“They agreed a rent of £1300 with me, asked me to ......”
1 Star Review
Sep 19,2016
By:
'DON'T'
Sep 19,2016
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode: E1
6
people found
this helpful
allAgents says
Crooked Islington letting agents ordered to pay victims almost £100,000 in compensation
Source : Iislingtongazette.co.uk PUBLISHED: 16:44 29 October 2020
Three dodgy letting agents who kept tenants' rent payments instead of passing them on to the landlords have been ordered to pay almost £100,000 in compensation to their victims.
Share article from Islington Gazette on facebookTweet article from Islington Gazettepost article from Islington Gazette on redditemail article from Islington GazetteShare
The conmen, who ran companies in Islington and neighbouring boroughs under the trading name Crestons, also failed to refund deposits to private tenants at the end of their tenancies and left at least 19 victims about £105,000 out of pocket.
Mohammed Rayn Mashuk, Mohammed Ibrahim Ali and Ahmed Ali Syed were convicted in December 2018 of carrying on business for a fraudulent purpose following a five-week trial at Blackfriars Crown Court, which heard testimony from more than 30 witnesses.
The trio were later sentenced to 28 months behind bars and were disqualified from acting as directors of a company for eight years.
They were brought to justice following a lengthy and complex investigation by Islington Council which was partly funded by National Trading Standards (NTS), triggered by complaints from tenants and landlords who had fallen victim to Crestons.
Last week a confiscation hearing at Inner London Crown Court marked the end of the council's long-running and complex investigation.
Syed was ordered to pay £72,035.12 in compensation to three victims, and had a further £2,709.12 of criminal proceeds confiscated.
Mashuk was ordered to pay £21,717.46 in compensation to seven victims, and had £47,919.04 of criminal proceeds confiscated.
Meanwhile Ali was ordered to pay £5,137.46 in compensation to two victims and had £21,329.47 of criminal proceeds confiscated.
Islington's housing chief, Cllr Diarmaid Ward, said: “This confiscation order is a major victory for private tenants and landlords – not just in Islington, but right across the country.
“It is only right that these men surrender the money they duped from unwitting victims.
“Thanks to the determination, tenacity and hard work of our trading standards and legal teams, all those who were ripped off are now due to get their money back.”
He added: “Prosecutions and confiscation orders like this are rare but vital in the fight for better standards in the private housing market, where tenants often spend large proportions of their income on rent and tenancy deposits.
“The court ruling sends the message loud and clear that we won't let rogue letting agents get away with ripping off their clients.”
If the money is not paid within three months Syed and Mashuk would each have to serve an extra 12 months' in jail, while Ali faces nine months' imprisonment.
They agreed a rent of £1300 with me, asked me to put down a deposit of £600 and then turned around said the rent is increased to £1400. I refused to take that number then asked for deposit back. There has no action of refund although senior management ...
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6
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“horrible experience me bf and i are now back living ......”
1 Star Review
Mar 07,2016
By:
'amy'
Mar 07,2016
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1516
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1516
Postcode: E1
9
people found
this helpful
horrible experience me bf and i are now back living in me parents front room !!! we moved to london to find jobs setup in a hotel and started looking for flat. and saw lovely flat advertised by crestons. since hotel was expensive we told agent ...
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Comment on agent fees
we got no service for high fees paid
9
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“I think all of the positive reviews about crestons have ......”
1 Star Review
Jan 22,2016
By:
'TBQ'
Jan 22,2016
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Rent PCM: £2000
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: GREE
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Rent PCM: £2000
Postcode: GREE
0
people found
this helpful
I think all of the positive reviews about crestons have been written by Crestons to fool people -SERIOUSLY DO NOT USE THEM THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY AND RUN...
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0
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Worst experience I've ever had with this incompetent letting agency. ......”
1 Star Review
Jan 20,2016
By:
'DO'
Jan 20,2016
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E2
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode: E2
11
people found
this helpful
Worst experience I've ever had with this incompetent letting agency. I was told I could move in on the day it was available; two weeks later, they are still completing reference checks and gave me absolutely no information regarding anything. They told me when I ...
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Comment on agent fees
Overpriced for an incompetent agency.
