50% lettings valuation accuracy
56% lettings fee satisfaction
Nov 30,2020
Nov 30,2020
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
When we first visited the property, we were promised that certain things will be replaced or fixed such as new carpet, the downstairs toilet/bathroom. They already replaced the hallway carpet and told us every carpet will be replaced upon move in. They also had electricity repairs at the time on our visit but assured us that all the replacements & repairs will be done by our agreed move in date which was supposed to be the 1st September.
1st September came and they told us we can't move in yet. We had everything planned for our move and told them that. They offered us an apartment for a week till we can move in. At first I thought it was nice but then they charged us around 420£ for this one week. We could have stayed in a nice hotel for that amount. We were finally able and allowed to move in and noticed that the carpets and the downstairs bathroom wasn't fixed. Furthermore the kitchen hood didn't work. They assured us on the phone that the carpets would be replaced and the other issues fixed. Fast forward a few months later, we had asked about why the carpets weren't replaced yet and they said it was because we had a dog, they knew we had a dog upon moving in but then hanged their mind once we had all the contracts signed. The second bathroom wasn't useable until roughly a year later and in 3.5 years of renting they never fixed the stove hood...thought this was a lot? Wait..there is more, My upstairs bathroom had a leak in the shower that leaked into our kitchen causing black mold and algae that was also leaking into our neighbors house that's attached. It took the agency roughly a year to get this rectified, it took the airforce housing agencies involvement/my neighbours and my time to get this resolved. I have a cupboard door that over time the wood that its screwed into has begun to deteriorate and fell off so when they finally sent a repairman after months of hounding them he screwed it back intro stripped holes and fell out the next day. This was more than a year ago and they still didn't rectify the situation and now they are trying to charge me on my move out for the problem they would not fix. Here's another good one, the boiler in my house failed so they needed to replace it. Once they put the new boiler in (next to my kitchen sink) they left a massive piece of my wall with exposed electrical wires sitting on top of my counter not 8 inches from my sink. This never got fixed after a year of asking for them to fix EXPOSED ELECTRICAL CABLES!!! I also had floorboards coming up under the carpet, asked for for 2+ years to fix that, never got fixed. The bathroom did not have proper ventilation and began growing black mold everywhere and no matter how much I bleached it to kill it, it would never go away. I told them about this numerous times and eventually I developed health issues from it. They also tried to charge me 100 pounds for an outlet blowing saying my washer had blown the outlet when it was in fact their faulty wiring. It took me nearly 6 months for them to drop this claim, thank god I work in an electrician field or I would have never won. It took a detailed paragraph explaining how electricity works written by my supervisor amongst other NCO's to get them to drop this BS charge. I got another one for ya, so the lady who would inspect my house knows I have two well behaved dogs that she had no problem with, visited multiple times with them outside of their cage with no issues. My contract said that she could not enter the property to inspect if the dogs were not in cages, she broke this rule many times because she liked my dogs, then one time out of the blue near the end of my tenancy makes a report that she could not enter my house due to my dogs being out of their cages where as before she has done it many times against her own contract. They tried to charge me an admin fee because of it, then when I brought up the fact that they broke their own contract numerous times....what do you think happened? They dropped the charge. This is hands down the most snake-y agency I've ever dealt with by a LARGE margin, the only reason we stayed in the house is because we loved the location, it was perfectly in-between me and my girlfriends work. Everything else though was absolutely horrible. This is an agency that is all about money and will take any crumb they can get in any way possible. They look and sound like a bunch of nice people but trust when I say they are wolves in sheep's clothing. I have felt the need to write a review in my life until now, once again. STAY AWAY MILITARY MEMBERS AND CIVILIANS ALIKE!
