Parkers Estate Agents
Reading, RG1
4.2/5, 126 reviews
84% recommended
86% sales valuation accuracy
88% sales fee satisfaction
75% lettings valuation accuracy
27% lettings fee satisfaction



Property Features


“Terrible experience from the offset with three viewings at the ......”

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Sep 05,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'REJ'
Sep 05,2014
12 people found
this helpful
Terrible experience from the offset with three viewings at the same time and no back garden keys!

I would warn all perspective customers to not put down an admin fee until a contract is in place. NEVER PAY THE ADMIN FEE UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE YOU MOVE IN. Parkers are not willing to refund unless you threaten legal action.I stood my ground and instead of losing £900 I got back £700.

Really rude chap by the name of Mark, I actually got great pleasure in our email war.

Bottom line is if they try to take a FULL NON REFUNDABLE deposit off you; they said pay admin and holding fee together. They shouldn't be doing this.

I then changed my mind on the property after second viewing as garden and lean too were dire (they didn't have the full set of keys on first time) to be told I would lose all my monies paid £900 and the landlord doesn't have to clean as the deal has been 'tied up'.

This gives you an idea of the type of sales outfit they are running - 'tied up' what legal term is that!!

So I sought legal advice and I was right, Mark was wrong. Parkers have no right to keep £900 of my money, only a proportion towards costs incurred. You can ask for your data file and see the work they have done to date on your application.

Can you imagine if I didn't fight this! I would be £900 lighter.

If the deposit/holding fee is kept and you do not take the property they cannot keep 100% of the whole amount unless they have accrued costs. Basically if the sum you have paid is more than Parkers/landlord losses they shouldn't be double profiting.

When talking to other letting agents they were SHOCKED at the TERRIBLE service I had received. I paid my monies in good will and told I wouldn't my £900 holding fee and admin fee back.

Mark needs to understand contracts and commercials; in fact the tenancy application form needs rewriting! Its completely non water tight and was laughed at by my contracts team. Hence why I wasn't standing down.

I would highly recommend not to use Parkers or snooty Mark who is far from courteous!

Moreover, the email war was so funny when Mark had to ask his boss for permission and made an offer of 50% of what I had paid, had the cheek to try and call my bluff. Saying if I wasn't willing to accept their offer then he would pass me on complaints procedure!!

Been laughing all day in the office as I have already contacted the TPO to log a formal complaint!!

Oh well all is well that ends well and I'm spreading the word fast.

DO NOT USE PARKERS.

Love social mailbox which hits 2,500 people.

I hope my message gets out there.

Oh and Thanks Parkers for the experience, you should learn a lesson from this as I have!
What agent could do to change your mind?
If Mark had the decency to call and explain rather than almost take pleasure in taking ‚£900 from a customer. He didn't even try, in fact his emails were rude. My legal representative said I have an even stronger case because of his lack of etiquette. Its a shame as one bad apple brings down a whole team. Could of been such a different outcome.
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
I still do not understand why I was asked to pay both admin and holding at same time. I wouldn't do it again, and any holding fee I put down I will make sure ALL or part is refundable. Totally unreasonable to take an admin fee of a customer when they haven't commenced referencing or letting contract. Bonkers and after investigation not normal practise.
Was this helpful? Yes
By: Craig Pearson
Sep 05, 2014
Hi Rebecca
I would like to take the opportunity to respond to your negative comments having discussed the situation at length with Mark.
Our version of the event are that you viewed the property initially, visited our office immediately (very excitedly I’d like to add) to secure the property and then decided to pay a holding deposit once Mark had agreed the let with the landlord. You also chose to pay the tenancy set up fee at the same time you paid the holding deposit. All the intimal paperwork was then drawn up and signed ready for references to commence to meet the move in date you had requested when offering.
The fact that you then drew up a list of requests after second viewing a few days later which the landlord was not prepared to accommodate is no fault of Parkers or Mark. If you had requested to second view the property prior to securing the property this issue would never have arisen.
It seems you have a particular desire to attempt to damage our reputation, despite coming to a mutual agreement on returning the majority of monies paid to you. As you will see from the vast majority of our reviews on All Agents, we have a lot of very satisfied customers. I’m afraid to say it seems your dissatisfaction is down to a mistake on your part in securing a property without being sure it was correct for you.
I would like to add that Mark has worked at Parkers for many years and has built a fantastic relationship with many of his clients.
We will of course take on board your comments that a call would have been preferable to email and thank you for this feedback.
If you would like to discuss anything further please do not hesitate to contact me.
Craig Pearson
Managing Director

