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Douglas & Simmons

4.1/5, 73 Reviews
77% Recommended

88% sales valuation accuracy

33% letting valuation accuracy

89% sales fee satisfaction

89% letting fee satisfaction

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"I would have given 0 stars..."

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1 Star Review

By : 'SM'
Services : Letting(I am a Tenant)
Rent PCM : £1195
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : OX12

1 Aug 2021
People found this helpful2

I would have given 0 stars but there was no option! Note that their complaints procedure is a one page Word document that I received only after sending several emails requesting one! Their staff were not probably aware that, by law, they are obliged to display their complaints procedure on their web site, and to provide one promptly if requested. Without doubt, this is the worst residential lettings agency I have ever dealt with in the UK, and I have been renting privately for almost 15 years. These people are so clearly biased in the favour of landlords, it is laughable. The Provision 1d (General Provisions) of the Code of Practice for Residential Letting Agents in England clearly states that letting agents should "provide a service to both landlords and tenants consistent with fairness, integrity and best practice..." You cannot and should not side with landlords against tenants. Despite claiming to run managed properties, they cannot manage their own office or their own communications. They failed to respond promptly to several reports of maintenance problems (calls, emails with photos), failed to arrange proper and timely inspections and repairs, and then made spurious claims on the deposit for damages caused by their own failure to arrange repairs for the maintenance problems reported by me. The deposit is now in dispute, with the DPS. I am in the process of submitting a written complaint to Douglas & Simmons. I have little or no confidence that this complaint will be handled appropriately. If it isn't I will send the complaint to the Property Ombudsman (PO).

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By : Rachel Douglas

1 Aug 2021

Dear Mr Murthy,, I am sorry that you have felt the need to make these comments online, our Lettings Manager Vicky Broadbank has spent much time communicating with you over the check out of a property you rented through us that sadly wasn’t vacated in the condition required as referred to using both the pre and post tenancy inventories performed and we feel we have tried very hard to avert the DPS arbitration process in this instance. Unfortunately in cases of dispute where agreement cannot be met, it is the only way of fairly resolving the matter for all parties. May I draw your attention to the published complaints procedure on our website (link at the bottom of the homepage) and if you still feel you have a complaint to raise please refer to this for guidance and we hope to resolve this for you. I am pleased to say the landlord is happy with our services to date and has appointed us to act in the sale of the property. Kind regards, D&S.

By : SM

7 Aug 2021

The formal complaint was submitted, please check your emails. I will be pursuing this with the Property Ombudsman, if necessary. I reject your descriptions of the situation. The property was left in good order. The deposit dispute largely concerns damages that could have been avoided if your letting staff had responded to my early reports of maintenance problems in a timely and professional way. Your lettings manager in particular has behaved unprofessionally and unethically, and I have documented this in my complaint.

By : SM

13 Aug 2021

The DPS have now made a decision: the deposit dispute amount has now been entirely awarded to me, and your claims on behalf of the landlord have been rejected (as unproven). This was obvious at the start, and a good letting agent would not have done that. No previous letting agents I have dealt with have ever made any claims on my deposit. As you would be aware: an official complaint has been lodged with you about the unethical conduct of your principal letting agent. I will take this all the way to the Property Ombudsman if this is not satisfactorily resolved. To readers of this reiew: this is another reason for people to steer clear of Douglas & Simmons.

By : SM

23 Dec 2021

Some final notes on this case: even though I was satisfied with the DPS decision in my favour, I decided I wasn't happy with the way that Douglas & Simmons handled my complaint, and re-submitted the complaint to the Property Ombudsman. The Ombudsman, after reviewing the complaint, agreed with my claim for a further small sum towards unnecessary costs I incurred during tenancy due to delayed repairs (a delay of six months). According to Douglas & Simmons the staff member who was the subject of my original complaint has "left" - I would have preferred dismissal on grounds of unethical conduct.


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Latest Reviews
Performance Statistics
ServicesValuationFeesMin Price of property reviewedMax Price of property reviewed
Sales88.00%89%£145,000£788,000
Lettings33%89%£725£1,450
Review Statistics
From LandlordsFrom TenantsFrom VendorsFrom BuyersFrom Other
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101737217314
Areas covered
  • OX12
  • Ox13
  • Sn7
Address

Douglas & Simmons
25\/26 Market placeWantage, Oxfordshire
OX12 8AE
01235 766222

Opening Hours
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  2. Tuesday :
  3. Wednesday :
  4. Thursday :
  5. Friday :
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  7. Sunday :
  1. 09:00 - 17:30
  2. 09:00 - 17:30
  3. 09:00 - 17:30
  4. 09:00 - 17:30
  5. 09:00 - 17:30
  6. 09:00 - 05:00
  7. 11:00 - 04:00
Services offered
  • Sales
  • Lettings
  • Block Management
  • Surveys
  • Conveyancing
  • Mortgage Advice
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Latest Properties