11
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“DO NOT USE THIS AGENCY! I have had the most ......”
1 Star Review
Jan 19,2016
By:
'London456'
Jan 19,2016
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E2
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: E2
0
people found
this helpful
DO NOT USE THIS AGENCY! I have had the most awful experience with Crestons. They have completely messed me around - I was told that flat would be available to move in on the day I wanted - I filled in a reference form etc. ...
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Comment on agent fees
Overpriced for an appallingly run agency - wasn't told about the fees until the day before I was due to move.
0
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“4 months later and have not returned holding deposit of £ 1520, never ......”
1 Star Review
Dec 11,2015
By:
'Ripped'
Dec 11,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode:
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode:
27
people found
this helpful
4 months later and have not returned holding deposit of £ 1520, never had intention of letting the property or returning the money.
Reported to both The Property Ombudsman and the Trading Standards,
Manager is Ibrahim Ali,
Brick lane was trading under Sirs Associates LTD but both Sirs ...
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27
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“DO NOT USE THIS AGENT. After paying a holding deposit ......”
1 Star Review
Dec 03,2015
By:
'Andrew'
Dec 03,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode: E1
14
people found
this helpful
DO NOT USE THIS AGENT. After paying a holding deposit of £840, the rental fell through as the landlord changed his mind. Fair enough. However over 3 months down the line, Crestons have still not returned the holding deposit. When contacted they always say it's up to ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
The agent should have refunded my holding deposit immediately.
Attached Filesnbsp;
14
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“We came to their office but they didn't have anything ......”
4 Star Review
Nov 26,2015
By:
'Meena'
Nov 26,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1516
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N7
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1516
Postcode: N7
0
people found
this helpful
We came to their office but they didn't have anything that would suit us (I wanted to have a balcony - my partner smokes); but they called two weeks later and got us a nice place. Overall ok....
read full review
Comment on agent fees
standard
0
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“They showed us three flats but they were not like ......”
3 Star Review
Nov 24,2015
By:
'carlos'
Nov 24,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1126
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N1
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1126
Postcode: N1
2
people found
this helpful
They showed us three flats but they were not like on the pictures so we were a bit disappointed but we were in a rush to get a place asap so we got a one bedroom flat;...
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Comment on agent fees
fees a bit too high
2
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“DO NOT USE!I am a prospective tenant who was ......”
1 Star Review
Nov 18,2015
By:
'L'
Nov 18,2015
Branch: London, 180 Royal College Street
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £2318
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: EC1R
Branch: London, 180 Royal College Street
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £2318
Postcode: EC1R
18
people found
this helpful
DO NOT USE!
I am a prospective tenant who was looking for properties and had seen two flats from Creston's that I liked. The first one, in Camden, upon inquiry about the property, I was given the runaround. I was told I could not get ...
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18
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“The flat was managed by Crestons. This is the worst ......”
1 Star Review
Nov 09,2015
By:
'Mohamad'
Nov 09,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: NW6
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: NW6
20
people found
this helpful
The flat was managed by Crestons. This is the worst agent in London , my full deposit has never been returned, however when I attended their office to demand it they offered to pay half only , administration fees never explained , never attended to any Repaire in ...
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20
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“OMG!! I cannot believe how such a terrible business can ......”
1 Star Review
Nov 07,2015
By:
'S.'
Nov 07,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Rent PCM: £2700
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: SE1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Rent PCM: £2700
Postcode: SE1
18
people found
this helpful
OMG!! I cannot believe how such a terrible business can actually continue trading.
I am a landlady and avertising my own properties on different wesites and Crestons contacted me claiming that they have tenants for me...the best tenants in the world...they are willing ...
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18
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“I am a landlord of a property in Kings Cross ......”
1 Star Review
Nov 05,2015
By:
'Jonathon'
Nov 05,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: N1
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Postcode: N1
20
people found
this helpful
I am a landlord of a property in Kings Cross and after many months of chasing Crestons they have still not paid me the rent they have collected from the tenants. They owe me circa ƒâ€š‚£4k but despite constant chasing by email and phone calls ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Pay us the rent you owe us which you are illegally withholding.