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Opening Hours
Address

Parkers Estate Agents
25-26 Market place
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 2DG
0118 957 5455

Performance statistics
Services Valuation Accuracy Fees Satisfaction Min Price of property reviewed Max Price of property reviewed
Sales 86% 88% £146,500 £270,000
Lettings 75% 27% £700 £1,400
Review statistics
From Landlords From Tenants From Vendors From Buyers Other
32 0 17 12 29 1 19 1 9 6
Areas covered
Services offered
  • Sales
  • Lettings
  • Block Management
  • Surveys
  • Conveyancing
  • Mortgage Advice
Members of
NAEA ARLA TPOS Sales TPOS Lettings
Latest Properties

No Properties

“I have no idea how it is possible to make a s......”

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Jan 23,2021
Minithumbdown
By: 'Jo'
Jan 23,2021
2 people found
this helpful
I have no idea how it is possible to make a straight forward landlord-to-landlord purchase as lengthy as this. Nine months for a simple, no-chain flat purchase, with funds in place and ready to go. As the buyer, I probably did benefit from the appalling ...
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Was this helpful? Yes
By: Damien Glowacki
Jan 25, 2021
View all comments (1)
Hi Jo Thank you for taking the time to review our services. Whilst I appreciate your frustration that the transaction has been ongoing for almost 6 months now, I do feel it is important to highlight that the delay is completely out of our hands. The company that need to be contacted in relation to the enquiries raised by your solicitor do not have a telephone number or email address, meaning all correspondence has to be sent by post. With many people working from home due to the coronaviru ...

“Poor Service...”

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Oct 28,2020
Minithumbdown
By: 'Harry'
Oct 28,2020
2 people found
this helpful
Was a tenant with Parkers for a number of years. Avoid this company at all cost. The property was let to us in a horrific state and the property manager failed to respond on a number of occasions. When the property moved from Samuel James ...
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Was this helpful? Yes

“Totally unprofessional...”

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Aug 21,2020
Minithumbdown
By: 'Naeem'
Aug 21,2020
2 people found
this helpful
Totally unprofessional. Did not turn up to viewing after making appointment. Didn't even bother to call. Finally called back 2 days later and got the wrong name and asked how the viewing went. Totally clueless. There are much better estate agents in Reading so I would ...
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Was this helpful? Yes

“stinking, moldy extremely unhygienic property...”

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Aug 13,2019
Minithumbdown
By: 'tejas'
Aug 13,2019
6 people found
this helpful
I was handed over a stinking, moldy extremely unhygienic property. Moreover despite of explaining the problem several times, I am hardly getting any solution. These guys are not even ready to accept their mistake and just leaving me and my family to suffer....
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Attachments

Review file
Was this helpful? Yes

“Parker's are brilliant. They recently sold my house in ten days. Kate took me through the whole process and took fabulous photos....”

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Dec 06,2018
Minithumbup
Kate
By: 'Maggie'
Dec 06,2018
0 people found
this helpful
Nothing was too much trouble. Once the sale was done, Somer worked tirelessly to liaison and chase up the progress with solicitors. I cannot thank Parker's enough, they changed a mundane task into a brilliant experience. Very special thanks to Kate and Somer...
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Comment on agent fees
Fees worth every penny
Was this helpful? Yes

“I was a tenant who paid the checkin chages, but ......”

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Oct 02,2018
Minithumbdown
Mark
By: 'TTK'
Oct 02,2018
8 people found
this helpful
I was a tenant who paid the checkin chages, but got the house in a shabby conditions with a 70page report of all the issues. The basic health and safety was compromised and there was no inspection carriedout. My kids fell sick because of dust ...
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Comment on agent fees
Bad- Agent fees is only rip off and they hardly do anything
Was this helpful? Yes

“First class service...”