1st September came and they told us we can't move in yet. We had everything planned for our move and told them that. They offered us an apartment for a week till we can move in. At first I thought it was nice but then they charged us around 420£ for this one week. We could have stayed in a nice hotel for that amount. We were finally able and allowed to move in and noticed that the carpets and the downstairs bathroom wasn't fixed. Furthermore the kitchen hood didn't work. They assured us on the phone that the carpets would be replaced and the other issues fixed. Fast forward a few months later, we had asked about why the carpets weren't replaced yet and they said it was because we had a dog, they knew we had a dog upon moving in but then hanged their mind once we had all the contracts signed. The second bathroom wasn't useable until roughly a year later and in 3.5 years of renting they never fixed the stove hood...thought this was a lot? Wait..there is more, My upstairs bathroom had a leak in the shower that leaked into our kitchen causing black mold and algae that was also leaking into our neighbors house that's attached. It took the agency roughly a year to get this rectified, it took the airforce housing agencies involvement/my neighbours and my time to get this resolved. I have a cupboard door that over time the wood that its screwed into has begun to deteriorate and fell off so when they finally sent a repairman after months of hounding them he screwed it back intro stripped holes and fell out the next day. This was more than a year ago and they still didn't rectify the situation and now they are trying to charge me on my move out for the problem they would not fix. Here's another good one, the boiler in my house failed so they needed to replace it. Once they put the new boiler in (next to my kitchen sink) they left a massive piece of my wall with exposed electrical wires sitting on top of my counter not 8 inches from my sink. This never got fixed after a year of asking for them to fix EXPOSED ELECTRICAL CABLES!!! I also had floorboards coming up under the carpet, asked for for 2+ years to fix that, never got fixed. The bathroom did not have proper ventilation and began growing black mold everywhere and no matter how much I bleached it to kill it, it would never go away. I told them about this numerous times and eventually I developed health issues from it. They also tried to charge me 100 pounds for an outlet blowing saying my washer had blown the outlet when it was in fact their faulty wiring. It took me nearly 6 months for them to drop this claim, thank god I work in an electrician field or I would have never won. It took a detailed paragraph explaining how electricity works written by my supervisor amongst other NCO's to get them to drop this BS charge. I got another one for ya, so the lady who would inspect my house knows I have two well behaved dogs that she had no problem with, visited multiple times with them outside of their cage with no issues. My contract said that she could not enter the property to inspect if the dogs were not in cages, she broke this rule many times because she liked my dogs, then one time out of the blue near the end of my tenancy makes a report that she could not enter my house due to my dogs being out of their cages where as before she has done it many times against her own contract. They tried to charge me an admin fee because of it, then when I brought up the fact that they broke their own contract numerous times....what do you think happened? They dropped the charge. This is hands down the most snake-y agency I've ever dealt with by a LARGE margin, the only reason we stayed in the house is because we loved the location, it was perfectly in-between me and my girlfriends work. Everything else though was absolutely horrible. This is an agency that is all about money and will take any crumb they can get in any way possible. They look and sound like a bunch of nice people but trust when I say they are wolves in sheep's clothing. I have felt the need to write a review in my life until now, once again. STAY AWAY MILITARY MEMBERS AND CIVILIANS ALIKE!
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
9th Jan 2024
reviewed by 'Nojeem'
3rd Nov 2023
reviewed by 'Kayla M'
22nd Sep 2023
reviewed by 'Eric Kan'
12th Apr 2022
reviewed by 'Nil'
7th Jul 2021
reviewed by 'Jonathan Pittock'
Opening Hours
Address
Maxine Lester Residential Lettings
12 Station Road
St Ives
Cambridgeshire
PE27 5BH
01480494939
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettings | 50% | 56% | £625 | £1,395 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Areas covered
- PE27
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
Advertise on
Members of
Rankings
Overall
Overall
Latest Properties
No Properties
Jan 09,2024
Jan 09,2024
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Olivia was fabulous throughout the course of my interaction with her. The first viewing of the property was secured within 30 minutes from when I made the first call. When I thought I needed to view the property again with my partner, Olivia happily secured an ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Nov 03,2023
Nov 03,2023
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
A very big thank you to both Olivia and Benjamin for helping me secure a beautiful rental accommodation. They kept me informed at every step of the process and were great to deal with....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Sep 22,2023
Sep 22,2023
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Unprofessional and dishonest estate agent!
When they ask about our income, we told all our income. They ask you to give holding deposit. Then they told you that they don’t count any overtime, bonus or other income. Finally they don’t let to you ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Apr 12,2022
Apr 12,2022
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Very discriminatory and dishonest. They will keep telling you lies like a perfectly sized 3 bedroom is too small for a family of 5. Sad!......................If you dislike injustice, spare yourself and use another letting agent. Seriously....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Apr 13, 2022
View all comments
(1)
I am sorry to receive your feedback, particularly as we have no record of speaking with you. If you let me know who spoke with us I can listen to the call recording to see how we may have been discriminatory or dishonest.
If you applied for one of the 3 bed houses we’ve advertised that is too small for a family of 5, we would tell you that. That honestly ensures we match you to an appropriate property that is not at risk of over-crowding. That protects you and is not dishonest or a lie.
...
Jan 05,2022
Jan 05,2022
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Absolutely professional , caring and helpful. Go out of their way to help and resolve any problems.
Cornavirus proved there expertise and professionalism....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 07,2021
Jul 07,2021
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We have been a long standing tenant at the property (10-15 years). An ongoing fault with the flooring/tiling at the property has been continuously quick fixed for about 6-8 years (for example coming in, applying filler, filler disintegrates 2 days later). The problem was inheirted ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 07, 2021
View all comments
(1)
We are so sorry you feel as you do. As you know we have tried hard to reach an agreement between you and your landlord to achieve a cost-effective solution. Your landlord invited you to choose the floor covering, and agreed your choice. Whilst we appreciate you want a more costly approach to laying the floor, the approach taken is safe, effective and agreed by your landlord. We are so sorry you disagree with this approach. ...
