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Winkworth

Agent rating: 1.9 out of 5.0 based on 29 ratings. This website contains 26 user reviews of Winkworth.

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Agent Information

Winkworth

Winkworth was established in 1835 and became the UK's first franchised estate agency operation in 1981. With over 90 offices, including over 57 in London, and as an active supporter of industry regulation, Winkworth is a familiar and trusted feature of the estate agency landscape. Along with an extensive London presence, Winkworth have offices in areas including Surrey, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Sussex, as well as France and Portugal.

As a franchise, Winkworth offices are all independently owned and operated. We expect high standards throughout the brand however, we are aware that from time to time problems can arise. If you feel you have been poorly treated, we have a step by step complaints procedure which is underpinned by The Property Ombudsman Service(TPOS) and the sales and lettings codes.

To begin, please provide a written summary of the nature of your complaint (try to confirm the name of the individual/s in the office you dealt with). This should be addressed to the Franchisee of the office concerned. If you are unsure of the
Franchisee name please contact us using the details below. Please also provide a copy of this correspondence to Hugh Dunsmore-Hardy, Non-Executive Director of Winkworth Franchising Ltd.

Your complaint will be acknowledged upon receipt and you will be given a time-scale within which you can expect a formal written response. The formal written response will inform you of the outcome of the initial investigation and further actions required or further information requested.

If you are not satisfied with the initial outcome of the franchisee’s investigation, you can request to have your complaint reviewed by the Franchisor, Winkworth Franchising Limited. Finally, if our findings and recommendations still fall short of
your expectations you are then able to refer to TPOS.

Please address all complaints and enquiries to Hugh Dunsmore-Hardy, Non-Executive Director of Winkworth Franchising Ltd.

Complaints Department
Winkworth Franchising Limited
11 Berkeley Street, Mayfair
London, W1J 8DS

Offices / Branches

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This Agent ranked 7270 out of 8398 in the UK

Overall Customer Rating

1.93 out of 5.00

  • 9 recommend
  • 20 disapprove

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Customer Reviews

  1. A 5-star review by 'gdc187' 17/10/2011

    Branch:
    Surrey Quays
    Services:
    Sales (as a Buyer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes

    I originally rented through these guys and they have always been prompt and punctual and on the case as soon as something went wrong in my flat. Fantastic experience, professional in all aspects!! Its only a small office so I was always dealing with Alex the manager. I ended up buying through them too, they always knew what to do and are very straight forward and upfront about everything. No hidden suprises. It makes a change really because a lot of agents are full of hot air and the Surrey quays office werent so.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  2. A 3-star review by 'homebuyer' 3/9/2011

    Branch:
    97 Lordship Lane Dulwich
    Services:
    Sales (as a Vendor)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes

    Good points:
    sold my property where others had failed

    Bad:
    allowed purchaser to gazunder
    only returned calls when they felt like it
    were useless when I was looking for a rental property

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  3. A 1-star review by 'jen5050' 1/9/2011

    Branch:
    11 Dartmouth Road Forest Hill
    Services:
    Sales (as a Buyer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    My experience with Winkworth Estate agent in Forest Hill horrible when I brought a house from them. Let me just highlight a few areas:

    1. On making my first offer it was rejected; however, they never sent an official letter to confirm this.
    2. Then later called up saying that another client who had offered £5,000 more than us, was not suitable so we can then make another offer on the property.
    3. The service is disgraceful, they are utterly incompetent, never return a call
    4. They were short staff and didn’t have anyone to show us around an empty property so gave us the key. Then accused me, without proof, of damaging the property that I was in the middle of buying (it was very near completion). The property was old and run down and needed extensive refurbishment anyway.
    5. They even tried to extort money from me!
    6. I was heavily pregnant at the time (7 months) and the manager was so rude when I made queries kept calling me a “stupid women”

    Overall, I would NEVER use them again they are liars, unprofessional and damn right rude!

