)

W Smith

Absolutely terrible. I would not buy a property where this company was involved in its management. Appalling and don't care.... Read more

2nd Aug 2021 (3 years ago)

jez

Received the usual letter informing me that the half yearly service charge was due, which was £500 to be paid in one month's time. Then a week before the payment due date I received a second letter informing me the charge is now £800. Apparently an oversight. The costs are becoming far too high and notice of payments far too short. I will be paying close attention to the service charge and will consider using sections 10 and 11 of the summary of tenants rights to be sure that the financial management of the premises is above board.... Read more

Tenant

30th Jun 2021 (3 years ago)

D Wojcik

If I could give -5*, I would do that. Right now that changed the name for wise estate. This same ignoring staff, they take money for doing nothing. I count days when we meet in the court because they completely ignoring any letters and complaints.... Read more

28th Jun 2021 (3 years ago)

M Kurzelowski

We bought our lease apartment on Oxford Place Walsall in 2011 and got tied to (CP BGWOOD at the time) SDL property management unfortunately. Total ignorance and neglect! Only bills arrive on time (currently we are overpaid) Even simple repairs in past years like broken gutters or electrical issues with communal corridors lights are taking around 6months to fix (after reporting and chasing them with countless emails). Communal green areas are just completely neglected grass not cut! Disruption in communal cleaning (July 2018) for 8 weeks and we still paying for it! We are charged for services we are not receiving, like window cleaning when they dirty and not cleaned for years, or disruption in corridor cleaning service. Not a single correction or refund, our accounts always in deficit regarding to their very poor accounting. We try to contact them (emails) over the years to report or complaint but managing team (Ali Shah, Tamara Crosdale, Conor Moran) just don't seem to care. Awful customer service, calling them is just waste of time. How this is even possible to operate like this without any repercussions? At the moment we have same problem with wooden doors to garages communal corridor got vandalised. We ask many times to replace them over the years! We can just hope things will improve or sell our beloved home apartment and buy FREEHOLD!... Read more

Buyer

15th May 2021 (3 years ago)

R Mansion

They manage the complex I live in and they are like a load of thugs they don't like it if you try and pick them up on something. Emails ignored or you get the shortest, laziest response. The place is a tip, so I'm not sure what they actually do. Especially if you're a tenant not an owner, expect to be treated like a second class citizen. Totally unhelpful - hopefully their contract comes to an end and is put out to tender to find a more reputable company.... Read more

26th Apr 2021 (3 years ago)

M Smith

absolute dire company never do any work always sending bills now threatening letters of extra charges through late payment, not once have you done any work at our complex in Droitwich Worcestershire. using covid has excuse to do any work cannot wait to see the back of you robbing lot !!!!!!!... Read more

6th Feb 2021 (3 years ago)

A Bridgett

Horrific Company - Simply out to make as much money as possible. Avoid at all costs, I have an unpaid £80.00 bill. Agreed this is my fault this was unpaid, however they had sent ALL communication to an incorrect contact address for me. They finally contacted me through their solicitors to say that I had no alterative but to pay £900.00 within 7 days or face court proceedings. £80 bill £900 charge ! No option for negotiation other than to split it into. This company is simply out to get as much money as possible form anyone it encounters. You would have hoped that in light that no communication had been received what so ever and in light of the current climate, they would be amicable but this was not the case, there script is very well versed so they must have lots of practice engaging with people this way. Avoid AT ALL COSTS... Read more

20th Jan 2021 (3 years ago)

C Jones

In my opinion by far the worst property management company around and it is interesting to see the very low score that other people have also noted. They onboarded my estate poorly and are now point blankly refusing to listen or rectify the issues (which have been with them for around 18 or so months) - escalated up to SDLs Director who is also unwilling to discuss the issues with myself on a 121 basis. All issues have been reported on the residents portal that they have given us access to - I currently have around 50/60 open with no current view as to how and when issues will be closed. Lack of compassion and zero customer service skills. Also escalated to their Ombudsman who have submitted their report which noted a number of significant issues/poor standards. Steer well clear would be my personal recommendation.... Read more

