Rickard Ashington RE 18 Rothlea Gardens, Stakeford Not only were the owners of this property a disgrace, the staff at Rickard became ignorant, dismissive and patronising. Long story cut short: We did everything required; we requested a completion date of 1 September to help the owners and Rickard (it was supposed to be 16 September) and we kept Rickard updated weekly, sometimes daily, every step of the way. The owners of this property were and are very difficult people to deal with. Rickard are too. They called us numerous times for updates as they wanted the sale moved along because "...we're waiting for you" - yet we were the ones keeping the sale alive and they knew it! We were told by Rickard that we DID NOT need a survey. What estate agency would say such a thing regarding a 1960s property? We knew something was dodgy at that point. We said we were going to get a survey completed. The owners began to act even worse. So, we had a level 3 survey completed and found major hazards affecting not only the value but the habitable status of the property. You cannot move in the way it is. Rickard didn't really care; "It's an old house" and "It's still good value" - not when refurb costs are hitting £12k without the structural, damp proofing, asbestos and building conformity issues. Following the survey, the owners began acting terribly. Not only did the wife attempt to defraud my wife and I with the survey company, they made a most unreasonable demand last Thursday - they demanded the sale was completed and exchanged within 24 hours! Now we all know this is impossible - the solicitors were dumbfounded, our mortgage company was, the survey company was, other estate agents were! But Rickard went along with it. I asked Rickard to call me last Friday after they spoke with the owners as they knew it was impossible to complete and exchange. They never called. Instead, they had relisted the property without telling us! Absolutely disgraceful behaviour. So, be careful people. Rickard KNOW there is something wrong with this property and do not want prospective buyers to have a survey completed and be made aware of the problems. The owners don't want you to know either. BE CAREFUL! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED! NB - There is a five-star review on Google by a "** actually runs the Rickard Ashington office. NB - Rickard DELETED their review section from Facebook entirely following my leaving this same review on their page. Wouldn't you think they'd call me? Shameful.