“They agreed a rent of £1300 with me, asked me to ......”
1 Star Review
Sep 19,2016
By:
'DON'T'
Sep 19,2016
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode: E1
6
people found
this helpful
allAgents says
Crooked Islington letting agents ordered to pay victims almost £100,000 in compensation
Source : Iislingtongazette.co.uk PUBLISHED: 16:44 29 October 2020
Three dodgy letting agents who kept tenants' rent payments instead of passing them on to the landlords have been ordered to pay almost £100,000 in compensation to their victims.
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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 ......”
1 Star Review
Mar 07,2016
By:
'amy'
Mar 07,2016
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1516
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1516
Postcode: E1
9
people found
this helpful
horrible experience me bf and i are now back living in me parents front room !!! we moved to london to find jobs setup in a hotel and started looking for flat. and saw lovely flat advertised by crestons. since hotel was expensive we told agent ...
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Comment on agent fees
we got no service for high fees paid
9
people found
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Yes
“Worst experience I've ever had with this incompetent letting agency. ......”
1 Star Review
Jan 20,2016
By:
'DO'
Jan 20,2016
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E2
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode: E2
11
people found
this helpful
Worst experience I've ever had with this incompetent letting agency. I was told I could move in on the day it was available; two weeks later, they are still completing reference checks and gave me absolutely no information regarding anything. They told me when I ...
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Comment on agent fees
Overpriced for an incompetent agency.
11
people found
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Yes
“DO NOT USE THIS AGENCY! I have had the most ......”
1 Star Review
Jan 19,2016
By:
'London456'
Jan 19,2016
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E2
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: E2
0
people found
this helpful
DO NOT USE THIS AGENCY! I have had the most awful experience with Crestons. They have completely messed me around - I was told that flat would be available to move in on the day I wanted - I filled in a reference form etc. ...
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Comment on agent fees
Overpriced for an appallingly run agency - wasn't told about the fees until the day before I was due to move.
0
people found
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Yes
“4 months later and have not returned holding deposit of £ 1520, never ......”
1 Star Review
Dec 11,2015
By:
'Ripped'
Dec 11,2015
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode:
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode:
27
people found
this helpful
4 months later and have not returned holding deposit of £ 1520, never had intention of letting the property or returning the money.
Reported to both The Property Ombudsman and the Trading Standards,
Manager is Ibrahim Ali,
Brick lane was trading under Sirs Associates LTD but both Sirs ...
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27
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“DO NOT USE THIS AGENT. After paying a holding deposit ......”
1 Star Review
Dec 03,2015
By:
'Andrew'
Dec 03,2015
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Postcode: E1
14
people found
this helpful
DO NOT USE THIS AGENT. After paying a holding deposit of £840, the rental fell through as the landlord changed his mind. Fair enough. However over 3 months down the line, Crestons have still not returned the holding deposit. When contacted they always say it's up to ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
The agent should have refunded my holding deposit immediately.
Attached Filesnbsp;
14
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“We came to their office but they didn't have anything ......”
4 Star Review
Nov 26,2015
By:
'Meena'
Nov 26,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1516
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N7
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1516
Postcode: N7
0
people found
this helpful
We came to their office but they didn't have anything that would suit us (I wanted to have a balcony - my partner smokes); but they called two weeks later and got us a nice place. Overall ok....
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Comment on agent fees
standard
0
people found
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Yes
“OMG!! I cannot believe how such a terrible business can ......”
1 Star Review
Nov 07,2015
By:
'S.'
Nov 07,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Rent PCM: £2700
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: SE1
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Rent PCM: £2700
Postcode: SE1
18
people found
this helpful
OMG!! I cannot believe how such a terrible business can actually continue trading.
I am a landlady and avertising my own properties on different wesites and Crestons contacted me claiming that they have tenants for me...the best tenants in the world...they are willing ...
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18
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“This is the second time that I have rented using ......”
4 Star Review
Nov 03,2015
By:
'Alamea'
Nov 03,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £160
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £160
Postcode: E1
0
people found
this helpful
This is the second time that I have rented using Crestons. The first time I was new to Shoreditch; I would like to mention Stefano – he was really helpful and got me a lovely studio; I don't remember the agent I used the first time ...
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Comment on agent fees
fees ok
0
people found
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Yes
“Avoid business with these agents at all times! At first ......”
1 Star Review
Oct 01,2015
By:
'Avoid'
Oct 01,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £800
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £800
Postcode: E1
13
people found
this helpful
Avoid business with these agents at all times! At first it started off okay, the viewings were normal and the agency looked fine. After having viewed a place, we paid a holding deposit. This is where it all began. They wanted us to do things ...
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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.
13
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“Absolutely Crooks! The worst. I have paid in advance three ......”