8th Jan 2021 (4 years ago)

C Gillan

Absolutely terrible management company! They are supposed to be managing the maintenance of the shared area on our new estate. The area is poorly maintained, dog poo bins never emptied etc and no-one has replied to my emails since August. DO NOT USE!... Read more

8th Jan 2021 (4 years ago)

Y Elson

We were in need of a Management Pack for a property that we are hoping to purchase. The information was given in a very quick turnaround and they responded to messages quickly.... Read more

Buyer

16th Nov 2020 (4 years ago)

M Smith

As other reviews have stated, it's concerning that a property management company such as SDL can have an average rating of 1.6* from 112 google reviews, and 1.5* on TrustPilot - and just seem to have no desire to improve on this. I guess this is because they can continue in operation with little competition and the thoughts' of those residents not pertinent to cash flows. Nevertheless, I have found them to be expensive, non-responsive, and total disregard for customer service. I'd say avoid if you can, but more of a plea to property owners to use a different property management organisation as this will fall on deaf ears.... Read more

Landlord

10th Sep 2020 (4 years ago)

D Orciuoli

We love in an apartment where the lift broke down a week before lockdown. To this day the lift has not been working , the communication is poor and the whole thing has become very stressful . Families with babies have been blocked inside their home, elderly people cannot go out shopping . SDL has done nothing to improve the communication and work this issue with urgency . Totally appalled.... Read more

Tenant

13th Jun 2020 (4 years ago)

A W

Ali Shah has taken over our development of 22 apartments recently and has been a huge help in sorting out a few issues that we have had. In the short time he has managed the development I’ve personally had more communication with Ali than anyone else who has managed the project in over 14 years, although he is recently new to managing our development I would have no hesitation in recommending him as a property manager. Very easy to get hold of (which is a big plus in this industry), friendly, passionate about his job and I just hope he never leaves so he can continue the good work”... Read more

18th Mar 2020 (4 years ago)

D Reidy

A starting note is that we were apprehensive when we bought our property,as when asking for things to be done,it was swept under the carpet. But since Ali has taken over the management of our property things have got done. The guy is professional,communicates with you on a professional level,and things get done,he also is prepared to come out to lease holders,inspect a problem and resolve it in double quick time,really cant fault this guy in anyway,hope this management and leaseholder rapour continues in this manner..regards…. Dave and Pete...... Read more

Landlord

17th Mar 2020 (4 years ago)

E Broome

Following up from a previous review, SDL have left the tenants of Lexington Gardens in complete misery for over three months, despite continuous complaints made by property owners, letting agents and landlords. Despite their response stating in the previous reply that they are aware of the situation, nothing seems to be getting through to SDL to actually confront and deal with the problem. Tenants have been living in fear due to the security of the building being obliterated, doors smashed in with glass all over the floor, locks of the property physically cut out, and the entrance being left open at all times for whoever pleases to enter. This has resulted in numerous homeless people resigning in the car park, abusing drugs and leaving large amounts of waste and needles all over the floor, where respectable people, family and children walk in and out of the property. People are refusing to use this entrance and are being pushed out of their own homes, however are still paying their full price rent for such low standards of care, which SDL are refusing to provide. This is still an ongoing issue despite tenants from two blocks of Lexington Gardens (that I am aware of) each making complaints and exclaiming their unhappiness and anger towards the situation we are currently living in. SDL's behaviour is utterly disgusting and quite unbelievable, that security of a private property and safety of the tenants does not seem a priority and SDL frankly just turn a blind eye. Both ignoring the tenants and also the letting agents, landlords who are trying their upmost to help with the situation. They have also stated they are 'working on' getting more security for the property, however nothing has altered in the past three months and the situations have only progressed and got dramatically worse. Really not happy with their service and can only recommend to avoid them at all costs, they have caused nothing but stress and if it wasn't for letting agents such as Michaela, who has been a tremendous help, I would have left the property months ago. If changes do not occur rapidly, then I will be forced to take this further, to try and terminate SDL as their management is horrendous. One star is a generous rating.... Read more

Tenant

9th Mar 2020 (4 years ago)