Attached Filesnbsp;
20
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“This is the second time that I have rented using ......”
4 Star Review
Nov 03,2015
By:
'Alamea'
Nov 03,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £160
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: E1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £160
Postcode: E1
0
people found
this helpful
This is the second time that I have rented using Crestons. The first time I was new to Shoreditch; I would like to mention Stefano – he was really helpful and got me a lovely studio; I don't remember the agent I used the first time ...
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Comment on agent fees
fees ok
0
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Avoid business with these agents at all times! At first ......”
1 Star Review
Oct 01,2015
By:
'Avoid'
Oct 01,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £800
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £800
Postcode: E1
13
people found
this helpful
Avoid business with these agents at all times! At first it started off okay, the viewings were normal and the agency looked fine. After having viewed a place, we paid a holding deposit. This is where it all began. They wanted us to do things ...
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
The agent did not disclose all fees from the beginning, even though he is legally obligated to disclose all fees from the beginning. Also, the admin fee turned out to be remarkably high.
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
The agent did not disclose all fees from the beginning, even though he is legally obligated to disclose all fees from the beginning. Also, the admin fee turned out to be remarkably high.
13
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Absolutely Crooks! The worst. I have paid in advance three ......”
1 Star Review
Sep 22,2015
By:
'Emanuele'
Sep 22,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1278
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1278
Postcode: E1
14
people found
this helpful
Absolutely Crooks! The worst. I have paid in advance three months rent plus the deposit plus their fees from Italy. Once arrived, they told me that the house I have chosen from Italy was not available due to a safety problems (?????). The gave me the ...
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14
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“We are really happy with the service. We let our ......”
5 Star Review
Sep 10,2015
By:
'Steve'
Sep 10,2015
Branch: London, 180 Royal College Street
Services: Sales (as a Vendor)
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N1
Branch: London, 180 Royal College Street
Sales (as a Vendor)
Postcode: N1
3
people found
this helpful
We are really happy with the service. We let our flat through them for over three years and now we've just sold it through them. All the information we received was always accurate, they were professional but never pushy. I would also like to mention ...
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3
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Crestons is a real estate agency composed of CR***S. ......”
1 Star Review
Sep 10,2015
By:
'CamilleVicente'
Sep 10,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: N01
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: N01
12
people found
this helpful
Crestons is a real estate agency composed of CR***S. It's been one year since I left my flat renting in London and I am still waiting for my deposit to be return to me. No explanations, they do not respond to my emails or ...
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Be honest and good.
Attached Filesnbsp;
12
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Absolute thieves. They take your deposit without passing it on ......”
1 Star Review
Aug 20,2015
By:
'Brian'
Aug 20,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: N1
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode: N1
9
people found
this helpful
Absolute thieves. They take your deposit without passing it on to a 3rd party, and then refuse to hand it back. Taken to court, they were told to pay it back but still waiting. Can't get it back via bailiffs as nothing to seize in ...
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9
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“I am the landlord of a property in Kings Cross ......”
1 Star Review
Aug 04,2015
By:
'Mr'
Aug 04,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Rent PCM: £1900
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: N1
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Rent PCM: £1900
Postcode: N1
11
people found
this helpful
I am the landlord of a property in Kings Cross let and managed by Crestons . I signed terms and conditions with them this year which provides for Crestons in the normal way to pay me net rent received by them as managing agents from the ...
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11
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Started out so promising, secured high rent but about three ......”
1 Star Review
Jun 15,2015
By:
'Irene'
Jun 15,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Postcode: E1
11
people found
this helpful
Started out so promising, secured high rent but about three months into tenancy problems began Crestons late paying rent to me every month, once almost four weeks late. Emails ignored, promises made during phone calls broken, reception staff clearly instructed to take a message - ...
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Operate like a proper British business.
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
High
11
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Never use this comany.These where by far the worst ......”
1 Star Review
Jun 04,2015
By:
'Do'
Jun 04,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: EC1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: EC1
12
people found
this helpful
Never use this comany.
These where by far the worst company i have ever dealt with. They never respond to emails, and trying to get our deposit back was like tryig to draw blood from a stone. It was only when we threatened legal action ...