Nov 30,2020
Nov 30,2020
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
When we first visited the property, we were promised that certain things will be replaced or fixed such as new carpet, the downstairs toilet/bathroom. They already replaced the hallway carpet and told us every carpet will be replaced upon move in. They also had ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 30,2020
Mar 30,2020
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I would strongly urge every prospective tenant to carefully read through the contract before signing. Their verbal explanation of the contract is not always the same as the written contract.
Maxine Lester work very well for the landlord, but not as well for the tenant....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Apr 01, 2020
View all comments
(2)
I feel very strongly that as a letting agency you do not give this advice to every prospective tenant. I think your contract should be worded so that the get out clause is highlighted and verbally told to everyone. It can easily be overlooked. I also found very little communication from your staff. All in all, I was vey disappointed in the service from a letting agency which advertises itself as Award Winning. ...
Mar 26,2020
Mar 26,2020
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
When we were finacially in trouble because of the coronavirus, there was literally no help from the staff at maxine lester estate agents. Infact they were opposite, very rude, patronising, sarcastic and unprofessional. Even though they was holding the deposit which was more money than ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 27, 2020
View all comments
(1)
I am so sorry that you feel aggrieved, however for the record I need to reply. As you have been told on many occasions you are in a legally binding contract until 5th May 2020. You decided to leave the property well before the situation with the virus was established. Therefore we struggle to understand how you claim this has all happened because of the virus. I am very happy to talk though the situation again. As I have previously explained your actions have put your Landlord into financial dif ...
Feb 13,2020
Feb 13,2020
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
They will try there best to keep your deposit, making up things to make you look like you were a bad tenant. Take pictures, keep your paperwork and fight it. Guaranteed win. Otherwise they WILL keep your money....
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Feb 14, 2020
View all comments
(1)
Thanks Jess. I am so sorry you are still not happy since you first gave a review for this issue in 2018. As before, we’d be happy to have a conversation to see how to make things right for you. We remain puzzled at your reviews as you clearly agreed the deductions made from your deposit against the clear photographs of the urine damage caused to the carpets by your dog, and despite being advised you could appeal to the independent TDS adjudication service, you chose to not appeal. We are sorr ...
Jun 18,2019
Jun 18,2019
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
They will try their best to eat your deposit, whatever it takes them they will make up things. You touch the wall in their house and that's £100 gone their. They work for landlord and not for tenants. Remember they charge you the rent to the ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Extremely higher
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jun 19, 2019
View all comments
(3)
Hi Jamie. I am sorry you feel this way. I am not sure who you are so I can't check the history to understand what happened and respond properly. I would be pleased to have a conversation with you so I can respond properly. I hope you get in touch. Matthew ...
Jul 31,2017
Jul 31,2017
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Maxine Lester Residential Lettings have managed our properties for over 5 years and we are extremely happy with the service. All the staff are polite, helpful and efficient. Compared to other agents we have used, they are first class and I would highly recommend them....
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
The management fees are very competitive and good value for the service provided.
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Aug 01, 2017
View all comments
(1)
Hi Amanda. Thanks for such a lovely review. We know you are disappointed with the agents you use elsewhere - we are truly sorry we do not work in those towns! Matthew ...
Jul 07,2017
Jul 07,2017
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Couldn't be happier with Maxine and Lester, the stuff is very helpful and professional at all times, any problems get solved promptly and they always happy to help....
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Good
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 08, 2017
View all comments
(1)
Thanks for the feedback Jo - were delighted you feel weve done our job properly! Matthew ...
Jun 23,2017
Jun 23,2017
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Having spent the last 3 years with Maxine Lester as my letting agent, I would definitely recommend these guys. Maxine Lester and all the staff have always provided a first class service and the odd times I needed assistance with issues they were sure to act ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Good
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jun 27, 2017
View all comments
(1)
Hi KC - thanks for the great feedback - great to know we sustained the service throughout the 3 years! Matthew ...
May 26,2017
May 26,2017
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Absolutely first class service. Throughout my long association with Maxine Lester, everyone I have dealt with has been friendly, professional and polite. Their customer service ethic, both to tenants and landlords, is second to none and they are extremely good value for money. Highly recommended! :...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Excellent value for money.
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 29, 2017
View all comments
(1)
Thanks for the great feedback. We are delighted to know you are happy! Matthew ...