K Spalding

Absolutely terrible management company that even the police are struggling to get them to act! Have turned residents lives at Lexington Gardens in Birmingham into a living hell with a car park filled with homeless people for months on end which is littered with needles, rubbish and excrement. When you come home late at night and have to park your car around someone with a needle sticking our their arm you know something isn't right when paying a four figure fee per month for the privilege and knowing your property is completely unsecured. SDL will not act over these issues. Avoid this company if you can at all costs!... Read more

Tenant

25th Feb 2020 (4 years ago)

H Wainwright

Excellent service by James Simpson and the SDL team, to quickly and effeciently resolve problems caused by an accident to the building; however this was not caused by any of the residents. This complex matter was dealt with professionally, timely, with lots of updates and communication. I was very lucky to have such support through a difficult and stressful time plus I would highly recommend them to a friend.... Read more

22nd Feb 2020 (4 years ago)

M Sutton

Hopeless. Roof has been leaking for some time. Spoken to property manager but he just does not DO anything, Been him chasing for 5 months.There has to be many far better managing agents in Birmingham. Here we are over a month later and despite promising a review there has been no feedback from the "complaints process" and no action, as far as I know, by James Simpson. And certainly no apology.Obviously his roof is not leaking. Avoid this lot at all costs.... Read more

Landlord

10th Dec 2019 (5 years ago)

M Group

Is less than 1 star possibe? I tried to call you and quite surprised with the stone cold reception I received. I am shocked to say the least, having emailed on numerous occasions and spoken twice with your staff we are no further forward. I have simply asked for a report of the outstanding issues with the properties detailed in the subject line of this email. I am told that this information is still being sought even after the faults were reported in 2017, still to be done. We have paid our service fee’s but fail to see where ‘any’ service or maintenance has been undertaken only to discover increased costs through your solicitors for invoices already paid. We have not received any invoices prior to October 1st, you state you have referred to solicitors on the 6th November, the earliest invoice you have attached are of the 5th November, nothing prior. We have settled all invoices on the 14th November yet we still have outstanding maintenance to be done since 2017. The guttering is blocked. The floor under flat 1 is collapsing due to water ingress. Rising damp in the halls. Water coming through the chimney. Intercom system not working. Serious health hazzard, but keep taking the money...... Read more

Landlord

5th Dec 2019 (5 years ago)

M Nokri

Extremely rude and unprofessional service management, they keep ignoring all emails and calls. They don't have even the capacity to solve a little issue against my private parking occupied by a stranger. been three months of chasing through emails, calls but all time I call seems the first time as they don't take a reference about the case. All time they give you a different excuses to not take the responsibility and do the job. It's joke of a company and industry after complaining for months and getting nothing..... Read more

29th Nov 2019 (5 years ago)

S McIntee

This company put fees on our new build estate up from an advised £150 a year when we bought a property in 2015 to a proposed £400 a year in 2018. They also performed poorly and did not manage the green areas on the estate as they should. If you are thinking about buying a property managed by SDL I would think again!... Read more

Buyer

24th Oct 2019 (5 years ago)

A Davies

Its joke of a company and industry after complaining for a year and getting nothing. I contacted the property ombudsman, after winning my case SDL were required by law to complete the work. What did they do... sold the management of the property to another agent! After contacting the ombudsman to find out my rights what do I get back... "As the property is under new management you need to start the case again with your new management company". The government won't protect you from these sharks and they know it. They take your money and do nothing till the building and estate is falling apart around you then run to the sunset. How do you sleep at night?... Read more

19th Oct 2019 (5 years ago)

F Wadee

If no stars were an option this is what I would give. Their management of the building I own a flat in is appalling. The building is leaking everywhere including leaks from flat to flat, communal stairs, the basement parking has flooding and leaking, lifts don’t work and they always have an excuse to pass the responsibility onto leaseholders. The leak from flat to flat is running through the entire building yet they try to avoid responsibility by saying it is not their responsibility and the cause of the leaks lie with leaseholders. One only needs to walk around the building and the leaks everywhere are evident. They do nothing to maintain the building yet leaseholders were served with a Section 20B notice informing of an increase in service charges due to expenditure. What expenditure exactly? The building is in an appalling condition. How can this appalling management company be removed so that leaseholders can have decent living conditions and value for the service charges paid?... Read more

