The UK's Largest Customer Review Website for the Property Industry
The UK's Largest Customer Review Website for the Property Industry

1.7/5, 27 Reviews
22% Recommended
41% sales valuation accuracy
43% letting valuation accuracy
30% sales fee satisfaction
30% letting fee satisfaction
This company is no longer in business.
By : 'DON'T'
Services : Letting(As a Prospective Landlord/Tenant)
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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 and accounts confirmed so. I took them into the small claims court which cost me �60 the court decision is that they are liable to pay me �660 + interest back. But they have done nothing on the back of sedning the court decision to them. It has been more than a year now. I have contacted them for at least 40-50 times. No of the people can give me a contact method to the manager since the court decision was made. The staff and the resigned staff told me that I just need to suck it up because they would do nothing! So, if you want to avoid disappoitment, avoid CRESTONS!
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.
| Services | Valuation | Fees | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 41% | 30% | £320,000 | £320,000 |
| Lettings | 43% | 30% | £400 | £4,600 |
Crestons
46 Brick lane, London, Greater London
W9 1QJ
020 7426 2006
By : 'DON'T'
Services : Letting( As a Prospective Landlord/Tenant )
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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 and accounts confirmed so. I took them... Read Full Review
By : 'amy'
Services : Letting( As a Prospective Landlord/Tenant )
Rent PCM : £1516
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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 on spot we wantedit.went back to brick lane to sign ... Read Full Review
we got no service for high fees paid
By : Jason
7 Mar 2016Dear Amy, Please advise which propety this was as we do not even have you registered with...
By : 'DO'
Services : Letting( As a Prospective Landlord/Tenant )
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E2
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 called that I would need a guarantor ... Read Full Review
Overpriced for an incompetent agency.
By : 'London456'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E2
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. and two weeks later.. they claimed the process was still not complete. I... Read Full Review
Overpriced for an appallingly run agency - wasn't told about the fees until the day before I was due to move.
By : 'Ripped'
Services : Letting( As a Prospective Landlord/Tenant )
Would you recommend ? : No
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... Read Full Review

By : 'Andrew'
Services : Letting( As a Prospective Landlord/Tenant )
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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 the manager, however the... Read Full Review
The agent should have refunded my holding deposit immediately.

By : 'Meena'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £1516
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : N7
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... Read Full Review
standard
standard

By : 'S.'
Services : Letting( As a Owner )
Rent PCM : £2700
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : SE1
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 to pay more than the rent... Read Full Review

By : 'Alamea'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £160
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : E1
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 but he was helpful... Read Full Review
fees ok
fees ok

By : 'Avoid'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £800
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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 quickly and sign things that were in their favour. On the ... Read Full Review
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.
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.

By : 'Emanuele'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £1278
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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... Read Full Review
By : 'Irene'
Services : Letting( As a Owner )
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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 - contacts never... Read Full Review
Operate like a proper British business.
High
By : 'Do'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : EC1
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 and the landlord also threatened legal action was it finally ... Read Full Review
By : 'Elena'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £800
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : NW1
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... Read Full Review
return money
By : Private Rental Inspector
27 May 2015Advice 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...


By : 'F.C.'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £1500
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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. Our landlord contacts us direct... Read Full Review
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.
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.
By : Manager
14 Apr 2015Hello tenants, thank you for the review. seems like you didn't mention negligence from your self's for example : The water leak was coming from flat 18 and not from the flat above! In fact you...
By : 'LCC'
Services : Letting( As a Prospective Landlord/Tenant )
Rent PCM : £1581
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E3
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 still waiting to get my deposit back. I must have... Read Full Review
See above again!
See above again!
By : Private Rental Inspector
30 Apr 2015This agent is extremely poor on service. Do not use under any circumstances, and certainly do not make any advance payments- unless you wish to consider them as a charity for donations. They have a ...


By : 'Heneage'
Services : Sales( As a Buyer )
Sold price : £320000
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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 for 1 bed property and accepted... Read Full Review
I\'d like to have my reservation money back.

By : 'fjennings'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £850
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : E1
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 with requests from myself and from... Read Full Review
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.
By : 'Mehdi'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £1734
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : E1
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 additional sofa, did not happen -... Read Full Review

By : 'Max'
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )
Rent PCM : £1885
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : N1
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 a query Shay gets back to me instantly. I highly recommend his... Read Full Review
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.