100% sales valuation accuracy
100% sales fee satisfaction
100% lettings valuation accuracy
63% lettings fee satisfaction
...left to get your reviews in for the
2024
allAgents People Awards
Mar 25,2016
Mar 25,2016
15
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The facade is decieving.
The old adage never judge a book by its cover, still holds true. Especially, when it comes to Leaders. But not in a good way. If you believe the brand name, high street presence and the modern look of it's agencies is an indication of good quality, think again. This is the shoddiest letting agent that I have had the displeasure of letting a property with for 2.5 years.
For a start, it is obvious that they do not consider tenants to be customers. Their primary obligation is to landlords. They think every tenant is Michael Keaton. No, not the one in the classic 1989 version of Batman or the recent movie where he had wings for a second time: Birdman. The movie I'm talking about is the one where Michael Keaton is a tenant: Pacific Heights.
I could write a book about the poor quality service provided by Leaders but I really don't have the time. I will detail the 4 main issues below:
1. Unlawful eviction and invalid service of s21 notice;
With Leaders whether you have an agreement in place or not, the date they try to evict you will always be a surprise. In November 2015, Leaders on behalf of the landlord, We Are It Limited, agreed to extend the tenancy until 15 July 2016. We hear nothing further from them until January 2016 when they send out a supplementary tenancy agreement to be signed. On 13 January 2016 in an e-mail, they confirm again that the tenancy has been extended to 15 July 2016.
On 15 January 2016, we posted back the supplementary signed tenancy agreement, believing that we could stay in the property until 15 July 2016. Two working days later, on 18 January 2016, they served s21 notice requesting possession of the property 3 months early, by 15 April 2016.
They say they served notice because they did not receive the signed supplementary tenancy agreement. Hello, what difference does it make? None, because the agreement was reached in November, and you only sent out the agreement so you could charge a renewal fee which you previously agreed to waive. I think it must have been the postman's fault for not delivering the agreement in time. Any normal** would have checked with the tenants as to whether they had posted it back but not Leaders, they serve s21 notices without checking.
If you complain, they will threaten court action, thinking it will intimidate you. If you threaten court action back, they will say: oh you can stay if you like, 6 months longer, maybe even a year. No thanks, we would rather say bye bye to Leaders.
If you want security of tenure, do not rent a property with Leaders. If you want to live in a property in peace and comfort, do not rent with Leaders. If you want to pay extortionate fees and not know what those fees are for, rent with Leaders. If you want a*** s21 notice without carrying out the proper checks, rent with Leaders.
A claim under the Protection from Eviction Act is probably the next step to consider.
2. No hot water;
In 2.5 years for at least 4 weeks we have been left without hot water. Hello Leaders, no hot water. We'll get it fixed. Hello again Leaders, it's been a week still no hot water, I'm getting tired of going to the gym to shower. On and on and on it goes.
On two occasions, it's taken about two weeks to get the hot water fixed. We had to say we would stop paying rent before they would actually fix it. But we never missed a rent payment and to resolve the situation Leaders agreed to pay £90 compensation. They say it was the landlord company, We Are It Limited, that paid the compensation, but who knows.
3. Claiming charges wrongly or without justification.
Hello Leaders, you have sent us an invoice saying we have to pay £60 renewal fee. You told us that we did not have to pay that. No, we didn't, have you got proof. You told us on the telephone. Well, we have no record of that call. Oh, actually here's an e-mail where you confirm we don't have to pay the fee. Oh, sorry, our mistake, you don't have to pay it.
Leaders you charged us a check out fee on check in for £90 and told us it would be used for a professional clean on check out. No, we didn't it's for the checkout process not for a professional clean. Really, that's not what the guy told us when we signed the agreement on check in. Oh, and the paper work does not specify what the £90 was for.
4. Sending out rent arrears statement in error, probably on purpose.
Hello Leaders, you have sent us a rent arrears statement. We have never missed a rent payment. In fact, we have overpaid our rent. Sorry, we apologise for that. Really, you sure you didn't send it out on purpose because we complained about you trying to wrongly evict is. No response.
4. Generally poor customer service and an inability of staff to communicate respectfully and courteously.
If the above is not enough to convince you that you will get a shoddy service from Leaders, nothing will. With the exception of one person, every single person at Leaders that I came into contact with lacked * respect or manners. They really must think that every tenant is Michael Keaton. Leaders, there are decent tenants out there.****
For those that are already renting with Leaders, unlucky. For those that have not yet signed up, stay well away. It will be the best decision you ever make.