Landlord

23rd Sep 2019 (5 years ago)

J Howells

Could not agree more with all the negative reviews on here, as others have said, if minus stars were possible I would leave that - having moved into an area "managed" by SDL and so far paying £250 for maintenance I have been withholding further payments, as have many others on our development in the hope it would spur them on to improve things. The only thing they are good for is sending bills and threatening letters - the money we pay seems only to go into producing these letters and not into any actual maintenance of the green areas. I find it disgusting that a company that you pay for a service, do not deliver a service and do not respond to complaints or ever hold their hands up and admit fault. No other service provider would get away with this level of incompetence.... Read more

9th Sep 2019 (5 years ago)

G Cunningham

I own a lease owned property and this is the first time I’ve bought a property that wasn’t freehold. The property management services are handled by SDL and I’m appalled at their lack of customer care and service! I’ve read quite a few of the reviews on here and concur they are absolutely justified. They are happy to collect payments but fail to deliver on services paid for . Needless to say they do not respond to complaints. I raised a complaint about the poor upkeep of the communal areas of my flat also the overgrown garden which remains uncut in July and despite my chasing for a response I am yet to receive one. I find it shocking they are allowed to behave like this with no repercussions. As far as I’m aware every business whether it be law or insurance have a governing body and I fully intend to look into this further . This poor service and lack of regard cannot continue and customers ought to be refunded for services paid for but the company has failed to deliver on.... Read more

Buyer

1st Sep 2019 (5 years ago)

J Conley

I have paid my ground rent to this company for years and had no problems at all.... Read more

8th Aug 2019 (5 years ago)

M Sudhan

Not at all acceptable service. Never worked or listen to the best interests of majority of residents. Take ages to respond on complaints and practically not reachable to communicate. Make awful decisions and enforce restrictions which are not practical.... Read more

5th Aug 2019 (5 years ago)

D Morris

Absolutely awful response. I’m about to make a formal complaint as despite trying to register as a director for a flat I own and rent out (after being asked) in one of the blocks they manage, it’s virtually impossible to get a response from the property manager. After going to considerable trouble to fill in numerous documents, scan them in, send them over, they’ve done nothing with it in over two months, despite several requests for updates. They just ignore you and don’t respond. They might have their own ex staff rating them a five stars for the working environment but I don’t see how this can be a valid review.... Read more

Landlord

3rd Aug 2019 (5 years ago)

Z Woodford-Smith

The most horrendous and despicable company to deal with. It is absolute extortion the way they put the fees up and do not carry out the work. When you then try to sort it out they charge even more admin and ridiculous legal fees. Who the **** charges +£1000 for writing a letter after they routinely failed to send the correct bill the right place. Then to cap it all off when they send out documents to share your account details they breach GDPR and send me the details of 9 other people's names, address and financial information. I wonder if they've all got mine too?!... Read more

29th May 2019 (5 years ago)

L Scott

Recently left the company to move onto pastures new. However, I can't state enough what a great atmosphere it is working here. Everyone is friendly, helpful and the team nights are great, even if I won't be there to rock the karaoke anymore. Particular praise to the Service Charge Accounts, Credit Control and Purchase Ledger team for the effort everyone puts in on a daily basis.... Read more

9th May 2019 (5 years ago)

S Roberts

An absolute disgrace. What should have been a relatively simple claim for insurance to cover accidental damage by contractors working above (repainting after flood) has been dragged out over a year on my relatives flat in Lichfield. Shocking procrastination, failure to respond to calls and emails, promises to return calls never kept, no proper record keeping so high staff turnover causes one to repeat the same issues over and over and over again . These people are an utter disgrace to their "profession" and disrespect their clients at every turn. The management company from hell need to be exposed on the BBC consumer rights programmes. Ironically they have a "modern human slavery" policy on their corporate website ...precisely what they reduce their customers to.... Read more