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Aug 15,2018
Minithumbup
Sophie
By: 'Shirley'
Aug 15,2018
0 people found
this helpful
We purchased our first rental property through Parker's over 10 years ago and have remained with them as our letting agents ever since. We have always found their service extremely prompt and efficient, dealing with any issues between Tenant/s and Landlord without delay. Sophie is ...
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Comment on agent fees
Good
Was this helpful? Yes

“Unhappy and overcharged tenants...”

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Aug 06,2018
Minithumbdown
By: 'Louise'
Aug 06,2018
10 people found
this helpful
We rented a flat through Parkers and stayed for two years as we paid relatively low rent for Reading. The initial letting process was easy though the fees were expensive (with an extra charge tacked on to what we were initially told it would be ...
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Comment on agent fees
Very expensive, more than £100 to renew a contract, £30 referencing fee when we moved out and check out fee.
Was this helpful? Yes

“Went downhill...”

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Jun 04,2018
Minithumbdown
By: 'T'
Jun 04,2018
11 people found
this helpful
When I first started renting with Parkers they seemed pretty good but over the years their standards have definitely slipped. They took far too long to carry out repairs. I spent two weeks in the middle of winter without a working boiler (and I had ...
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Comment on agent fees
Very high.
Was this helpful? Yes

“I recently used Parker's to sell my property. I wouldn't ......”

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Feb 04,2018
Minithumbup
Somer
By: 'Ruth'
Feb 04,2018
0 people found
this helpful
I recently used Parker's to sell my property. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to others. I found them to be honest, pragmatic and very efficient. They know the Reading market well, gave me sound advice on the valuation and managed visits with minimal fuss ...
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Comment on agent fees
Negotiable
Was this helpful? Yes

“My house was taking a long time to sell and ......”

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Dec 08,2017
Minithumbdown
Ben
By: 'Sarah'
Dec 08,2017
12 people found
this helpful
My house was taking a long time to sell and Parkers approached us to assist. On initial contact the context given by their representative was regarding entering into a joint agency agreement with the other agent, and that's what we understood we were entering into. ...
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Comment on agent fees
In line with the market.
Was this helpful? Yes
By: Julie
Jan 25, 2018
View all comments (1)
I agree with your comments. They are not professional agents. They have lied to me, and tried to intimidate me and indeed also have been aggressive. I buy and sell properties all the time and have never come across an agent so disrespectful and devious as this particular one. ...

“We have been landlords with Parkers Lettings for some time ......”

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Sep 08,2017
Minithumbup
Mark
By: 'Long'
Sep 08,2017
0 people found
this helpful
We have been landlords with Parkers Lettings for some time now. Having just registered a new property for letting with them I am again really pleased with the service Mark Brooker and his team have given. They were efficient and realiable offering guidance and advice ...
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Comment on agent fees
Always open to suggestions.
Was this helpful? Yes

“Absolutely dreadful company to rent with. I moved in to ......”

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Aug 07,2017
Minithumbdown
By: 'Dm'
Aug 07,2017
13 people found
this helpful
Absolutely dreadful company to rent with. I moved in to one of their properties with my partner last year and it wasn't exactly a fantastic standard... scuffs on the walls, chipped door frames, the cover for the extract fan came out and hit me on ...
read full review
Was this helpful? Yes
By: Louise
Sep 07, 2018
View all comments (1)
Almost exactly the same experience we had, rented a flat that was in poor condition and not cleaned before we moved in and we were then charged for 'dust on carpet under door' when we moved out 2 years later. Total rip off and a shame to hear we're not the only ones. Awful. ...

“This is not a good agent I would advise prospective ......”

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Nov 25,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'Sioban'
Nov 25,2016
11 people found
this helpful
This is not a good agent I would advise prospective tenants and landlords to stay away from them. They remind me of little Apprentice candidates in there Top Man suits with that awful I am a ruthless little businessman attitude . They try to intimidate with ...
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Comment on agent fees
Excessive and overpriced given that
Was this helpful? Yes

“I have rented with a few agencies before I bought ......”

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Jul 15,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'marketplace'
Jul 15,2016
11 people found
this helpful
I have rented with a few agencies before I bought my house and Parkers was the worst in an average low quality community. I was not happy with them during the tenure of my contract but the worst came when I told them I was ...
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Was this helpful? Yes
By: Mark Brooker
Jul 15, 2016
View all comments (1)
Thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns. As the Lettings Director for Parkers, your comments are of great concern to me and I would be grateful if you could contact me on 0118 957 5455 to discuss your complaint in more detail. Many Thanks. ...

