By : 'Manuel' Services : Letting( Property Management ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW11
13 Oct 2020
People found this helpful0
Quite possibly the worst company in the UK. John D Wood manages a flat we have are renting out and it's taken them 7 months to fix a rodent problem we had in our property.
The service is appalling and I can easily say it's the worst service i have ever had from a company. They... Read Full Review
Services : Letting( Property Management )Date: 12th Oct 2020
Quite possibly the worst company in the UK. John D Wood manages a flat we have are renting out and it's taken them 7 months to fix a rodent problem we had in our property.
The service is appalling and I can easily say it's the worst service i have ever had from a company. They contact you whenever they feel like, no matter the urgency of your problem.
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Wonderful ...
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5 Star Review
Sophie
By : 'K' Services : Sales( As a Buyer ) Would you recommend ? : Yes Postcode : SW11
3 Feb 2019
People found this helpful1
I moved to my wonderful new home in Battersea. I had great help from Sophie and the team at John D Wood. This is the second home I have bought through this company in thirty years. The whole expierience was smooth and professional and I would highly recommend the team to help you sell or find your ... Read Full Review
I moved to my wonderful new home in Battersea. I had great help from Sophie and the team at John D Wood. This is the second home I have bought through this company in thirty years. The whole expierience was smooth and professional and I would highly recommend the team to help you sell or find your home. Thanks
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John D Wood Manages my ...
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1 Star Review
By : 'william' Services : Letting( As a Owner ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW11
22 Feb 2017
People found this helpful6
John D Wood Manages my property whilst I am based overseas. do not use them if you want your property properly managed. Terrible... Read Full Review
Services : Letting( As a Owner )Date: 22nd Feb 2017
John D Wood Manages my property whilst I am based overseas. do not use them if you want your property properly managed. Terrible service
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I would advise anyone looking ...
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1 Star Review
By : 'Sophia' Services : Letting( As a Tenant ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW11
14 Jan 2014
People found this helpful6
I would advise anyone looking to rent a house (or landlord for that matter) to use anyone in preference to John D Wood in Battersea.
They do the minimum possible. Emails to the property manager go un-answered. On top of that, we have had 3 different property managers as our contacts during our... Read Full Review
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )Date: 14th Jan 2014
I would advise anyone looking to rent a house (or landlord for that matter) to use anyone in preference to John D Wood in Battersea.
They do the minimum possible. Emails to the property manager go un-answered. On top of that, we have had 3 different property managers as our contacts during our tenancy which started 6 months ago (high staff turnover is not exactly a sign of a happy company is it?).
They are happy to let the property deteriorate to such a point that we had to get into contact with the landlord as we feared for our deposit (leak from upstairs flat, rising damp in front room). I'm sure that Baldrick would be able to do property management better than them!
Yes, I am deeply dissatisfied with them and will be looking to move out of the property as soon as I can exercise my right to break the lease.
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I contacted John D Wood in ...
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1 Star Review
Frankie
By : 'Huw' Services : Letting( As a Tenant ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW8
20 Dec 2013
People found this helpful6
I contacted John D Wood in Battersea as prospective renter. At first she seemed pleasant and asked me a lot of details about my search. I told her that I was only interested in properties in and around Queenstown Road, no where else. She later called me to say she had found some suitable... Read Full Review
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )Date: 20th Dec 2013
I contacted John D Wood in Battersea as prospective renter. At first she seemed pleasant and asked me a lot of details about my search. I told her that I was only interested in properties in and around Queenstown Road, no where else. She later called me to say she had found some suitable properties. I asked her if the properties were in Queenstown Road, her reply, they are 5 minute walk. When we went to view the properties, she took us to 3, 1 in Vauxhall, 1 around Battersea Rise and 2 towards Battersea High Street. Not only were the properties not in the right areas, they were also unfurnished and £100pw over our budget. It was an absolute waste of our time. I will not be dealing with them again.
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I have been renting my flat ...
