20th Oct 2026 (22 days ago)
I would strongly encourage prospective tenants to think twice before renting a property managed by Oakmans.
My partner and I have rented a property managed by Oakmans since June, and our experience has been nothing short of dreadful.
In the interests of fairness, I should acknowledge that it is not always possible for us, as tenants, to distinguish between failures attributable to the landlord and those attributable to the managing agent. However, what has become increasingly apparent is Oakmans’ apparent inability to accept criticism or take meaningful accountability, with concerns seemingly met by deflection rather than constructive action.
To give some indication of our experience:
Bathroom ventilation: The mechanical ventilation in our internal bathrooms failed and remained inoperative for several months before repairs were arranged.
Heating and hot water: We have now been without heating and hot water for an entire week, with no confirmed timescale for repairs.
Fire safety and security: Locks were installed on an external door in circumstances that raised serious concerns about compliance with fire safety requirements.
Prohibited fees: An outgoing tenant was charged fees that we believe contravened the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
Fire alarm maintenance: We have email correspondence concerning fire alarm tests not being carried out, alongside an alarm bearing an expiry date of 2015. Remarkably, the explanation offered was that the Council had not informed them that the alarm needed replacing. I struggle to understand how this could be considered a satisfactory justification.
Basic maintenance: A broken kitchen tap took three months — yes, three months — to replace.
These are not isolated inconveniences or minor disagreements over the standard of a rental property. They represent a sustained pattern of delayed maintenance, questionable management practices and, most concerningly, apparent failures relating to essential services and tenant safety.
What makes the experience particularly frustrating is not simply the existence of these problems, but the response when they are raised. Rather than demonstrating urgency, accountability or a willingness to address legitimate concerns, our experience has been one of repeated deflection.
A managing agent should provide reassurance that a property is being managed competently, particularly when issues of safety and habitability arise. Unfortunately, our experience with Oakmans has been quite the opposite.
If there is one word that comes to mind when reflecting on our experience, it is “liability”.
I cannot recommend Oakmans based on our experience to date, and I would strongly encourage prospective tenants to exercise considerable caution before entering into a tenancy involving them.... Read more