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  4. A 1-star review by 'Desperately Seeking Some Customer Service' 25/8/2011

    Branch:
    2 Barnes High Street Barnes
    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    I wish there was an option for no stars. Winkworths employ the worst of human beings; incompetent, rude, lazy, belligerent and generally totally unpleasant. Their entire attitude stinks - we were actually told by the managing director of the branch that "you're not our customer". That probably explains why all the people he manages think it's ok to treat us like crap. There you have it folks - rent from them and they'll be nice as pie till you sign the contract, then you're just an irritation to them. They have made living in what is ostensibly a nice place a total nightmare. Some other financial considerations to note; if you stay beyond a year, they'll charge you £50 for the privilege of sending you an email with a standard template extension contract (ours couldn't even be bothered to get the address right, we had to do that for her), and your rent will go up by 5%. Because they can.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  5. A 1-star review by 'Sola' 15/6/2011

    Services:
    Sales (as a Vendor)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    I was gonna view a property but they didn't show up. I waited for half an hour in front of the property. They said one of their colleague had taken the key home and he was coming. They ended up saying they didn't know where he is. I was late for work and wasted time.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  6. A 1-star review by 'Pablob' 26/5/2011

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    Rented a flat via Pimlico Winkworth for 2 years. They also managed the property. At the end of the tenancy they insisted the landlord was furious with the condition of the property and would retain the entire deposit. This was despite their own check out report stating that the flat was in good condition. We were never able to speak directly to the landlord and they would not compromise. I eventually had to take them to court. As soon as I had done so they paid the full deposit. Not sure whether they were being incompetent or trying to rip us off. Will never use again.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  7. A 2-star review by 'Maddy' 4/5/2011

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Landlord)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    Offered my 3 bed furnished property to 4 students (3 males, 1 female). I had assumed one of the males was in a relationship with the female and they would be sharing the largest room.

    This was not the case because, unbeknown to me, Winkworth had agreed that the conservatory could be converted to a bedroom!!

    This arrangement was predictably so unsuitable (heat/traffic noise, poor ventilation etc) the poor student that drew the short straw had to move into the living room instead. They installed plasterboard partitions, blocking most of the light and shifted all my beautiful furniture... (read more)

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  8. A 1-star review by 'tna' 14/4/2011

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Landlord)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    They told my tenants I wanted to move back into my property. This was not the case - I wanted tenants to stay. They were arrogant and very hard to contact, rarely returning calls.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  9. A 1-star review by 'Unhappy Winkworth customer North London' 24/2/2011

    Branch:
    515-519 High Road Tottenham
    Services:
    Sales (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    Winkworth are incredibly unprincipled - having agreed to take a property off the market after we had our offer accepted, they did not do this, and communicated a resulting higher offer to the vendor (after everythign was in place). I would not recommend using them if you are buying a property.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  10. A 1-star review by 'silver' 2/2/2011

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes

    Moved out in October. It's February now, I still couldn't get my deposit back. I'm sure what they're doing is illegal.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     


 
  1. A 1-star review by 'Matt' 14/12/2010

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    1 month into moving into my Brixton flat I discovered that my electric coin meter was also supplying a downstairs flats hot water. Winter kicks in and no heating. The boiler is situated in another flat so I have to rely on them to switch on the heating. Our times do not correspond, and so heating comes on just as I leave for work and goes off 1 hour after I get home. Winkworths have pushed me from pillar to post for 3 weeks now and still not got heating. Am now seeking legal advise on this issue as I'm sure it's not right that a seperate flat has control over another flats heating! Have also suggested that I deduct some rent when it's a due only to be told "the landlord wouldn't be favourable of this". Quite frankly I don't favour having to rely on someone else to turn my heating on or indeed pay for someone elses hot water. I'm amazed that such an established estate/letting agent would allow themselves to take on Slum lords, but I guess it pays their bills!

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  2. A 1-star review by 'Nick' 24/11/2010

    Branch:
    97 Church Road
    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    Try to avoid Winkworth as much as you can actually. I am still renting one of their flats in Brighton and the service I have received so far has been awful. Terrible leakage on the bathroom ceiling from the above apartment but no one cared despite my daily phone calls to them. Apart from that, as this was not enough I am left with no boiler for over 10 days now although I am daily reassured that "someone is coming this afternoon to replace the broken boiler part". I am still waiting for that "someone". Also they have not yet fixed the problem with aerial. They are definitely not getting rent this month. They are acting like babies. No shame at all. Avoid!!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  3. A 1-star review by 'ank' 22/9/2010

    Branch:
    67 Farringdon Road Clerkenwell
    Services:
    Lettings (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No





    User 'ank' rated Winkworth but did not write a review.