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1 Star Review
By : 'Charlie' Services : Letting( As a Owner ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW8
9 Dec 2013
People found this helpful11
I have been renting my flat with John D Wood for the last 4 years. Like most managing agents, they have been pretty useless but happy to pocket their 15% Management Commission from me for frankly not a lot. Anyway, my main gripe came as a result of the tenant making me an offer to buy the property. ... Read Full Review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Unethical. They tried to hoodwink me into accepting something which breaches the law let alone the Property Ombudsman\'s guidelines.
Services : Letting( As a Owner )Date: 9th Dec 2013
I have been renting my flat with John D Wood for the last 4 years. Like most managing agents, they have been pretty useless but happy to pocket their 15% Management Commission from me for frankly not a lot. Anyway, my main gripe came as a result of the tenant making me an offer to buy the property. The price was attractive and we struck a deal. Once we notified John D Wood of the termination of the lease, I got an invoice from them claiming 1.50% of the sale consideration as per the terms of their tenancy agreement. I told them that this was unacceptable and irrespective of this legacy clause in the tenancy agreement, this breached the law (citing the Office of Fair Trading case against Foxtons from July 2009). They tried to bamboozle me with nonsense about contractual obligations. I referred this to my solicitor, who sent them a very sternly worded letter with a copy to the Property Ombudsman. They backed down when they realised that I knew that this clause should never have been in my tenancy agreement, but I really had to fight my corner and needless to say this cost me in solicitor's fees. I just do not see how they could claim the standard sale and purchase commission when they did nothing to earn the fee.
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I have the worst experience ...
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1 Star Review
By : 'Guy' Services : Letting( As a Tenant ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW8
29 Nov 2013
People found this helpful16
I have the worst experience with John D Wood estate agency!! To start with they charge me an agency fee of £275 (plus VAT) to check my references -and I know they have NOT checked anything! After that they made a real mess with the contract of the flat and in the end I have 5 copies in my flat -... Read Full Review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Better diligence in drafting tenancy agreement and more integrity in dealing with tenants.
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )Date: 29th Nov 2013
I have the worst experience with John D Wood estate agency!! To start with they charge me an agency fee of £275 (plus VAT) to check my references -and I know they have NOT checked anything! After that they made a real mess with the contract of the flat and in the end I have 5 copies in my flat - as they kept sending wrong ones, not completed, not signed, not stamped... a real waste of time for me and my flatmate!! However, the worst was when the flat was sold! My God - the way they manage the situation was completely out of order! I had harassing emails at 10pm asking me to leave in the following week, had million phone calls and I never heard a world of understanding and empathy of my flatmate and my situation. The manager had a very aggressive way to communicate, no manners and in the end I simply refused to talk to him! (the other members of staff were a bit nicer, but they did not have any empowerment to decide anything there). They offer us completely different compensation each day … well – overall experience was terrible and in the end we left the flat in a hurry, as we could not live with the pressure they were putting us, even though we had the right to stay to stay another 40 days, until our notice would be due to expired. I rented several flats before for over 10 years and although I understand estate agencies have their interests and business to proceed, I was always, at least, treated with respect and as a customer. John D Wood demonstrated to us that they had NO customer service values and also NO respect! If I could influence anyway who is reading this review – I would strongly recommend for you NOT to rent a flat with them ever!!!
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I rented my house through JDW ...