23rd Apr 2019 (5 years ago)

A A

SDL are the absolute scum of the earth. Simon Blythe (property "manager") I am fed up off your countless dodging of my emails and telephone calls. I am always told you are "on a visit". I presume this is only so you can excuse yourself from the uncomfortable reality of confronting your inaction over issues you are responsible for resolving. Of course, I am always offered an email alternative, because that is harder to ignore (!) These actions are especially disgraceful given your ex-service background. I have as a result made it my personal goal to ensure that the residence moves away from your management company. Loss of income is the only way to hurt an incompetent, spineless and immoral company. I do not want a hollow reply below attempting to demonstrate publicly that you "care" and can't address issues due to "privacy issues". You and your "team" have ALL my email messages, telephone messages "with assistants" at your head office and direct voicemails that you have IGNORED - have a backbone and address them and other clients issues, or sit back and watch as your customer base evaporates. Furthermore, I urge anyone reading this and considering taking SDL to a tribunal to review the government website on the matter... Read more

26th Mar 2019 (5 years ago)

M spellman

After 12 months the annual bill went from £4,050 to £6,220 over a 50% increase. Also when they did the survey there was only 19 properties on site, the site now has 27 properties, but only the original 19 are the ones getting charged????? So instead of a nice lawn in front of my house i now have apartments and a car park, which this alone has halved the amount of maintenance that was required!!! After multiple emails back and forth to the area manager and a couple to a director for the last year they still do nothing and dont even reply........... Well they do sort of, by sending inaccurate inflated bills.... Read more

21st Mar 2019 (5 years ago)

A Bunyard

After leaving a deserving bad review someone contacted me to hear what had happened and apparently asked the manager at the Birmingham office to contact me. Nobody has contacted me and I doubt they will now as it has been a few weeks. I am not really surprised by this as the Birmingham manager wouldn’t speak too me initially anyway. I don’t know If it’s a bad company or just their Birmingham office that is bad but either way my experience has been terrible. They are just plain rude and uninterested on the phone. They take zero responsibility for the bad service they provide regardless of monetary cost to the people living in the properties. Unbelievably rude when I finally did get a call back. Didn’t want to know and the property manager refused to come to the phone. Cannot believe they can charge landlords a maintenance charge for their services. Cannot believe a company can operate like this and stay in business.... Read more

Landlord

31st Jan 2019 (5 years ago)

R Walker

Had drainage issues in my flat this week maintained by SDL. Spoke to a guy called Joe Baker, very helpful and sorted the issue out straight away thanks Joe.... Read more

Tenant

11th Jan 2019 (6 years ago)

S Jones

I am really impressed by SDL so far. I met with Tom from SDL today who was really friendly and helpful. He gave me lots of information about the local area and told me what SDL do for my building. The building is always clean and tidy.... Read more

29th Nov 2018 (6 years ago)

typicality

Awful company. Had a significant value of camping equipment stolen from our supposedly secure cycle storage shed. When chatting with our neighbour after the fact it appears that he had reported to SDL twice that the doors had shrunk during the hot weather and were not locking (we didn't know this! we had always left it locked!). The company did nothing about this and now my other half and I are down a large amount of cash as equipment was stolen with no visible sign of forced entry (insurance didn't pay!). More than happy to charge £££ for maintenance fees but don't actually maintain anything......... Read more

Landlord

2nd Nov 2018 (6 years ago)

E Gonçalves

In short, SDL Bigwood is an absolute nightmare, they charge, don't clean and no reimbursement is made. The whole building is now moving to another property management company. In full, since they took over the building no cleaning happened for 6 months. Still they forced us to pay ensuring that it would be reimbursed by year's end. Guess what? No reimbursement has been made! Instead they sent new bills which were followed by a week later letter threatening with £40 fine if no payment was made. They categorically refused to amend the bill to remove the charges of the services that did not happen. Is this fair service? I don't believe it is.... Read more

Landlord

14th Oct 2018 (6 years ago)