  4. A 2-star review by 'Ned Lloyd' 15/9/2010

    Services:
    Sales (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes

    Bunch of wide boys who tempt you in by quoting high valuations but then insist on high commission and hedge their view. 2.5% in Central London as a starting point? Nice job if you can get it! And they wouldn't drop below 2%. Didn't get my business.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  5. A 1-star review by 'Winkworth-sucks' 6/9/2010

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    Winkworth are only in for your money. Once you hand it over to them they delay everything and meet none of the promises they made to you. If anyone ever bothers believing reviews, trust me, trust this one. There's nothing good about Winkworth, not even time spent writing this review.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  6. A 1-star review by 'Rafael' 21/8/2010

    Branch:
    46 Westow Hill Crystal Palace
    Services:
    Sales (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    I've contacted Winkworth's Crystal Palace branch in order to book a viewing at a property I was willing to buy as I even had the budget for it and would've probably put an offer (if I would've managed to visit it) but it took the agency 4 working days to contact me back. Mr Ryan called me asking if I was still interested in viewing the property (which is quite obvious) without showing any kind of care for the work he does and advised me he would contact me as soon as he got the keys to the property (as if it would take long considering the flat was already being offered for some time). After this contact, I never received any further call from them, even though I chased them once and left message to the agent.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  7. A 1-star review by 'TenantRules' 22/7/2010

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    Winkworth took over management of our property half way through the full tenancy period (over 3 years). Once they took over, we found response to problems slow, but not terrible.
    Check-Out, however, was a nightmare - they must think tenants and landlords have just crawled out of the sea.

    The person dealing with our check-out has not followed any of the guidelines laid out by the Property Ombudsman, and seems to be under the impression that we are in some kind of war with the landlord (we like the landlord) whilst also imagining we would be happy to have deductions taken from our deposit without any invoice, quote or receipts!

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  8. A 4-star review by 'Qwerty' 24/6/2010

    Branch:
    241 Wimbledon Park Road Southfields
    Services:
    Lettings (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes

    We were tenants with Winkworth for a while - nothing much to report but they were fine. Left my partner (who lived there before me) without a working boiler for a while, shame this couldn't have been fixed promptly, but they were ok accepting deducted rent as due compensation. East Dulwich branch were helpful when we were looking for a new flat, lined up lots of viewings and were always prompt, and on leaving our old place the Wandsworth branch were very helpful in advising us about our deposit and other concerns we had.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  9. A 5-star review by 'Eddie' 18/4/2010

    Branch:
    5 - 6 Station Buildings
    Services:
    Sales (as a Vendor)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes

    Their service was professional and efficient. They advertised the properly promptly and showed potential purchasers round. They very quickly negotiated the price I wanted and kept in touch with buyer, surveyors, and solicitors in an efficient way making sure that everything went smoothly.

    The sale went through in the target time and I am a happy bunny.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  10. A 4-star review by 'Anonymous' 4/3/2010

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes

    Overall I'd say we had a good experience letting from Winkworth. 1 bed flats are oversubscribed in this area, and as such go very quickly, so when a property became available that we had previously registered an interest in, they were quick to let us know and to take a deposit when we decided to take it (naturally!)

    Here's a breakdown of fees as they don't advertise this on their website: Holding deposit - one week's rent, reference checks

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     


 
  1. A 1-star review by 'Kats' 10/2/2010

    Branch:
    103 St Johns Wood Terrace St John's Wood
    Services:
    Lettings (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    I just wanted to point out that we are really disappointed by Winkworth's services.

    We had put down an offer for a flat and the property was given to someone else , even though the landlord had accepted our offer. We were not even asked if we could offer more for the property before signing the deal with someone else. This had put us in a fix because we were only left with 10 days to find another property as we had given the notice to current landlord.

    To make up for this, Winkworth offered us to see few more properties. One of the properties that was sent to me by Winkworth was on market on

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  2. A 5-star review by 'Lucianna' 6/2/2010

    Branch:
    82-84 South End
    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes





    User 'Lucianna' rated Winkworth but did not write a review.