1 Star Review
Sep 22,2015
By:
'Emanuele'
Sep 22,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1278
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1278
Postcode: E1
14
people found
this helpful
Absolutely Crooks! The worst. I have paid in advance three months rent plus the deposit plus their fees from Italy. Once arrived, they told me that the house I have chosen from Italy was not available due to a safety problems (?????). The gave me the ...
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14
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“Started out so promising, secured high rent but about three ......”
1 Star Review
Jun 15,2015
By:
'Irene'
Jun 15,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Postcode: E1
11
people found
this helpful
Started out so promising, secured high rent but about three months into tenancy problems began Crestons late paying rent to me every month, once almost four weeks late. Emails ignored, promises made during phone calls broken, reception staff clearly instructed to take a message - ...
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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
11
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“Never use this comany.These where by far the worst ......”
1 Star Review
Jun 04,2015
By:
'Do'
Jun 04,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: EC1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: EC1
12
people found
this helpful
Never use this comany.
These where by far the worst company i have ever dealt with. They never respond to emails, and trying to get our deposit back was like tryig to draw blood from a stone. It was only when we threatened legal action ...
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12
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“My daughter rented a room (crowndale Court), they wanted her ......”
1 Star Review
May 27,2015
By:
'Elena'
May 27,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £800
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: NW1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £800
Postcode: NW1
11
people found
this helpful
My daughter rented a room (crowndale Court), they wanted her to pay in advace (because she is a student), right after that they said the appartment should be renovated, she left and never got here Money back!...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
return money
Attached Filesnbsp;
11
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Rented a 2 bed flat in E1 and have a poor ......”
1 Star Review
Apr 13,2015
By:
'F.C.'
Apr 13,2015
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1500
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1500
Postcode: E1
17
people found
this helpful
Rented a 2 bed flat in E1 and have a poor experience with them. Our experience is similar to many others documented on here - pushing back move in dates, failing to follow through on agreements, avoiding any correspondence in writing, ignoring emails or calls etc. ...
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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.
17
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“We gave this estate agent £730 administration fee to take a ......”
1 Star Review
Apr 01,2015
By:
'LCC'
Apr 01,2015
Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1581
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E3
Lettings (Prospective customer)
Rent PCM: £1581
Postcode: E3
11
people found
this helpful
We gave this estate agent £730 administration fee to take a property off the market for us to rent. Three days later they called us back to say the property had already been rented before we put the deposit down. Over one week later I am ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
See above again!
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
See above again!
11
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“I paid £1600 to Crestons as a sales resevation money for ......”
1 Star Review
Nov 20,2014
By:
'Heneage'
Nov 20,2014
Services: Sales (as a Buyer)
Sold price: £320000
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E15
Sales (as a Buyer)
Sold price: £320000
Postcode: E15
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;
9
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“I have dealt with Shay on three separate occasions: initially ......”
4 Star Review
Oct 14,2014
By:
'fjennings'
Oct 14,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £850
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £850
Postcode: E1
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.
9
people found
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Yes
“BE VERY CAREFUL, I WOULDN'T EVEN GET NEAR THOSE GUYS, ......”
1 Star Review
Oct 10,2014
By:
'Mehdi'
Oct 10,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1734
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E12
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1734
Postcode: E12
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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8
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Shay was very polite and helped us find the property ......”
5 Star Review
Oct 08,2014
By:
'Max'
Oct 08,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1885
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1885
Postcode: N1
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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11
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Our experience with Crestons was very unprofessional and disappointing. If ......”
1 Star Review
Aug 29,2014
By:
'TT'
Aug 29,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £2950
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: EC1V
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £2950
Postcode: EC1V
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.
7
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“They were rude, "*" and inefficient when we first came in ......”
1 Star Review
Jul 29,2014
By:
'Rida'
Jul 29,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: E1
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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7
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Honestly, read the below reviews and do not use this ......”
1 Star Review
Jun 10,2014
By:
'Hannah'
Jun 10,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1700
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E12
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £1700
Postcode: E12
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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9
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“"*"We have been lied to repeatedly. They have tried to ......”
1 Star Review
Jun 09,2014
By:
'Aine'
Jun 09,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: E1
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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7
people found
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Was this helpful?
Yes
“Plz do not use this agent.I'm international. This agent ......”
1 Star Review
Jun 05,2014
By:
'Rohannah'
Jun 05,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £2575
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode: E1
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Rent PCM: £2575
Postcode: E1
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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7
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“Crestons are very efficient and helpful thoughtout. Shay was always ......”
4 Star Review
Mar 19,2014
By:
'Florence'
Mar 19,2014
Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: N1
Lettings (as a Landlord)
Postcode: N1
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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39
people found
this helpful
Was this helpful?
Yes
“We had a really good experience renting a property from ......”
5 Star Review
Jun 26,2013
By:
'Emma'
Jun 26,2013
Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Would you recommend?: Yes
Postcode: EMMA
Lettings (as a Tenant)
Postcode: EMMA
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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8
people found
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Yes