J Willis

SDL look after the building I have recently moved into. They have been really helpful when I call their office to get a meter reading and where my parking space should be. Tom who is the property manager and his colleague Annie are really friendly and quick to respond to any problems I report, mainly with the bins. 5 Star from me!... Read more

Tenant

6th Oct 2018 (6 years ago)

N Visual

SDL Management are the leaseholders of my flat, I have dealt with them several times, if there have been any issues within the grounds where I live they have been resolved in a timely manner and professionally. They have provided me with a lot of support and help if I needed it , and their response to my emails and phone calls has been excellent. I would definitely recommend SDL management as a company as the team are professional and always helpful. Sindy... Read more

Landlord

27th Sep 2018 (6 years ago)

T Ralph

Would give them 0 stars if possible. Absolutely awful to deal with. My service charge has nearly doubled in 2 years despite being promised that price increases would be more manageable after a huge increase after 1 year. If you own a property that SDL deal with, your service charge will skyrocket guaranteed.... Read more

Landlord

14th Aug 2018 (6 years ago)

S Šu?ko

Worst estate agents I have ever dealt with. Extremely rude and unprofessional communication (pointing to Gita Patel). Gave this estate agents 2 months notice about moving out, two weeks before I had to move out received phone call from agency and they said they never received notice and I have to pay one month rent or stay in flat one extra month. Highly recommend to avoid this agency!... Read more

Tenant

16th Jun 2018 (6 years ago)

AASWMH

I requested two call backs regarding letters which were sent to the wrong address - both callbacks were not received - and then was hit with a bill for interest and legal fees for an older bill I never received. They are terrible with answering the phones, replying to emails and updating their records... I still have no idea what the schedules for my service charges and ground rent are, and no one seems able to provide me with either.... Read more

Landlord

25th May 2018 (6 years ago)

P holman

Absolutely appalled with this company, we have sold out property and this company are unable or unwilling to answer both our questions or our solicitors enquiries, this is now delaying the sell of our property and beginning to cost us money. I would strongly advise that people should think twice when purchasing a property that is linked to this company.... Read more

Seller

4th May 2018 (6 years ago)

K Marshall

Dreadful. Empty promises, callbacks are never returned. Trying to organise a new fob for electric gates is like getting blood from a stone. They love taking payment though!!... Read more

16th Apr 2018 (6 years ago)

M Gallagher

Just awful and dont fulfil contracted maintenance. paying nearly £100 per month, 15 year old apartments, mouldy and dirty walls and woodwork, filthy carpets never replaced since being built, filthy windows, looking at legal action agaist them appauling communication and service!!!!!!... Read more

19th Mar 2018 (6 years ago)

N Lancastle

We had a dreadful service from SDL Bigwood, including i) late payment of suppliers ii) unauthorised fees and charges and iii) incomplete financial reports. We left SDL Bigwood in June 2016 but, 12 months later, the accounts had still not been transferred over to our new managing agent. We exhausted all three stages of SDL Bigwood's complaints procedure, without a response, until (on the last day) we received a partial transfer without any accounting record or communication to tell us what the sum represented. Our new managing agent has estimated that we were paid ~£1000 less than the amount owed, before any refund of unauthorised fees and charges. If I could give zero stars, I would.... Read more

Landlord

9th Mar 2018 (6 years ago)

Peter

Terrible organisation to deal with. Still awaiting a reply to a query sent 8 months ago!!! If it’s taking money they are 5*. Anything else, then they are unprofessional, disorganised and lacking knowledge across the board. Where is the Chief Executive’s response to their 1* rating? If you can avoid dealing with them, please do. If you can’t, they’ll do their best to avoid dealing with you!!... Read more

7th Mar 2018 (6 years ago)

J Kirkham

Appalling Customer service, Billed me a late payment charge of £48.40 in 2016 as a penalty for an overdue 6 monthly £100 ground maintainence Invoice - Yet I'd never received the Invoice! Like other reviewers, I've written, emailled and called the accounts department many times over the last 18 months, promised a return call which I'm still awaiting, and no acknowledgement of my correspondence either. I've been in business myself since 1982 and this is one of the worst companys I've had the missfortune of having to deal with!... Read more

