"Housing Hand provides a useful service"

Housing Hand provides a useful service, especially for those like me who need a UK-based guarantor. Dani was quick to answer my questions, and Shereena and Carl were great in helping with my unique situation. The process was straightforward and enabled me to continue my studies. However, there were issues with communication from case workers, which wasted a lot of time and could be improved. Overall, it's a mixed experience.

"Exercise Caution!"

I would suggest caution using this company as guarantor.
My son applied for student accommodation for the next academic year (25/26). As I am unable to work due to disabilities and ongoing medical issues, I didn’t think I’d be eligible to act as guarantor regarding the house he was applying for, so a family member who works for a student housing company recommended them,. My son applied and put me down as co-signatory. I elected to pay the £350 charge up front.
The following day, my son received a call from ‘Housing Hand Ltd’ that he had entered the wrong dates in his application, the costs would be different, they would refund the £350 that day. The new charges would be £730. My son Informed them during the call he would not be able to go ahead with the increase cost. He immediately telephoned me and I agreed with his conclusion. The costs had become far too much and we would explore alternatives for him.
Later the same day, I had notification from my bank that I had breeched my overdraft limit and I would be charged fees in accordance with my bank’s terms and conditions.
When I checked the account, ‘Housing Hand Ltd’ had arbitrarily taken £730 with NO AUTHORISATION! of course the original £350 they’d taken hadn’t yet been credited back to the account, it was pending so this unauthorised use of my card had both: taken me into and pushed me beyond my overdraft limit. As a consequence a number of ‘Direct Debits’ has been returned unpaid.
I immediately telephoned ‘Housing Hand Ltd’ they agreed they would refund the charge but it would take up to 28 days. I of course queried why they were able to refund £350 the same day but it would take up to 28 days to refund £730. There was no other answer than “it’s company policy”.
As a result, my bank have initiated a fraud investigation against ‘Housing Hand Ltd’ and advised I escalate the matter to the ‘Financial Conduct Authority’. The bank further informed me; this company had also set up a monthly recurring debit, again without my express authorisation.
‘Housing Hand Ltd’ have been made aware of the financial hardship they have directly caused. Their response was to reaffirm via text message, that it would take up to 28 days to refund the money, thereby reinforcing the case against themselves.
I suggest caution in using this company. The family member who recommended them has informed me that their company will no longer recommend ‘Housing Hand Ltd’ to their clients due to this matter.

Update: Housing Hand Ltd have today (Wednesday) called my son expecting this review to be removed. They tried to insist they sent him an email informing him of the increased cost. They didn’t send any email, so we can add gaslighting onto this list. Besides, even if they had sent him an email, why email the monkey and not the organ grinder?

Further Update: the company has tried calling me but I’ve refused the calls being as there is now an investigation underway. They have started the process of a refund though which is encouraging I suppose.

"Website doesn’t even work properly and…"

Website doesn’t even work properly and after reading some of these reviews I’m not even ganna risk it

"Honestly save yourself the hassle. SCAMMERS "

Honestly save yourself the hassle. They will take money whenever they feel like and won’t refund. I’m on the brink of homelessness because they don’t know how to be ethical. Won’t refund my money. It’s been a whole month and I’m supposed to get my money back. These people are thieves

"Absolutely terrible"

Absolutely terrible, Rene kept me running in circles for 3 weeks until I lost my property. Bank statements showing £3.5k wages but told my income wasn't verified and I couldn't afford the rent. They said my income lodged into the bank wasn't allowed, it's good enough for HMRC but god forbid housing hand have their own rules.

"Massive Risk "

I am the parent of two people involved with using this service! The applicant ( a student) and her sister the co signer ! I am amazed at how easy this company makes it all seem! Without telling you clearly the legal obligations of being a co signer ! Just co sign here we just need another point of contact! No this is a very tight legal agreement that can impact you massively! Please anyone intending to use this service read the T & C s properly! Death insanity or even their own mistakes do not remove your commitment to be co signer ! Renewal to be co signer after the original agreement is over - well they tick the box for you and off you go again! I find this a very strange because basically once you agree to be co signer for the year they can roll it over to more - without an opt out clause they ignore the request to not be rolled over as co signer ! In fact they are excellent at ignoring you once they wind you in and the agreement is signed! Emails go ignored- you get no sense out of the staff , with different people saying different things! It’s a mind blowing joke of a company and read the reviews on their site - they reserve the right for bad ones to be edited- hence there are no bad reviews! We had no choice but to use this service as do alot of people and it concerns me greatly ! Just click here it’s so easy - please don’t -read the T & C s and do not take the decision lightly it is a very tight legal agreement and they do NOT make this clear enough- in my opinion!

"Efficient responses"

Dani gave me a rapid answer and solved all my questions.

"Fast response and fast solving on…"

Fast response and fast solving on problem with your hesitation.

"Absolutely shocking communication!!"

Staff in general seem very polite but communication of case worker and their systems are dreadful and wasted hours of my time. Very frustrating, annoying and unprofessional. Need to be reviewed and sorted.

"2025 UPDATE - Please save your time and money!"

If I could give 0 stars I would. Do not use this horrible company.
As an international student, I had little choice but to choose Housing Hand to secure the property I wanted. All was good up until my property asked for a contract between my guarantor and I. I asked Housing Hand through email MULTIPLE times for a contract, and only when I called them did they say a contract like this “doesn’t exist”. My application manager hardly tried to help at all. She barely replied to my emails and made such a little effort I was so upset. One time I contacted her to ask for this contract and instead of offering it to me she told me to look through previous emails from MONTHS ago. It was only then when I made the decision to fully pay my rent so I wouldn’t have to use Housing Hand anymore that I felt somewhat relieved of this company. I filed 2 cancellation requests and sent an email to my application manager with nothing. I gave ample time and they refused to cancel. Now they are trying to bill me £77 every other day and refuse to cancel unless my property (the place where I am staying) says I don’t have to. What? They gave me NO information on this and I could have had this solved months ago. Instead of being helpful they were trying to take the money I no longer owe them. I wanted to believe this company was reputable and that only a few people had a couple of bad experiences. No. If you are able please do not use this company. It will save you so much time. Housing Hand, please do better.
UPDATE - Back when I first posted this review, Housing Hand came back to try and resolve my issue. They did, only after they saw this review. Then THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE DOWN THIS REVIEW after they had resolved my issue. Now, this year, they are still asking me for money and have even sent a lawyer to ask me to pay for my "outstanding balance". What happened to this issue being resolved? Please do not waste your time with this company. Do better.