Crestons
City East, London, W9
1.7/5, 27 reviews
22% recommended
41% sales valuation accuracy
100% sales fee satisfaction
43% lettings valuation accuracy
30% lettings fee satisfaction



Property Features

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“Absolutely Crooks! The worst. I have paid in advance three ......”

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Sep 22,2015
Minithumbdown
Gian Marco
By: 'Emanuele'
Sep 22,2015
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 key of another house, old and noisy. Now the three months rent are terminated from July but they do not want to refund the deposit (£2310), plus the difference between the house I have chosen and the house they gave me (£1171) plus the last monthly rent which never has been paid to the Landlord (£1278) of the old and noisy house. Total £4759 unduly yet withheld.
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Opening Hours
Address

Crestons
46 Brick lane
Spitalfields,London
Greater London
W9 1QJ
020 7426 2006

Performance statistics
Services Valuation Accuracy Fees Satisfaction Min Price of property reviewed Max Price of property reviewed
Sales 41% 100% £320,000 £320,000
Lettings 43% 30% £400 £4,600
Review statistics
From Landlords From Tenants From Vendors From Buyers Other
1 2 5 12 0 0 0 1 0 6
Areas covered
Services offered
  • Sales
  • Lettings
  • Block Management
  • Surveys
  • Conveyancing
  • Mortgage Advice
Members of
Latest Properties

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“They agreed a rent of £1300 with me, asked me to ......”

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Sep 19,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'DON'T'
Sep 19,2016
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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“horrible experience me bf and i are now back living ......”

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Mar 07,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'amy'
Mar 07,2016
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
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By: Jason
Mar 07, 2016
View all comments (1)
Dear Amy, Please advise which propety this was as we do not even have you registered with us ...

“Worst experience I've ever had with this incompetent letting agency. ......”

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Jan 20,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'DO'
Jan 20,2016
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.
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“DO NOT USE THIS AGENCY! I have had the most ......”

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Jan 19,2016
Minithumbdown
By: 'London456'
Jan 19,2016
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.
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“4 months later and have not returned holding deposit of £ 1520, never ......”

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Dec 11,2015
Minithumbdown
By: 'Ripped'
Dec 11,2015
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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“DO NOT USE THIS AGENT. After paying a holding deposit ......”

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Dec 03,2015
Minithumbdown
Gian Marco
By: 'Andrew'
Dec 03,2015
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;
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“We came to their office but they didn't have anything ......”

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Nov 26,2015
Minithumbup
Mazin
By: 'Meena'
Nov 26,2015
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....
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Comment on agent fees
standard
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“OMG!! I cannot believe how such a terrible business can ......”

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Nov 07,2015
Minithumbdown
Mazen ??
By: 'S.'
Nov 07,2015
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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“This is the second time that I have rented using ......”

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Nov 03,2015
Minithumbup
Stefano
By: 'Alamea'
Nov 03,2015
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
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“Avoid business with these agents at all times! At first ......”

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Oct 01,2015
Minithumbdown
Aidid
By: 'Avoid'
Oct 01,2015
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 ...
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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.
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“Absolutely Crooks! The worst. I have paid in advance three ......”

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Sep 22,2015
Minithumbdown
Gian Marco
By: 'Emanuele'
Sep 22,2015
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 ...
read full review
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“Started out so promising, secured high rent but about three ......”

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Jun 15,2015
Minithumbdown
By: 'Irene'
Jun 15,2015
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 - ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Operate like a proper British business.
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
High
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“Never use this comany.These where by far the worst ......”

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Jun 04,2015
Minithumbdown
By: 'Do'
Jun 04,2015
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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“My daughter rented a room (crowndale Court), they wanted her ......”

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May 27,2015
Minithumbdown
By: 'Elena'
May 27,2015
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!...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
return money
Attached Filesnbsp;
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By: Private Rental Inspector
May 27, 2015
View all comments (1)
Advice to all prospective tenants, Do not pay any money to this agent. Demand to make payment direct to Landlord. During our investigations we have been informed by Landlords that they are not receiving the rentals as agreed and other services are abysmal. Crestons have ignored our communications and shown indifference when contacted. They are not a member of any professional or fair practice scheme. ...

“Rented a 2 bed flat in E1 and have a poor ......”

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Apr 13,2015
Minithumbdown
Ibrahim
By: 'F.C.'
Apr 13,2015
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. ...
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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.
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By: F.C. MacOxby
Mar 02, 2016
View all comments (3)
Clicking select files to upload just posted the comment so here is a link: http://imgur.com/a/D5YMp. When we pushed for them to come and see it, someone came round in the middle of the day when we were both at work, opened every window in the flat including the ones which are accessible to anyone, and sent an email with information they had copied and pasted from a website about managing damp, as if that level of damp would relate to the steam from cooking in the kitchen. ...

“We gave this estate agent £730 administration fee to take a ......”

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Apr 01,2015
Minithumbdown
By: 'LCC'
Apr 01,2015
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!
Was this helpful? Yes
By: Sergiu
Jul 29, 2015
View all comments (2)
Hi, I am having exactly the same problem! I am proceeding with legal action this Monday. If other tenants are having the same problem maybe we can file a joint complaint / share the costs for the lawyer. Please leave a comment if you are interested and we can find a way to contact each other. ...

“I paid £1600 to Crestons as a sales resevation money for ......”