22nd Feb 2018 (6 years ago)

L Cherrett

Absolute joke. Paid a large amount of money a few months back for external work which hasn't taken place as other leaseholders haven't paid. We have rising damp in our flat. The internal walls are wet and damp,I reported this ages ago and nothing was done, I threatened legal action and all of a sudden they arranged someone to carry out a report, great progress at last or so we thought. Nope despite the report saying that the outside cavities are blocked and the damp course is ineffective ( and has been since at least 2012) we are being told that no work will take place for at least 5 months as they need to carry out a further quotation and send invoices to all the leaseholders. I'm guessing this work also won't take place. Meanwhile I have a 4 year old and a 7 month old who are sleeping with wet bedroom walls and we have been told by the specialist not to pay the £1500 for the internal walls as the problem will reoccur straight away due to the external walls. As a freeholder they are responsible for the external works and we have offered to pay for the work to the part of the wall which is affecting our flat but they will not consider this. We pay £500 every 6 months for them to now the grass and hoover the external area so surely there's money in the reserve pot. Its a danger to the children's health but we couldn't move as no one will buy with the damp issues and so we are stuck between a rock and a hard place .... Read more

20th Jan 2018 (6 years ago)

O Customer

Quite simply the WORST company I have ever dealt with. ABYSMAL attitude, even to their paying customers (and boy do you pay). Out of the numerous members of staff I have spoken to, not a single one has ever followed through on anything, including their senior managers and heads of department, heavily suggesting they are rotten to the core. AVOID like the bubonic plague and may your gods help you if you're unfortunate enough to be an existing customer and ever have an issue with your property... Read more

2nd Jan 2018 (7 years ago)

D Bayley

If you are thinking of buying a house and SDL Bigwood is running the "maintenance", you may want to think twice. Their communication is terrible for a start as they do not seem to answer the phone. When it comes to invoicing and payment it is chaotic "process". They have no online system and no facility for a direct debit. The best they could suggest was to setup a standing order, but then the amount varies. You then have to try and reconcile what you have paid vs what you owe and this is even more confusing. There is also no predicting when invoices will arrive, but rest I've heard from people that they will slap you with heavy handed fines if you miss a beat. It's the 21st century and when part of your function is to collect regular payments from many residents you really should be able to do this in a much more professional manner and if you can't then you are in the wrong business. When it comes to justification for payments I see very little. My property is freehold and a lot of the public spaces/shrubbery is maintained by the council. At best they are a nuance to owning your home. Heaven help you if you are dependent on them for your property for leaseholds or maintenance. I plan to write to my local MP about this as it really needs improving.... Read more

1st Jan 2018 (7 years ago)

Sue

Simply appalling customer service. They never handle anything proactively, always assume the customer is in the wrong and nothing is ever the fault or responsibility of the person you are talking to. Would give zero stars if that was an option.... Read more

6th Dec 2017 (7 years ago)

T tomas

very bad service and contact is just impossible- you can talk and talk and nothing like to wall . the company has not cleaned up the property more than 3 months.... Read more

2nd Dec 2017 (7 years ago)

A Boother

By far the worst company I have ever had to deal with. Non-respondent to emails/phone calls, demanded payments which were not actually due and to top it off very rude non-helpful staff. Avoid CP Bigwood by all means possible, I certainly will never deal with them again... Read more

18th Oct 2017 (7 years ago)

S Hughes

I have only owned my property for a month and so far I have had a list of issues with these people. - Have yet to receive my own copy of the lease for me to sign. - I have had no information from anybody in terms of how I report issues or request repairs. It seems I have to go so far out of my way just to find the correct contact number just to get a hold of them. - The cleaners in the building are as lazy as they come. They do not clean and have the audacity to moan at the residents when there is a leaf on the carpet. - I received my welcome letter and first service charge invoice on the 11th (dated 9th) which I paid the same day and then on the 12th I received a threatening letter (dated 11th) saying they haven't yet seen a payment from me. I honestly feel bad for anybody who gets stuck with dealing with them through no choice of their own.... Read more