“Arrogant and completely self-serving.Parkers listed a property I was ......”

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Jul 06,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'Gary'
Jul 06,2016
12 people found
this helpful
Arrogant and completely self-serving. Parkers listed a property I was interested in, but when I called to arrange a viewing it was confirmed I was not allowed to as I had sold through Purple Bricks. When I challenged this it was down to purple bricks ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Live up to this claim. "Call us today or book online below for your free no obligation valuation and see what makes Parkers the right choice when it comes to marketing your home."
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
Live up to this claim. "Call us today or book online below for your free no obligation valuation and see what makes Parkers the right choice when it comes to marketing your home."
Was this helpful? Yes

“Sophie is not a professional in her approach to handling ......”

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May 12,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'A'
May 12,2016
9 people found
this helpful
Sophie is not a professional in her approach to handling issues which is rather sad. I have decided not to bother contacting her with any issues I have as she lacks empathy and is not helpful. Her people skills are very poor. I shouldn't be ...
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Was this helpful? Yes

“Parkers reading agents are not good agency to search for ......”

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May 06,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'Ophelia'
May 06,2016
10 people found
this helpful
Parkers reading agents are not good agency to search for room. Staff are not helpful at at all and their are very high not good for any one to go there...
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Comment on agent fees
Very very bad
Was this helpful? Yes

“Absolutely extortionate fees that are repeatedly asked for at every ......”

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Apr 07,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'Unhappy'
Apr 07,2016
10 people found
this helpful
Absolutely extortionate fees that are repeatedly asked for at every opportunity from tenants, including over £100 for a tenancy renewal and hundreds of pounds in admin fees at the start an end of a tenancy. No willingness to consider reasonableness or fairness of these fees and ...
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Comment on agent fees
Far too high
Was this helpful? Yes

“Years back Parkers had a terrible reputation in Reading. Having ......”

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Nov 02,2014
Minithumbup
Damian
By: 'Christine'
Nov 02,2014
0 people found
this helpful
Years back Parkers had a terrible reputation in Reading. Having spoken to three prospective estate agents re the sale of my property and not being happy with any of them, I took my daughters advice and tried Parkers, who she had used successfully 2 years ago. ...
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Was this helpful? Yes

“We have used Parkers for 5 years as purchasers, landlords and ......”

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Oct 09,2014
Minithumbup
Sophie
By: 'Very'
Oct 09,2014
0 people found
this helpful
We have used Parkers for 5 years as purchasers, landlords and then as vendors. We have had an excellent service from them and would highly recommend them as estate agents. They have always stayed in very regular contact with us and made renting out our property ...
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Comment on agent fees
Average for selling properties, after looking up online.
Was this helpful? Yes

“I have been dealing with Parkers - Market Place in ......”

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Oct 05,2014
Minithumbup
By: 'Axel'
Oct 05,2014
0 people found
this helpful
I have been dealing with Parkers - Market Place in Reading for quite a few years in the purchasing and letting of BTL's. I wouldn't go anywhere else. Parkers has always shown a lot of dedication. They are efficient, knowledgeable, perseverant, very much client oriented ...
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Comment on agent fees
Competitive.
Was this helpful? Yes

“Terrible experience from the offset with three viewings at the ......”

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Sep 05,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'REJ'
Sep 05,2014
12 people found
this helpful
Terrible experience from the offset with three viewings at the same time and no back garden keys! I would warn all perspective customers to not put down an admin fee until a contract is in place. NEVER PAY THE ADMIN FEE UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE ...
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
If Mark had the decency to call and explain rather than almost take pleasure in taking ‚£900 from a customer. He didn't even try, in fact his emails were rude. My legal representative said I have an even stronger case because of his lack of etiquette. Its a shame as one bad apple brings down a whole team. Could of been such a different outcome.
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
I still do not understand why I was asked to pay both admin and holding at same time. I wouldn't do it again, and any holding fee I put down I will make sure ALL or part is refundable. Totally unreasonable to take an admin fee of a customer when they haven't commenced referencing or letting contract. Bonkers and after investigation not normal practise.
Was this helpful? Yes
By: Craig Pearson
Sep 05, 2014
View all comments (1)
Hi Rebecca I would like to take the opportunity to respond to your negative comments having discussed the situation at length with Mark. Our version of the event are that you viewed the property initially, visited our office immediately (very excitedly I’d like to add) to secure the property and then decided to pay a holding deposit once Mark had agreed the let with the landlord. You also chose to pay the tenancy set up fee at the same time you paid the holding deposit. All the intimal ...

