0% lettings valuation accuracy
33% lettings fee satisfaction
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Sep 16,2010
Sep 16,2010
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
As an ex-employee of a south west property management office, allow me to offer some explanation and defence to some of my old colleagues...
Initially, the front end offices are targetted very aggressively to both to take on and subsequently let said properties. This leads tenants moving in to properties that are not fit to let. (Insufficint boilers etc)
Secondly, the accounts department are basically drones (They're trained this way) with little initiative for investigative work looking for missing funds etc. Coupled with this, the IT systems used are rubbish - including the new system which cost millions, this causes funds to be held back or not correctly allocated etc leading to delayed payments to landlords and equally important, to the contractors.
Reliable, intelligent and trustworthy contractors simply are not willing to wait 60-90 days for payment, leaving Countrywide with cowboys and scoundrels, thus maintenance issue being instructed by the employee but unanswered by the contractors.
I was in an office which was about 50% understaffed and would personally answer about 80 maintenance calls on a busy day.
I can honestly say the problem with the company on the whole is not due to the staff you will see or speak to but the higher management who provide absolutely no support to their workforce in any capacity, put ever increasing pressure not just on the front office but maintenance departments to fleece money out of landlords & tenants alike.
I have lengthy experience in lettings in various companies and departments and can honestly say the working conditions and direction from above are by far the worse I have ever heard or personally experienced. Plus their pay scale is sh*t.
Don't work for them, don't rent through them, don't let through them!
Initially, the front end offices are targetted very aggressively to both to take on and subsequently let said properties. This leads tenants moving in to properties that are not fit to let. (Insufficint boilers etc)
Secondly, the accounts department are basically drones (They're trained this way) with little initiative for investigative work looking for missing funds etc. Coupled with this, the IT systems used are rubbish - including the new system which cost millions, this causes funds to be held back or not correctly allocated etc leading to delayed payments to landlords and equally important, to the contractors.
Reliable, intelligent and trustworthy contractors simply are not willing to wait 60-90 days for payment, leaving Countrywide with cowboys and scoundrels, thus maintenance issue being instructed by the employee but unanswered by the contractors.
I was in an office which was about 50% understaffed and would personally answer about 80 maintenance calls on a busy day.
I can honestly say the problem with the company on the whole is not due to the staff you will see or speak to but the higher management who provide absolutely no support to their workforce in any capacity, put ever increasing pressure not just on the front office but maintenance departments to fleece money out of landlords & tenants alike.
I have lengthy experience in lettings in various companies and departments and can honestly say the working conditions and direction from above are by far the worse I have ever heard or personally experienced. Plus their pay scale is sh*t.
Don't work for them, don't rent through them, don't let through them!
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Latest Reviews
11th Dec 2015
reviewed by 'Lisa'
19th Dec 2014
reviewed by 'Gaelle'
10th Sep 2014
reviewed by 'Ade'
Opening Hours
Address
Countrywide Residential Lettings
42 High Street
Esher,Esher
Greater London
KT10 9Q
01372 466110
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettings | 0% | 33% | £1,375 | £3,000 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
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Latest Properties
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Dec 11,2015
Dec 11,2015
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Victoria was super helpful from beginning to end in all dealings leading to the rental property I now live in. She always let me know updates as things progressed, I didn't have to chase her up for things as most other agents I've dealt with ...
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Comment on agent fees
The only part I have been dissatisfied with are the fees which I believe to be extortionate. I have never paid such high fees and even had them reduced slightly after complaining. They are by far the highest fees I have ever paid or heard of.
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Dec 19,2014
Dec 19,2014
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Thanks to Donna Paraskeva, Liani Mannifield and Victoria Hanlon we have managed to find the perfect house for us to rent. I was impressed by their professionalism, reactivity and willingness to support us eventhough we were only potential tenants. Donna and Liani were very efficient ...
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Sep 10,2014
Sep 10,2014
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We started renting a property that before we even stepped foot in the place had a leaking roof, dodgy electrics in a toilet, an unsafe fireplace. We are professional people who pride ourself on our home and had only had to rent while we did ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Awful. Almost operating illegally from my experience.Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
dreadfulAttachments
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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.
Complaints Procedure
No procedure available.
A curious customer.