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12
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“My daughter rented a room (crowndale Court), they wanted her ......”
1 Star Review
May 27,2015
By:
'Elena'
May 27,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £800
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: NW1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £800
Postcode: NW1
11
people found
this helpful
My daughter rented a room (crowndale Court), they wanted her to pay in advace (because she is a student), right after that they said the appartment should be renovated, she left and never got here Money back!...
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
return money
Attached Filesnbsp;
11
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Rented a 2 bed flat in E1 and have a poor ......”
1 Star Review
Apr 13,2015
By:
'F.C.'
Apr 13,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1500
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1500
Postcode: E1
17
people found
this helpful
Rented a 2 bed flat in E1 and have a poor experience with them. Our experience is similar to many others documented on here - pushing back move in dates, failing to follow through on agreements, avoiding any correspondence in writing, ignoring emails or calls etc. ...
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Fees were initially given as ‚£700 for two people. We refused to pay this and they were halved, which does cause me to question how they calculate the fees at the outset. Fairly standard costs for contracts, renewing contracts etc of around ‚£100.
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
Fees were initially given as ‚£700 for two people. We refused to pay this and they were halved, which does cause me to question how they calculate the fees at the outset. Fairly standard costs for contracts, renewing contracts etc of around ‚£100.
17
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“We gave this estate agent £730 administration fee to take a ......”
1 Star Review
Apr 01,2015
By:
'LCC'
Apr 01,2015
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1581
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E3
Branch: London, 46 Brick lane
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1581
Postcode: E3
11
people found
this helpful
We gave this estate agent £730 administration fee to take a property off the market for us to rent. Three days later they called us back to say the property had already been rented before we put the deposit down. Over one week later I am ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
See above again!
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
See above again!
11
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Crestons have very good selection of flats. I have been ......”
5 Star Review
Mar 18,2015
By:
'Maria'
Mar 18,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1648
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N1
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1648
Postcode: N1
1
people found
this helpful
Crestons have very good selection of flats. I have been renting with them twice and they are very nice and helpful....
read full review
1
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“My journey with Crestons started 3 months ago. When I decided ......”
5 Star Review
Mar 11,2015
By:
'Jasmine'
Mar 11,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Sales (as a Vendor)
Sold price: £650000
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N1
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Sales (as a Vendor)
Sold price: £650000
Postcode: N1
0
people found
this helpful
My journey with Crestons started 3 months ago. When I decided to enlist their help in addition to the the other agents that I had been using for 9-months. I was beginning to despair as to whether I would ever sell my house as there were ...
read full review
Comment on agent fees
I was happy with the percentage paid as I dint have to pay for multiple agents, just sole agent.
0
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“This is the second time we instructed Crestons to let ......”
5 Star Review
Mar 06,2015
By:
'Mrs'
Mar 06,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N1
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Postcode: N1
1
people found
this helpful
This is the second time we instructed Crestons to let our London home, and they have done well again. We have found that Crestons to be transparent in explaining their fee structure and services offered as well as acting effectively as our gatekeeper by providing ...
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1
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Crestons estate agency are awful, awful!. We are landlords, and ......”
1 Star Review
Feb 16,2015
By:
'Angrylandlord'
Feb 16,2015
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: N7
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Postcode: N7
8
people found
this helpful
Crestons estate agency are awful, awful!. We are landlords, and they gave us the money that they owed us 4 months late. Syed Ahmed and his whole team (Ray, Shay Hoque) are terrible. They will start by being extremely rude on the phone, then will move ...
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8
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“The agent Shay Hoque not return the deposit. Don't reply ......”
1 Star Review
Dec 10,2014
By:
'Anonim'
Dec 10,2014
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: N19
Branch: London, 13 Caledonian Road
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: N19
7
people found
this helpful
The agent Shay Hoque not return the deposit. Don't reply the emails and only wants the money.They stole from me.
Is very bad agent.
Don't trust in Crestons, don't trust in Shay Hoque....
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
The agent Shay Hoque not return the deposit. Don't reply the emails and only wants the money.They stole!
Is very bad agent.
Don't trust in Crestons, don't trust in Shay Hoque.
Attached Filesnbsp;
7
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes