"Your agents are very rude"

Your agents are very rude

"Thank you Ms Donna and Mr Lewis"

The Land Estate is an amazing agency. I’ m saying that because recently I bought a property and theoretically we weren’t a client but Mr Powell and especially Ms Harris were professional towards us. They we’re replying very fast to our email when questions were raised and always keeping in touch with us and not because of we were buying a flat just because they care, which is very hard to find someone like this which doesn’t know you but trying to help you in getting everything done properly.
I can say for sure that, if we ever need an estate agent, we would like to have them as we now know that Ms Harris will go extra mile for their clients and gets the job done.

"I had a viewing and was told everything…"

I had a viewing and was told everything is ok in the room.I made payment and signed my tenancy agreement and was given a key to the room only to arrive in a room that has no electricity and heaters are not working.Your company immediately told me you don't deal with maintenance!! Ok I contacted the landlord and it took 24hours to have electricity supply but almost 48hours now and I am freezing in a cold room.

"Very good"

To be honest, the company is doing well & fast...

"FALSE & MISLEADING CUSTOMER SERVICE"

I first encountered Land Estates through Zoopla when I was looking for rentals within Dartford area and was granted a direct appointment for viewing on 10th of May 2022. Later, I was informed of my successful bidding on property 68, Station Road, DA1 3QG and was emailed a tenancy agreement for commencement date of 23rd May 2022. I even provided a guarantor as requested and completed an online application to register my guarantor details with a link that they provided. The agency demanded a holding fee of GBP334.61 upfront to reserve the property which I had transferred from my account accordingly. However, on 20th June I received email notification by the agency that the tenancy agreement has been cancelled as property had been supposedly withdrawn by the landlord. As an alternative option, the agency then arranged for a second property to be viewed which met my approval and I agreed verbally to proceed. A few days later, I called the agency and was told that they had agreed upon a tenancy agreement with another applicant for the second property which they had committed to me.

I have decided NOT to proceed with Land Estates for further viewings and requested a full refund of my holding deposit but to date, they have not responded to my numerous phone calls and ignored my email requests.

Today, Monday 3rd October 2022 I sent another email follow-up and received a reply stating that the fees are forfeited as the guarantor I had provided did not qualify in terms of the required earning capacity. The email quoted their so-called rights under the Tenant Fee Act 2019 to keep the holding deposit. I took the initiative to research this Act and to my surprise the Tenant Fees Act 2019 states:

"The Tenant Fees Act bans most letting fees and caps tenancy deposits paid by tenants in the private rented sector in England.

The ban on tenant fees applies to new or renewed tenancy agreements signed on or after 1 June 2019.

The government guidance on the Act for tenants, landlords and letting agents helps explain how this legislation affects them. You might also find the ‘How to Rent’ and ‘How to Let’ guides useful.

The aim of the Act is to reduce the costs that tenants can face at the outset, and throughout, a tenancy. Tenants will be able to see, at a glance, what a given property will cost them in the advertised rent with no hidden costs.

The party that contracts the service – the landlord – will be responsible for paying for that service, helping ensure the fees charged reflect the real economic value of the services provided and sharpen letting agents’ incentive to compete for landlords’ business.

Local enforcement authorities have primary responsibility for enforcing this legislation. The Tenant Fees Act created an independent lead enforcement authority to provide advice and information to local authorities on the Act. Bristol city council has been appointed as the lead enforcement authority for lettings.

From 1 June 2019, the only payments that landlords or letting agents can charge to tenants in relation to new contracts are:

- rent
- a refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than 5 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is less than £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above
- a refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than 1 week’s rent
payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant
- payments capped at £50 (or reasonably incurred costs, if higher) for the variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy
- payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and Council Tax
- a default fee for late payment of rent and replacement of a lost key/security device giving access to the housing, where required under a tenancy agreement"

As you can clearly see holding deposit is refundable by Law. It is also applicable to tenants in relation to new contracts and I have not even begun the process of becoming a tenant with Land Estates!

This is very unprofessional and bordering on monetary scam. I was ill advised by the relevant agent and completely ignored. Be very aware of your rights and don't let Land Estate take advantage of you. I shall be referring my case to the The Property Ombudsman

Mrs N. Thayaparan

"I would not hesitate to recommend Land…"

I would not hesitate to recommend Land Estates. They’ve professionally handled the rental of my property over the last 2 years and more recently the sale of my property. The whole team are obliging, friendly and quick to respond to any queries. Hats off to Land Estates.

"Trusting agency"

Land estates is very up and doing. They're always on time and receptive

"Terrible not looking after tenant"

Terrible not looking after tenant, AVOID

"I had a great experience with Land…"

I had a great experience with Land estates. They're timely with their responses and pleasant. They also offer great packages with settling into your new home.

"Service is not as it used to be 3 years…"

Service is not as it used to be 3 years ago! For the first year their service was good! Gone downhill since covid hit and it’s bad now! As a landlord I’m having to double check everything they are doing!
Service is very poor. I’m hoping the service improves soon!