“It is largely thanks to Damien's efficiency and persistence that ......”

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Jul 21,2014
Minithumbup
Damian
By: 'Mike'
Jul 21,2014
0 people found
this helpful
It is largely thanks to Damien's efficiency and persistence that this apparently simple sale was pushed through to exchange and completion, despite a number of obstacles and delays that appeared along the way. I am pleased to wholeheartedly recommend Damien as a selling agent....
read full review
Was this helpful? Yes

“We are tenants and they are terrible. They give no ......”

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Jul 13,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'Unhappy'
Jul 13,2014
11 people found
this helpful
We are tenants and they are terrible. They give no notice about visits to our house (i.e. gas man / work men / house viewings) which leaves us in a awkward position when strangers walk through the door. At the beginning of the contract they got ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
- Tell us when you plan on letting people access our property - Stop being insistent that certain items are tenant obligations without even checking the contract
Attached Filesnbsp;
Was this helpful? Yes
By: Craig Pearson
Jul 14, 2014
View all comments (1)
im very confused regarding your complaint and would invite you to contact me Craig Pearson Managing Director at [email protected] we have a text message system and we back up all viewing appointments, if a contractor has entered your property without notice then im surprised you haven't contacted us to complain. when you supply your details to be referenced we have no control if you don't supply the information asked for at the start of the application process ? spelling mist ...

“Parkers have been letting my apartment for 4 years and I've ......”

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Apr 29,2014
Minithumbup
Sophie
By: 'Happy'
Apr 29,2014
0 people found
this helpful
Parkers have been letting my apartment for 4 years and I've been very happy so far. They've been very helpful fully managing the property, very effective finding tenants, so that my property wasn't vacant for long in between the tenancies and yet felt comfotable that my ...
read full review
Was this helpful? Yes

“I pride myself on being straight forward to deal with ......”

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Mar 21,2013
Minithumbup
Damian
By: 'ian'
Mar 21,2013
1 people found
this helpful
I pride myself on being straight forward to deal with and my word is my bond. I have to say both Damien and Mark dealt with the purchase in the same manner. Buying a property is never easy and different agents act is different ways. ...
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Was this helpful? Yes

“Very helpful when I locked myself out of the flat ......”

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Mar 14,2013
Minithumbup
By: 'Ashley'
Mar 14,2013
0 people found
this helpful
Very helpful when I locked myself out of the flat and were more than happy to send an agent out with a master key to open door for me....
read full review
Was this helpful? Yes

“The service from Parkers was faultless. I received frequent updates ......”

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Mar 07,2013
Minithumbup
Mark
By: 'Brian'
Mar 07,2013
0 people found
this helpful
The service from Parkers was faultless. I received frequent updates whilst tenants were being sought and subsequently excellent tenants were found quickly. The administration side was also excellent and went very smoothly. Staff at Parkers were always pleasant and courteous and I will definitely use ...
read full review
Was this helpful? Yes
By: parkers estate agent
Mar 26, 2013
View all comments (1)
thank you for your comment ...

“I have rented out a property from parkers in reading ......”

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Mar 01,2013
Minithumbup
By: 'RS'
Mar 01,2013
0 people found
this helpful
I have rented out a property from parkers in reading for two years. I had a wonderful experience with them and the landlord they were helpful during the letting process since as a student not many agencies would want to deal with students but parkers ...
read full review
Was this helpful? Yes
By: parkers estate agents
Mar 26, 2013
View all comments (1)
thank you for your comment ...
No fees information available
Kindly note that legally, letting agents need to publish information about their tenancy fees, government-approved redress schemes and client money protection schemes on their website and on third party websites (on which agents are listed). For properties to lease/rent in England, agents need to keep this information up to date and precise on allAgents or specify within the property description.

Complaints Procedure

No procedure available.

Awards won by Parkers Estate Agents, Reading RG1 2DG



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