Buyer

13th Oct 2017 (7 years ago)

B yuan

unprofessional company. paying £200 a month service charge and get no service. the company employs lots mangers (of course paid by residents) but not doing anything. could not fix a loose drainage pipe in one year although complained many times. The manager said it will cost £8-10k (he has never came to looked the actual problem) but in reality it will only cost for £300, they said they need a SDL bigwood approved contractor to do the work that is why it cost so much. they don't care how much it cost to the residents. still not solved problem and still arguing, can't fall sleep in the night due to the large noise caused by the drainage pipe banging the roof. don't know how to push them do their job. any suggestion?... Read more

2nd Oct 2017 (7 years ago)

A Mill

What a joke!!!!!! Without a doubt the most unprofessional ' company ' I have ever had the misfortune to get involved with. Ignoring e mails...... a speciality: Not returning calls, rated ***** excellent: fobbing you off and false promises.....all part of the service.....Have a most frustrating day sir.... Read more

11th Sep 2017 (7 years ago)

A Birch

Only read for a star is so I can leave a comment. This company sent me a letter saying I had not paid my monthly fee after 1 hour to get through got some drip saying don't worry van see you have paid no apology I was so angry I have never been in debt in all my life but won't waist my time now as they can do what they want as my bank can confirm all my payment with my bank . When they eventually answer a phone it sound like they are Al juvenile drug users disgusting... Read more

11th Jul 2017 (7 years ago)

C Cannon

Not happy with these people at all! Did no work on my house while I was there because they would send their contractors at times you werent there to avoid doing the work. They are rude! Impossible to get hold of when issues arise. The only way to get hold of them is to withhold your rent! Then they soon come calling. They are now trying to charge me for all sorts of things because "the house needs so much work before we can let it out again" which is untrue as I replaced the carpets and repainted before I left. AVOID!!! Once you've signed the agreements they are useless.... Read more

Tenant

8th Jul 2017 (7 years ago)

R Preddy

Terrible service as a management firm. The people on site are excellent but the service charges and additional charges they put on accounts are extortionate. The accounts are late (over 3 years in my case) and trying to get information from them (or even speak to someone) is painful in the extreme. They only got 1 star as i couldn't give zero.... Read more

3rd Jul 2017 (7 years ago)

C Garrity

I would give no stars if I could. Takes them months to respond to emails, by which time small issues that could have been easily resolved have turned into massive costly problems that they have the cheek to invoice you for. The most appalling customer service I have ever experienced; they genuinely do not seem to give a fig.... Read more

14th Jun 2017 (7 years ago)

J Johnson

Absolute rip offs SDL took over the management of our new build apartment. They were charging us crazy amounts for services we weren't even getting. I advise anyone to stay clear of SDL/ bigwoods, or switch if you are with them.... Read more

C Chubb

I will never be purchasing another property that has anything associated with this company. What an absolute shambles. The rates they charge are extortionate for the most minimal service received, I have been living in this building for 2 years now and have seen the grass been mowed twice, windows cleaned once and the hoover being used in the hallway once. I am home a lot in the day time so its not like its being done while I'm out at work, I really have to wonder where the money goes. I changed my service charge payments to monthly back in May and was told my first payment wasn't due until august.. I have now received and Arreas letter in July, telling me to pay in full or they will give my case to solicitors. I have just rang SDL, the first call someone answered and just breathed down the phone to me, no words spoken, finally the second time I got a young girl who seemed very confused that I had been allowed to pay monthly. She then told me I could pay monthly and my first payment should have been july. I would have paid my first payment in july if I wasn't miss informed by her colleague. The girl then preceded to ask "Can you pay in full today?" As if I was just going to say oh yeah here's over £800 after I've set up direct debits - it felt very greedy and target driven. And apparently after this 6 months of paying monthly I HAVE to pay my next half yearly in full? Why? I did not understand her reasons at all. They have charged me £60 for not paying on time (which my payment is still not due for 2 days) and apparently the manager needs to approve this will be cancelled!?!? Not once in two years have I felt happy with any part of this companies service, it's not hard to give good customer service!... Read more

Tenant

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