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I have worked with Graham ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'B'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (Prospective Vendor/Buyer)
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX12

17 Nov 2025
People found this helpful0

I have worked with Graham Douglas 20 years , firstly at Adkin Estate Agents where Graham was the manager . Graham then went onto opening his own Estate Agents :- Douglas & Gribben , I was privileged to be asked to accompany him as a secretarysales. Graham then went on to buy the premises his next ... Read Full Review

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A brilliant easy experience ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Kelvin'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Tenant)
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : OX12

21 Dec 2021
People found this helpful0

A brilliant easy experience in renting my house. Communications 100%. Charlie is charming and just made things so nice. Would 100% ... Read Full Review

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By : Charles Bartlett

21 Dec 2021

Thanks so much Kelvin. It was a pleasure helping you find your new home and we wish you all the best...


Most professional and ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Amy'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Tenant)
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX12

8 Dec 2021
People found this helpful0

Charlie at Douglas Simmons has been the most professional and responsive agent we have worked with! We never waited for a response and his warm and supportive manner is quite remarkable! Charlie has assisted us through every stage and dedicated his time to make the transition seamless. We would ... Read Full Review

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By : Charles Bartlett

8 Dec 2021

Thank you so much Amy for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure finding you guys your new home and we are delighted to have you as residents of...


I would have given 0 stars ...

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1 Star Review

By : 'SM'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Tenant)
Rent PCM : £1195
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : OX12

1 Aug 2021
People found this helpful2

I would have given 0 stars but there was no option! Note that their complaints procedure is a one page Word document that I received only after sending several emails requesting one! Their staff were not probably aware that, by law, they are obliged to display their complaints procedure on their ... Read Full Review

Comments (4) Report abuseWas this helpful?:

By : Rachel Douglas

1 Aug 2021

Dear Mr Murthy,, I am sorry that you have felt the need to make these comments online, our Lettings Manager Vicky Broadbank has spent much time communicating with you over the check out of a property ...


Very helpful and professional ...

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4 Star Review
UserName

By : 'MISS'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Vendor)
Sold price : £145000
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX12

17 Oct 2020
People found this helpful0

Very helpful and professional team. The sale of the property was not always plain sailing but got it sold in the ... Read Full Review

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Couldn't be Happier ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Barry'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Owner)
Rent PCM : £1450
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX11

7 Jul 2020
People found this helpful0

After receiving a recommendation that Douglas & Simmons would help us to let our 3 'Buy to Let' properties in Didcot we contacted Vicky Broadbank, Head of Lettings and Property Management for the company and have never looked back. She and her colleagues have provided invaluable ... Read Full Review

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If you’re thinking ...

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1 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Marie'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Tenant)
Rent PCM : £950
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : OX12

1 Jul 2020
People found this helpful1

If you’re thinking of renting, look elsewhere. Absolutely shocking service to tenants, and they never respond to emails. Had trouble getting my deposit back also. Main culprit is Shona Endicott. If they’ve plucked up the courage to get rid of her then you may be ... Read Full Review

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Worse state agency ...

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1 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Lavinia'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Tenant)
Rent PCM : £885
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : OX14

23 Feb 2020
People found this helpful1

The worse state agency ever. My flat, full of mould, my lounge radiator doesn't work properly and they ignore me, Mrs Shona impolite. Everything there with a high level of ... Read Full Review

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Threatened with eviction due ...

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1 Star Review
UserName

UserName

By : 'Johnny'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Tenant)
Rent PCM : £1300
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : OX12

28 Oct 2019
People found this helpful2

Threatened with eviction due to complaining about the state of the property I rented, lied to by Shona Endicott the so called Lettings manager, treated like excrement at the bottom of someone's shoe. Having read other reviews who match to my experience I would not recommend anyone to rent ... Read Full Review

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My son had the unfortunate ...

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1 Star Review

By : 'Teresa'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Tenant)
Rent PCM : £725
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : OX12

20 Aug 2019
People found this helpful2

My son had the unfortunate misfortune to rent a place from here ... it was damp with black mould when challenged was told it’s been mentioned in the past !!! A plug caught fire ... to be told oh dear we are sorry!!! Asked to move out a week before his contract was up so they could take ... Read Full Review

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Knowledgeable and ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Hannah'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Vendor)
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX10

10 Jun 2019
People found this helpful0

Douglas and Simmons handled the sale of my house during an unfavourable market. The team, headed by Graham Douglas, were focussed and dedicated their perseverance got us there in the end! Graham is very knowledgable and experienced; a particularly good negotiator who dealt professionally with all ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

Fair.