  3. A 1-star review by '1outof7' 24/11/2009

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    Dire.

    We were told the flat would be cleaned. It was not.

    We were asked to go to a central office 6 miles away from work during our lunch break to sign the contracts at a time convenient to them. We told them to get real.

    We understand they lied to the landlord about the condition of the property, sending him photos of it before the previous tenancy. And charged him for an inspection too!

    And the worst part? When we turned up at the flat with our key one of the previous tenants WAS STILL LIVING INSIDE! It was a surprise for both of us... the agent had conveniently disappeared by the time we got back to the office.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  4. A 1-star review by 'Bobby D' 11/11/2009

    Services:
    Sales (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    We are currently going through the buying process with these people and they are very rude and obtuse. They have shouted at my wife when they haven't gotten their way. Simply hate them and can't wait for the process to be over so i can file an official complaint with The Property Ombudsman.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  5. A 1-star review by 'ihriel' 4/9/2009

    Branch:
    82-84 South End
    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No





    User 'ihriel' rated Winkworth but did not write a review.

  6. A 1-star review by 'Ladder Dweller' 17/4/2009

    Services:
    Sales (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    (Harringay branch) After putting in a serious offer on a property, I heard nothing for 8 and a half weeks. After this I grew tired of waiting I grew disillusioned with the agent and the seller, and took the decision to withdraw and try elsewhere. I then received a load of abuse from someone called Ennis or similar, who told me I should buy in Scotland! Well, I had the last laugh after buying a great flat and receiving a call from the same guy a few months later trying to drum up business. Needless to say, I told him where to go.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  7. A 1-star review by 'NOT Worth It' 15/4/2009

    Services:
    Lettings (as a Tenant)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    I'm surprised there aren't more bad reviews of this company - everyone I've spoken to who have had the misfortune of renting with Winkworth (London East & West) have commented on their poor service.

    We waited months to have anything fixed and received emails off them which were so badly written we wondered how some of them had even got a job.

    When it comes to checking out of the property they absolutely take the mickey - they tried to take off

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  8. A 4-star review by 'zara' 21/12/2007

    Branch:
    82-84 South End
    Services:
    Sales (Prospective customer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? Yes

    You really can talk business with them and they are flexible and do what they can for the buyer and the seller at the same time. Straightforward and good honest sales.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

  9. A 3-star review by 'KubilaiKhan' 9/10/2006

    Branch:
    82-84 South End
    Services:
    Sales (as a Buyer)
    Experience:
    Would you use the agent again? No

    We used Winkworth a couple of years ago to buy a house. We weren't particularly impressed. Despite registering with them, they failed to inform us of a property that exactly matched our specifications. We only saw it because we happened to walk past the window.
    All through the subsequent sale process, Winkworth were never on top of what was going on and never had any idea when processes were likely to complete, what needed to happen next and so on. We were lucky to be directly in touch with the seller, so we could work out where the hold ups were (often it was the solicitors) and take action. We felt Winkworth didn't earn it's commission. It was hard to see what value they provided apart from the window that we saw the property in. As buyers, of course, it wasn't our problem but it certainly put us off using them when we come to sell our property.
    It's hard to comment on value for money etc. as we don't know how much the seller paid.

    Was this review helpful? Yes

     

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Agent Details for Winkworth


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Review Statistics for Winkworth


Review Summary
 
Total Reviews:
26
Total Ratings:
29
First Review :
09/10/2006
Latest Review:
17/10/2011

 

Overall Review Performance
 
Recommend :
9
Disapprove :
20

 

Individual Services Review Performance
 
From Landlords From Tenants From Vendors From Buyers
 
Recommend:0 Recommend:3 Recommend:2 Recommend:1
Disapprove:2 Disapprove:9 Disapprove:1 Disapprove:2

 
Surveys Conveyancing Lettings (Prospect) Sales (Prospect)
 
Recommend:0 Recommend:0 Recommend:1 Recommend:2
Disapprove:0 Disapprove:0 Disapprove:2 Disapprove:4

 
They manage our building They are our factor They manage our estate
 
Recommend:0 Recommend:0 Recommend:0
Disapprove:0 Disapprove:0 Disapprove:0

Staff Members


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