Fellow tenants, I wish you well. And good luck finding a decent landlord and letting agent. The last landlord we had. 5 years in the same property, couldn't ask for a better landlord. That was renting privately, though. Letting agents like Leaders, never again. Lesson learnt.
The old adage never judge a book by its cover, still holds true. Especially, when it comes to Leaders. But not in a good way. If you believe the brand name, high street presence and the modern look of it's agencies is an indication of good quality, think again. This is the shoddiest letting agent that I have had the displeasure of letting a property with for 2.5 years.
For a start, it is obvious that they do not consider tenants to be customers. Their primary obligation is to landlords. They think every tenant is Michael Keaton. No, not the one in the classic 1989 version of Batman or the recent movie where he had wings for a second time: Birdman. The movie I'm talking about is the one where Michael Keaton is a tenant: Pacific Heights.
I could write a book about the poor quality service provided by Leaders but I really don't have the time. I will detail the 4 main issues below:
1. Unlawful eviction and invalid service of s21 notice;
With Leaders whether you have an agreement in place or not, the date they try to evict you will always be a surprise. In November 2015, Leaders on behalf of the landlord, We Are It Limited, agreed to extend the tenancy until 15 July 2016. We hear nothing further from them until January 2016 when they send out a supplementary tenancy agreement to be signed. On 13 January 2016 in an e-mail, they confirm again that the tenancy has been extended to 15 July 2016.
On 15 January 2016, we posted back the supplementary signed tenancy agreement, believing that we could stay in the property until 15 July 2016. Two working days later, on 18 January 2016, they served s21 notice requesting possession of the property 3 months early, by 15 April 2016.
They say they served notice because they did not receive the signed supplementary tenancy agreement. Hello, what difference does it make? None, because the agreement was reached in November, and you only sent out the agreement so you could charge a renewal fee which you previously agreed to waive. I think it must have been the postman's fault for not delivering the agreement in time. Any normal** would have checked with the tenants as to whether they had posted it back but not Leaders, they serve s21 notices without checking.
If you complain, they will threaten court action, thinking it will intimidate you. If you threaten court action back, they will say: oh you can stay if you like, 6 months longer, maybe even a year. No thanks, we would rather say bye bye to Leaders.
If you want security of tenure, do not rent a property with Leaders. If you want to live in a property in peace and comfort, do not rent with Leaders. If you want to pay extortionate fees and not know what those fees are for, rent with Leaders. If you want a*** s21 notice without carrying out the proper checks, rent with Leaders.
A claim under the Protection from Eviction Act is probably the next step to consider.
2. No hot water;
In 2.5 years for at least 4 weeks we have been left without hot water. Hello Leaders, no hot water. We'll get it fixed. Hello again Leaders, it's been a week still no hot water, I'm getting tired of going to the gym to shower. On and on and on it goes.
On two occasions, it's taken about two weeks to get the hot water fixed. We had to say we would stop paying rent before they would actually fix it. But we never missed a rent payment and to resolve the situation Leaders agreed to pay £90 compensation. They say it was the landlord company, We Are It Limited, that paid the compensation, but who knows.
3. Claiming charges wrongly or without justification.
Hello Leaders, you have sent us an invoice saying we have to pay £60 renewal fee. You told us that we did not have to pay that. No, we didn't, have you got proof. You told us on the telephone. Well, we have no record of that call. Oh, actually here's an e-mail where you confirm we don't have to pay the fee. Oh, sorry, our mistake, you don't have to pay it.
Leaders you charged us a check out fee on check in for £90 and told us it would be used for a professional clean on check out. No, we didn't it's for the checkout process not for a professional clean. Really, that's not what the guy told us when we signed the agreement on check in. Oh, and the paper work does not specify what the £90 was for.
4. Sending out rent arrears statement in error, probably on purpose.
Hello Leaders, you have sent us a rent arrears statement. We have never missed a rent payment. In fact, we have overpaid our rent. Sorry, we apologise for that. Really, you sure you didn't send it out on purpose because we complained about you trying to wrongly evict is. No response.
4. Generally poor customer service and an inability of staff to communicate respectfully and courteously.
If the above is not enough to convince you that you will get a shoddy service from Leaders, nothing will. With the exception of one person, every single person at Leaders that I came into contact with lacked * respect or manners. They really must think that every tenant is Michael Keaton. Leaders, there are decent tenants out there.****
For those that are already renting with Leaders, unlucky. For those that have not yet signed up, stay well away. It will be the best decision you ever make.
