14th Aug 2024 (5 weeks ago)
I would start by saying to avoid these estate agents, especially if you are looking for a property to rent.
I did have a look before renting with them, but the bad reviews were only students so I thought we'd be ok as we're not students but professionals. I couldn't be farther from the truth. Those reviews are definitely genuine and showcase how bad and scammy Canterbury Martin & Co is.
So our experience with them involved:
- them lying about things in the beginning before we rented the property . They lied that the property would be cleaned, the garden would be cleaned and taken care of before we moved, etc
- the wrong keys being given to us
- they do not inform you or invite you to the inventory check. We've rented in other places on the South East and they invite you to the inventory check.
- the inventory check was poorly done and not accurate at all, so you better be meticulous checking the property and sending your findings as their inventory check is a joke.
- the property had several issues including, mold hidden behind a wardrobe, broken toilet and oven, chewed up furniture and banisters, etc. Then it was really hard to reach the landlord who didn't want to fix anything.
- We got the council involved but unfortunately the UK does not protect tenants, so it came back as it was not a safety issue therefore it was a customer service problem with Martin & Co, which we'll still have to log a complaint about them.
- We ended up having to move again after 6 long months in a property that we could use 2 rooms due to mold and poor insulation. They incur expenses and it is hard to find a property to rent nowadays.
- To our shock they tried to steal our deposit to fix the problems we reported from the get go at the property. This shows how they are scammers and not to be trusted. I don't understand how a lettings agents that received emails from us regarding the issues from the very beginning even try to make us pay for the repairs that were there before we moved in and they knew.
Overall it was a nightmare and the worst experience in our lives renting, and we have lived in different countries in the world. They are pure scammers without any principles and values that entertain dubious landlords.
Don't trust them! If you decide to rent with them, do your due diligence and be on your toes as they cannot be trusted.
Also, when you visit the branch you can see how they present themselves poorly and that was already a red flag.
All the luck and hopefully you'll never have to deal with these scanners.
If you think it only happens to others, just check the reviews to see that their good reviews are only from ppl buying and selling property and not from renting.... Read more