"Just rude. I have no other explanation"

Called up and placed an offer for a property with Keisha in early December after viewing with her. I thought it was an odd encounter as she didn’t ask for proof of funds beyond asking if I had a MIP (I did). That was the last I heard from her relating to this offer - I haven’t been able to make contact since. I am baffled at the concept of being ghosted by an estate agent. I am a first time buyer and the snobbery I have experienced from this estate agent has completely put me off from interacting with them again. A little courtesy goes a long way.

"Worst estate agents in Luton"

Worst estate agents in Luton. Well known for being unprofessional and underhand. Also known for not paying their contractors. We ended up taking them to court in 2020 after non payment for a job we did for them. Even after they lost the case they still didn't pay and we ended up sending bailiffs into their office to collect what they owed. Heard so many stories from other agents and landlords regarding their shady practices. Wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

"Money not returned "

I am utterly appalled by this estate agency. We paid a deposit for a sale that ultimately fell through, and it has now been 4 months without any clear communication regarding the return of our money. These people are absolute crooks! Every time we try to get answers, we are passed around from person to person with no resolution in sight. We have now resorted to legal action, and I have seen many others with similar complaints. I will update this review if we ever get our money back. For anyone else dealing with this, I recommend going through small claims court.

DO NOT TRUST any of the following:

Paul Nan
John Litaunieks
Alan Herbert
Edit:
The owner claims they have no record of my details, despite me sending multiple communications to all of the aforementioned individuals. This is an absolutely appalling attempt to save face!

Update:
We have now submitted a Small Claims Court judgment and a County Court Judgment. Due to the company’s negligence, they will likely have to pay out more than they owe us, purely because they refused to return our money (pathetic!). We are now awaiting a legal order to take serious action against them. I strongly advise against doing any business with this agency as they will likely face many legal repercussions in the coming months.

Update:
How pathetic that they are trying to play the ignorant card and say "this review is not related to us" when they have received multiple emails from myself, the council and now they will be receiving it from enforcement agencies.

"Huss"

Really appreciate Huss and his advice on property matters, highly recommend his service

"Bad service, do not recommend!"

We have placed an offer for a house with Esquire estate agency in Luton. The estate agent Amina asked us proof of funds, copies of identity documents etc. We tried to keep in touch with the estate agent, for the progress of this sale but had no reply. When I contacted the direct number of the agency, the estate agent stated her what's app went blank and could not read her messages (never mind she had our contact on the office data base, and that the house we placed an offer for was sold already.
I would not recommend Esquire to anybody.
Very bad service!!!

"Worst estate agents ever...."

Esquire is one of the worst estate agents one could opt for their journey to buy a house. I will share my personal experience in this review. Problems started since the very beginning. They keep after you until you book the deposit and then forget you completely. They won't pick up your calls or if by mistake they do (when I used to call from other numbers), their response yo your queries would be that 'we will check and cone back soon', which they never does. So, we opted to view a new development (block of flats) for a 2-bed flat being managed by Esquire. They took me to the show flat which was a 2 bed 1 bath flat. I liked it and asked for a 2 bed 2 bath flat. They told me that the flats on top floor would be exactly like the show flat but with 2 baths but they are not yet ready for display. So, based on their assurance, I transferred my £2000 deposit and booked the flat but after a week I thought of taking a look at the flat in any condition it might be in. So, I went there and found that it was not at all like the show flat. The structure was completely different with smaller windows, smaller rooms, minimal natural light, etc., something I would have never gone for. So, I cancelled it and went for a 2bed 1 bath flat instead. This all was in Apr 2022. At this point, I was told that flats would be ready by Sept.
Now came Aug, I called them to check the progress and after multiple calls, I was told that Sept end or early Oct should be achievable.
In Sept, upon asking, we were told that there are some delays and thus the flat won't be ready by Oct but will definitely be done by December 2022.
Based on this new completion date, I planned my family's visit to the UK in April 2023 as I would use Jan-Mar to settle in the new flat and make them feel like home when they arrive.
In Nov, upon asking, I am told that Dec is also not likely due to various reasons but would now be done by Jan end or early Feb 2023.
Based on this new assurance, I extended my notice with the landlord until Feb.
Then, in Jan 2023, I did a viewing and felt the property can't be done even by the end of Feb.
I asked Esquire about it and now was being told that completion and move-in would be done by 1st week of March and was even given timelines around utilities' installations, internet, etc.
On 24th Feb 2023, I had a call with one of the investors where he assured me that he is ok to refund my £2000 if I back out any time as he understands how much pain and stress this must have caused me. But also, confirmed that they are trying their best and he would ask all buyers to come and visit in the 1st or 2nd week of March to decide whether they want to proceed with the purchase.
We didn't receive any invite until the 2nd week of March, so on 11th Mar, we decided that we need to take a call now as my family would be with us on 1st April and till now we haven't got any confirmation whether we would be ready to move in by 31st Mar.
On 16th Mar, Alan confirmed that refund would be initiated by Esquire's Director on 17th Mar as he manages all such transactions.
On 18th Mar, I chased up for the refund but got no response back.
I kept calling and emailing them but no one responded. In the last week of March, I finally was able to speak with them and was told to view the property again, if I feel that it is close to readiness, I can continue with the purchase otherwise they will give my money back. I went in there to view property and it was as-is in Jan, I emailed them and they said it will be ready by May for sure. My bank offer was supposed to expire on 7th Apr with no option of extension. I told them this and they asked me to talk to my solicitors and get everything done before 7th Apr and move into the property later upon completion. I discussed with my solicitors and they said its not possible as without completions, checks won't pass. To this, Esquire said we can't do anything, talk to the investors from now on.
What do you do after this?

Finally, my bank offer expired, I didn't get the flat, I didn't get the deposit back.

The investors were Stuart Hickman and Claire Van Achter from GFS Money. From Esquire, I spoke to Alan Herbert and Imran.
Please don't deal with these guys ever for any property related transactions.

Updated after the comment from Esquire:
That's what happened to me throughout last 14 months, everything was blamed after the developers and vice-versa. If they are mentioning about the deposit form then I have the below counter points.
1. I used the HTB scheme which means that my deposit should not be more than £500 but Esquire still asked for £2000.
2. My mortgage offer expired & lender denied to reextend the offer (an extension already); and the property was still not ready, shouldn't I get my deposit back? - My solicitor also confirmed that I should be repaid my money back.
3. HTB scheme also closed on 31st March so how could they give the flat to me with no offer or HTB?