Fellow tenants, I wish you well. And good luck finding a decent landlord and letting agent. The last landlord we had. 5 years in the same property, couldn't ask for a better landlord. That was renting privately, though. Letting agents like Leaders, never again. Lesson learnt.
Comment on agent fees
Bad. Real bad. They don't even tell you what the fees are for.
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Agent Response / Add a Comment
You can use this form to reply to the above review or a displayed comment on the above review.
Browse popular links for estate agents, letting agents and properties nearby
Latest Reviews
24th Sep 2023
reviewed by 'Cynthia ejimnkeonye'
21st Aug 2023
reviewed by 'Robert'
3rd Mar 2023
reviewed by 'Abigail O.'
27th Feb 2023
reviewed by 'Prelyn'
1st Jul 2022
reviewed by 'Kris Williams'
1st Jul 2022
reviewed by 'Kris Williams'
Opening Hours
Address
Leaders
13 London Road
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 2AE
02380 633446
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 100% | 100% | £190,000 | £3,000,000 |
| Lettings | 100% | 63% | £425 | £1,275 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 4 | 20 | 22 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
Advertise on
Members of
Rankings
Overall
Overall
Latest Properties
No Properties
Sep 24,2023
Sep 24,2023
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Lucia is a good person, her customer service is the best I have ever seen...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Aug 21,2023
Aug 21,2023
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Had a problem with the boiler and Katie Downer handled the problem in minutes literally within 90 minutes the engineer was knocking at the door. Now that’s what I call a 5 star service. So if you have problems in your home, you know who to ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 03,2023
Mar 03,2023
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Always request for Ash Gleeson! He’s a great person! My husband and I have had to deal with several Letting negotiators in cumbersome renting processes but Ash made the same renting process pretty simple and easy. His communication and negotiation skills are exceptional. I ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Feb 27,2023
Feb 27,2023
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Ash Gleeson made the process simple and easy to understand for us, and we appreciated his patience and expertise. His insight was extremely valuable to us and I don't think we could have done this without him....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 01,2022
Jul 01,2022
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Great communication, very efficient and helpful with answering all questions and concerns I have had. Nothing was to much hassle....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 01,2022
Jul 01,2022
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Great communication, very efficient and helpful with answering all questions and concerns I have had. Nothing was to much hassle....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
May 25,2022
May 25,2022
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Ben Pick and Ash Gleeson are so helpful even when you have a tenant nothing is too much trouble.They go out of their way to do all they can...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Nov 29,2021
Nov 29,2021
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I dealt with Lauren Whitehead and she was very helpful and professional with everything I requested and more-Property management department...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Aug 12,2021
Aug 12,2021
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Horrible experience. Left broken furniture in an unfurnished flat that was taking up space and wasnt removed. No repairs including Health and safety issues. Had to live with a broken toilet, no exhaust fans in kitchen or bathroom. A piece of ceiling nearly fell on ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 13,2021
Jul 13,2021
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Just want to say thank you for brilliant service! all i wanted was some information/help as a landlord thats going through some issues the agency didn't mind talking to me and helping me understand what i need and can do.