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Professional and ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Spencer'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Buyer)
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : RG17

26 Apr 2019
People found this helpful0

I have just purchased a house and the selling agent was Douglas and Simmons. Their client was a bank. Due to the rules under which Douglas and Simmons had to operate on this sale, they did a remarkably good job, both for their client, the bank, but also for us, the purchaser. They kept us informed ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

N\/A

Comments (1) Report abuseWas this helpful?:

By : Guy Simmons

27 Apr 2019

Dear Lord Spencer & Lady Garvagh I am delighted you have secured the property,and thank you for your kind review. As you have made great efforts to make this happen, it was very exciting to...


Reliable and trustworthy ...

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5 Star Review

By : 'Charles'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Buyer)
Sold price : £375000
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX12

29 Mar 2019
People found this helpful2

Our purchase was not easy as a lot of us were chasing the same house. Graham Douglas led us through the "Bidding war" and was extremely fair throughout the process, following the process through to the letter. When someone tried to gazump us at a late stage, he handled the crisis superbly ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

NA

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By : Graham Douglas

30 Mar 2019

Thank you Charles, for your very kind words in what can be one of the most stressful events in ones' life. We always strive to conduct our negotiations on the highest moral platform possible,...


Rude and awful customer ...

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1 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Awful'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Letting (As a Prospective Landlord/Tenant)
Would you recommend ? : No
Postcode : OX12

18 Mar 2019
People found this helpful1

I was looking for a property a few months ago and unfortunately had some dealings with a woman in the office called *. What a rude woman! I have never encountered anybody in this capacity as being as rude and aggressive as this person. She was extremely unprofessional. I couldn't believe ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

Not applicable - didn\'t get that far!

Comments (1) Report abuseWas this helpful?:

By : Guy Simmons

18 Mar 2019

Thank you for spending time to do a review, of course we are not pleased to hear such a negative review, regarding your thoughts about any of our staff here, and certainly not if this made you feel...


Outstanding ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Rich'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Buyer)
Sold price : £725000
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX12

16 Jan 2019
People found this helpful1

We have recently moved to our dream house in Wantage, which likely would not have happened without the fantastic support we received from Graham & the wider Douglas & Simmons team. Graham kept us updated on progress every step of the way & went above and beyond to ensure the process ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

NA

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Highly ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Anon'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Vendor)
Sold price : £320000
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX12

11 Jan 2019
People found this helpful1

Douglas & Simmons recently handled the sale of our rental property in Wantage. We were very happy with their professionalism throughout the whole process, from the initial valuation through to completion. The marketing material was prepared to a high standard, and we were given regular, ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

Very reasonable fees.

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Couldn't have asked ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Rachel'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Vendor)
Sold price : £182500
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX29

11 Jan 2019
People found this helpful0

I don't know where to start with this review, as my move would never have happened without Graham's tenacity and perseverance. Having gone through a tricky process with dropping out of a purchase, losing my first buyer and then having the Christmas holiday to contend with, ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

Very reasonable

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Excellent ...

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5 Star Review

By : 'Mr'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Vendor)
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX12

9 Jan 2019
People found this helpful0

Douglas and Simmons really went the extra mile to sell our house after we had been left high and dry and fearing we were going to lose the house we had set our hearts on. We had 11 viewings in just over a week and our property was sold quickly at a very good price. The customer service was ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

Excellent for the service we received

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Can't fault ...

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5 Star Review
UserName

By : 'Kathy'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Vendor)
Sold price : £285000
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : OX12

23 Dec 2018
People found this helpful0

A big thank you to the team at Wantage... professional from start to finish, excellent communication, accurate pricing, great advice and our house sale went through with no problems at all. I would recommend them ... Read Full Review


Comments on Agent Fees

Fair

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First home ...

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5 Star Review

By : 'Aimee'
Branch : Wantage, 25\/26 Market place
Services : Sales (As a Buyer)
Would you recommend ? : Yes
Postcode : SN7

10 Nov 2018
People found this helpful0

Douglas and Simmons are an excellent estate agent. They were so helpful throughout all stages of my house purchase. As a first time buyer, they patiently guided me through the process, were always at the end of the phone when I needed them and the whole team was always so friendly and helpful. ... Read Full Review

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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 set.

Last updated at 1/2/2018, 5:24:18 AM by allAgents

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