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Nov 20,2014
Minithumbdown
Jomar
By: 'Heneage'
Nov 20,2014
9 people found
this helpful
I paid £1600 to Crestons as a sales resevation money for a flat in East Lodnon. But Crestons sold the property to someone else and unbelievably they don't want to refund my reservation money of £1600. The detailed story is as per the below: I offered £320K ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
I'd like to have my reservation money back.
Attached Filesnbsp;
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“I have dealt with Shay on three separate occasions: initially ......”

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Oct 14,2014
Minithumbup
By: 'fjennings'
Oct 14,2014
9 people found
this helpful
I have dealt with Shay on three separate occasions: initially for a short-term let on a flat, which I later took up a long-term tenancy on and then renewed recently. Shay has been succinct and flexible in his dealings with me: he has quickly dealt ...
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Comment on agent fees
I understand that fees are high in London, however (as previously mentioned) I believe that Shay is committed to providing his dedicated clients with the best service possible without a premium and I have not felt ripped off by him at any point. I see the agency fees as a guarantee that I have a safety net of a committed agent and a pleasant tenancy.
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“BE VERY CAREFUL, I WOULDN'T EVEN GET NEAR THOSE GUYS, ......”

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Oct 10,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'Mehdi'
Oct 10,2014
8 people found
this helpful
BE VERY CAREFUL, I WOULDN'T EVEN GET NEAR THOSE GUYS, now you can have some reading: Looks cheap but ends up being an extremely expensive and unpleasant agency. This is the description of my full experience: Before getting into the flat - Was promised an ...
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“Shay was very polite and helped us find the property ......”

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Oct 08,2014
Minithumbup
By: 'Max'
Oct 08,2014
11 people found
this helpful
Shay was very polite and helped us find the property that we were looking for! As we were looking to get our foot into London as soon as possible, Shay went through every step and held our hand through the process. Any time I have ...
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“Our experience with Crestons was very unprofessional and disappointing. If ......”

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Aug 29,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'TT'
Aug 29,2014
7 people found
this helpful
Our experience with Crestons was very unprofessional and disappointing. If we had a chance to change agents, we would have done it the moment we were able to. However, as we already placed a large deposit down we had to endure the pain we had ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
We will never use Crestons again and will not recommend this agent to any of our family and friends. We're Australian citizens and working abroad and have many friends who are on a working visa constantly looking for a place to rent. My advice to them is to never deal with Crestons.
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
Don't mind the fees, it's not really a group savings. The issue was that we weren't told of what the indicative fees were, it's managing expectations and not throwing us a huge fee towards the end.
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By: Shelton
Sep 01, 2014
View all comments (1)
Dear Ms, Tu-Anh Trin, Thank you for for taking your time to write this detailed review. Please find my response below: First point, the administration fee, I would advice you to look around and see if you can find a cheaper cost for 4 tenants, we discounted £260 from the administration costs. Second point, when I first met Kevin, Kevin and Raymond, I did state that it was 1 month's rent upfront, SUBJECT TO REFERENCING, Kevin did however fail the credit score, therefore in order for ...

“They were rude, "*" and inefficient when we first came in ......”

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Jul 29,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'Rida'
Jul 29,2014
7 people found
this helpful
They were rude, "*" and inefficient when we first came in and looked for property. However the landlord was very cooperative and gave the full deposit back, yet Crestons managed to keep delaying the payment for more than 4 weeks and for no good reason. DO NOT ...
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“Honestly, read the below reviews and do not use this ......”

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Jun 10,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'Hannah'
Jun 10,2014
9 people found
this helpful
Honestly, read the below reviews and do not use this agent for letting or sales no matter how nice the property you are looking at seems. They need to get their practices up to an acceptable, let alone professional, standard. We still have not been ...
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By: Brian
Jun 23, 2014
View all comments (1)
Sorry to see you also getting this experience. You will be likely to waste days of effort and months of elapsed time trying to take legal action (and of course the money associated with doing this). A court order will eventually be issued but you will be able to seize no assets because they don't have any. You have probably lost your money. They are not unprofessional - they are just plain thieves. They will no doubt post a comment saying "this is not the experience you had, please contact ...

“"*"We have been lied to repeatedly. They have tried to ......”

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Jun 09,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'Aine'
Jun 09,2014
7 people found
this helpful
"*"We have been lied to repeatedly. They have tried to steal from us and cheat us out of our money. From the beginning the level of service was appalling. No replies to emails, or replying to one tenant and not the other (unaware of the ...
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“Plz do not use this agent.I'm international. This agent ......”

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Jun 05,2014
Minithumbdown
By: 'Rohannah'
Jun 05,2014
7 people found
this helpful
Plz do not use this agent. I'm international. This agent Shay hoque offered 3bd house it was not market price it's more expensive price. He also lied to landlord and me. I paid 6 month rent fee advance but one day, landlord said why didn't pay ...
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“Crestons are very efficient and helpful thoughtout. Shay was always ......”

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Mar 19,2014
Minithumbup
By: 'Florence'
Mar 19,2014
39 people found
this helpful
Crestons are very efficient and helpful thoughtout. Shay was always polite and enthusiastic, and he was good at keeping us in formed. Thank you....
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“We had a really good experience renting a property from ......”

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Jun 26,2013
Minithumbup
By: 'Emma'
Jun 26,2013
8 people found
this helpful
We had a really good experience renting a property from Crestons on brick lane. Shay was the employee we dealt with and we couldn't have asked for a better service. There were a few small changes we wanted regarding our flat and he was extremely ...
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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.

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No procedure available.

Awards won by Crestons, London W9 1QJ



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