will be returning to ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 07,2021
Jul 07,2021
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I would like to thank a gent called kai who dealt with helping me this morning,with my queries. Although I was firing questions at him and getting a bit high rate, he re assured me that the situation would be dealt with and he ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jun 23,2021
Jun 23,2021
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Finding a apartment to rent in Southampton with the help of Leaders has been a pleasant experience. Ashley is great with the quick replies and is overall very helpful....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jun 23,2021
Jun 23,2021
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I'm really happy with the service provided by Leaders. Ash has been really helpful and efficient through the whole process. A good, responsive and professional estate agent. I highly recommend him!...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 30,2021
Mar 30,2021
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Mark, Lizzie and the team at Leaders (and Irene the Move Manager) have been fantastic throughout our move despite having to deal with the worst conveyancing company in the country. Mark and Irene's patience to spend hours on hold to our buyers solicitor were much ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 18,2021
Mar 18,2021
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We had Sam show us around an apartment on East street and he was absolutely amazing! So professional and showed us all the details and answered all the questions we had. He was also quick to answer any of our queries over email. We were ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 18,2021
Mar 18,2021
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Thank you to all at Leaders, especially Mark! Since day 1 of selling my flat, Mark has been extremely professional, friendly, proactive, punctual and just a proper down to earth, honest person to deal with. He always replies to emails/answers his phone very quickly and ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Feb 08,2021
Feb 08,2021
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Amazing service, couldn't have been any more responsive to any of my requests or queries and were always sure to keep me aware with what was happening which was very helpful coming from a first time buyers POV. Highly recommend....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Oct 20,2020
Oct 20,2020
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Leaders have been fabulous, dealing with a complicated sale and a despairing seller - me! Mark and Jules have dealt with everything, professionally, kindly and with humour and tact! I can't say thank you enough to these guys....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Oct 08,2020
Oct 08,2020
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Really quick and efficient service, always accessible and willing to go the extra mile for us! Mark and Lizzie were both really great, even when the process was faltering, and I'd definitely work with Leaders again...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Oct 06,2020
Oct 06,2020
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
As a very busy landlord I have contacted Leaders after a very disappointing experience with another well known letting agency in Southampton. I have found the team at Leaders, specially Ben and Ash, very professional and helpful. They always answer the phone/emails and any ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Oct 05,2020
Oct 05,2020
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
From the viewing all the way through to completion I couldn't fault Leaders, they kept the deal together and I would be more than happy to work again with them....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Oct 01,2020
Oct 01,2020
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I have just read some of the reviews for Leaders in Southampton,Wow, I’m glad I didn’t read them before I went to Leaders, Otherwise I would not have used them, It’s been nothing but absolute pleasure dealing with them, I bought ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 30,2020
Sep 30,2020
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I cannot express how absolutely amazing Leaders have been with a very complicated sale.
Jules, Mark and Stef have gone above and beyond for us. We were kept well informed and supported with every hurdle we encountered.
It’s been a long road and i ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Oct 01, 2020
View all comments
(2)
Dean Harkness
I can assure you that this is not a fake review! It’s sincere and honest. I don’t know anything about your experience with Leaders! But i speak from my own... and have found them to be diligent, informative and very supportive during an extremely stressful time. Please do not use my review to express your feelings. ...
Jul 31,2020
Jul 31,2020
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
My experience with Leaders was NOT good. From first contact with them they repeatedly failed to call me as agreed, when things then didnt happen my end as fast as they would like threatened the loss of deposits, despit it being their own lateness that ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 14,2020
Jul 14,2020
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Let me introduce myself . I was dealing with Leaders in Southampton , Oceanvillage. I am Landlord for last 10 years. I have never come cross such a miserable service like Leaders . I am giving one star only because the system doesn't allow me to give minus 5 stars . ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 24,2019
Sep 24,2019
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I have rented a flat with Leaders in Southampton and Ashley Gleeson have been extremely responsive, proactive and professional. I would highly recommend this agency....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Dec 27,2018
Dec 27,2018
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I don't know where to begin. Such awful customer service.
They treat people on housing benefit like crap.
Lied to me over the phone.
Take everything personally. I was suspicious about something after having been lied to before and the man serving me was outraged ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Extortionate, especially for the terrible service.
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Nov 03,2018
Nov 03,2018
8
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Worst agency ever. We had just moved out leaving the property in a good state. It was given to us in a very bad condition. At the time I was pregnant and was suffering on how I will brough the baby to that unclean apartment. ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Nov 28, 2018
View all comments
(1)
Mari, this is exactly the experience my girlfriend and I had, we were living in a dangerous home and she was mid pregnancy. We have had to move twice now during pregnancy and as were currently in temporary we are going to have to move again. They have now sent us a £2500 bill and refused to pay deposit back. ...
Sep 13,2018
Sep 13,2018
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
To Megan in Leaders -
Thanks for all your help Megan, I must say you did a very good job during the process.
thanks
D Vandenberghe...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Good
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Aug 10,2018
Aug 10,2018
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We use Leaders to find tenants for our rental flats and have to say they are excellent at this. However, administratively they are absolutely terrible! They sneak in fees, try to charge the tenants for contract renewals that are not necessary and don't even mention ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
As above expensive and lots of 'hidden' fees that they try to get through. Make sure you tell tenants not to pay any contract renewal fees as they wont tell the landlord they are charging them!
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Aug 10, 2019
View all comments
(1)
Totally agree. They are excellent at finding tenants but absolutely awful administratively. ...
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.
Best Estate Agent in SO15 
Best Estate Agent in Southampton 
Best Letting Agent in Southampton 