May 26,2017
May 26,2017
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The cottage I rented was lovely and the staff at Maxine's were both professional and personable. Problems and issues were solved promptly. Check in was efficient as was check out. All in all a good service....
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Fees were competitive.
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 29, 2017
View all comments
(1)
Hi Dc - thanks for your kind comment - the whole team work to ensure tenants are treated as customers. It sounds like they succeeded with you. thanks. Matthew ...
May 16,2017
May 16,2017
8
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Second Property just Let very promptly. Maxine Lester's team are; constructive, polite and unfailingly professional in finding Tenants and looking after properties. We have found the Business to be well known and respected in the area, has excellent Trades working in support. We were lucky ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Sensible level of Fees, proactive in reducing our costs.
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
May 17, 2017
View all comments
(1)
Hi Charity. Thanks so much for your review. We try to serve our landlords and tenants well, it is lovely to hear when the team have hit the spot. Thanks. Matthew ...
Feb 14,2017
Feb 14,2017
27
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Horrendous Experience. Lied to by the letting agent prior to move in, when we challenged on what was told to us at our initial viewing the letting agent rang me (at work) crying saying we'd clearly misunderstood.
Had several occasions in which the Washer (provided ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 09, 2017
View all comments
(2)
I feel it important to highlight my reasons for not wanting to meet rather than it being made to look like I've refused outright. In order for transparency I made the choice to communicate via email to ensure a record is maintained and no denials can be made as I've experienced when using telephone as means of communication with you. ...
Jan 13,2017
Jan 13,2017
37
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Another poor review... I'd give zero if I could. From the off, I wasn't satisfied with the conduct. I'll list my issues as its easier to write.
1) Sales tactics purely to put you under pressure to sign - its first come first served policy... common ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Overpriced, unnecessary and not value for money.
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Jul 27,2016
Jul 27,2016
43
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Another dissatisfied tenant.
Like all other previous reviews, this is going to be another negative one.
Property on our arrival had no hot water and no gas which wasn't fixed for a few days. When asked how this could happen Maxine Lester advised that they ...
read full review
read full review
Comment on agent fees
Horrendously bad. ‚£80 check out fees and ‚£50 mid-tenancy fee. For what? who knows. Plus the crazy financial background check fees...
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Feb 19,2016
Feb 19,2016
41
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Worst letting agents I have ever had the mis-pleasure of dealing with. Utterly incompetent in dealing with any kind of query, issue or complaint and very antagonising and aggressive when the blame falls at their feet as the landlords realise they are in the wrong. ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 19,2015
Mar 19,2015
44
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The most horrible letting egancy ever. On the first day walked in dirty home. In the house there were various things wrong. Phoned them up to complain was told to contact landlord. Went to citizens advice Beuro after many phone calls, emails massages and recorded ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Mar 20, 2015
View all comments
(1)
Dear Dino
Thank you very very much for you feed back even though it is for what we have not done. However I would appreciate it if you would give me your contact details and the property you live / lived in as we have no records of your name ( I understand this may be a nick name) . Given the severity of your feelings I am concerned that your issue is not one that the team or myself are awre of . My direct email is [email protected]
Kind regards
Maxine Lester ...
Jan 08,2015
Jan 08,2015
42
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Property stunk on arrival, nothing was clean, carpets had not been cleaned, although told it was by maxine lester, once they get your deposit and contract signed they don't give a crap about any problems or anything, Mold in bedrooms and windows don't shut in ...
read full review
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Get your money then don't give too hoots about the property after!!!!Attached Filesnbsp;
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Nov 20,2013
Nov 20,2013
43
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Maxine Lester are useless, not helpful, staff turnover is high, staff and management are rude. Avoid this place as unless u have it in writing they will try by any means to screw you over. They give your keys to workmen without asking permission. Downright ...
read full review
read full review
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
May 29,2012
May 29,2012
45
people found
this helpful
this helpful
If I could give zero stars I would.... I have been with them for 18 months and had nothing but problems. I have rented for over 15 years and never had a problem and always get on well with agents/landlords.
From day 1 I have had issues ...
read full review
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Absolutely not!!!!! would rather make myself homeless and live in a tent than rent from this bunch of jokers!!! you have been warned stay well clear!!!Attached Filesnbsp;
Was this helpful?
Yes
Yes
Vendor Fees
No fees set.Landlord Fees
https://www.maxinelester.co.uk/landlord-service-overviewTenant Fees
https://www.maxinelester.co.uk/tenancy-costs Last updated at 20/05/2024, 2:11 PM by Matthew LesterComplaints Procedure
https://www.maxinelester.co.uk/complaints-what-if-things-go-wrong
Last updated at 1:11 PM 20/05/2024 by Matthew Lester