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1 Star Review
By : 'Furious' Services : Sales( As a Vendor ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW11
21 Oct 2013
People found this helpful22
I rented my house through JDW and then received an offer from the tenant who wanted to acquire the property. As it happens, we were thinking of selling up. We agreed the terms of the sale on a private basis and then the sale was concluded. About a month after the sale I received a call from JDW... Read Full Review
Services : Sales( As a Vendor )Date: 21st Oct 2013
I rented my house through JDW and then received an offer from the tenant who wanted to acquire the property. As it happens, we were thinking of selling up. We agreed the terms of the sale on a private basis and then the sale was concluded. About a month after the sale I received a call from JDW seeking a commission of 1.50% of the sale consideration. They told me the tenancy agreement that we signed in 2012 contains a clause whereby if a Tenant sourced by JDW ends up acquiring the property, they have the right to claim the "standard sale and purchase commission". Having sought advice my solicitor, he advised me that this clause is Illegal. He cited a ruling by the High Court against Foxtons in 2009 relating to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999. Furthermore, he referred me to The Property Ombudsman Code of Conduct (Paragraph 3j) which states "that an agent's Terms of Business must not require the payment of commission in circumstances where the tenant agrees to purchase the property unless this is subject to a separate sales agreement". Anyway, I referred JDW to discuss this with my solicitor. We made no progress, so my solicitor referred them to the Property Ombudsman who confirmed that the 2009 ruling was very clear. Just be warned, this sort of clause should not appear in any tenancy agreement and if it does, it goes against all recommended practice and cannot be upheld in a court of law! I am so relieved in avoiding having been caught out ! ! !
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Terrible experience with JDW ...
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1 Star Review
Thomas
By : 'Christopher' Services : Letting( As a Owner ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW8
20 Oct 2013
People found this helpful22
Terrible experience with JDW in Battersea. After the tenant moved in, I did not receive rent for the first 3 months as they took their fee up front. This was the first that I knew about this and however much I raised this issue, I hit a brick wall. There were a couple of issues with my property... Read Full Review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Be more honest with me in dealings on fees and manage property better
Services : Letting( As a Owner )Date: 20th Oct 2013
Terrible experience with JDW in Battersea. After the tenant moved in, I did not receive rent for the first 3 months as they took their fee up front. This was the first that I knew about this and however much I raised this issue, I hit a brick wall. There were a couple of issues with my property (dishwasher leak, broken window) and they were very slow to deal with this, resulting in a very irritable tenant. I was so frustrated and angry that I terminated the lease with my tenant at the first earliest possible opportunity to move to another local agent (the local firm with lots of positive reivews). All I can say, is that the end I reported JDW to the Property Ombudsman and I am waiting to hear the outcome of my case. I was glad to discover that there was an independent commission to deal with complaints about an Estate Agent. More details below if anyone is interested or having similar issues:
http://www.tpos.co.uk/about_us.htm
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Ok, this my first time on ...
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1 Star Review
Thomas
By : 'Linda' Services : Letting( As a Owner ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW11
11 Sept 2013
People found this helpful27
Ok, this my first time on this website. When it comes to reading things on the internet, I generally don't take them for granted. Therefore, in this review I hope to share with you my experience and whether you accept my story, I will give you some tips which any sane person should do when dealing ... Read Full Review
What agent could do to change your mind?
General observation: to act with honesty and integrity which was lacking in our negotiations. Precise observation, to do a much better on drafting contracts rather than send a generic document, otherwise their charge of £275 + VAT is unjustifiable.
Services : Letting( As a Owner )Date: 11th Sep 2013
Ok, this my first time on this website. When it comes to reading things on the internet, I generally don't take them for granted. Therefore, in this review I hope to share with you my experience and whether you accept my story, I will give you some tips which any sane person should do when dealing with the likes of John D Wood (if only I had seen this website before).
My experience is very similar to what the Landlord below indicated. This is the first time that I rent my property (I am moving out of London). JDW were delightful to deal with whilst I was looking for a tenant (very affable and on appearances fairly helpful). The problems started once they found me a tenant:
(1) The charges soon mounted up (you can't get out of the tenancy agreement charge £275 + VAT, either they draft it or charge that to review yours), they deduct £250 for a couple of months towards a float for potential call out charges and they push you for the inventory to be outsourced (£225 + VAT). Whilst their terms of business clearly highlight this, it is not discussed before you are hooked.
(2) the tenancy agreement that they send you is a generic document, so it needs to reviewed very carefully as it is full of errors (I am solicitor). It begs the question as to you pay the princely sum £275 + VAT if you have to effectively re-draft it for them.
(3) you will not receive the rent for the first month or two or worse three months (depending on the amount of rent you get), as they deduct their 16% Management Fee upfront for the length of the tenancy, even though this is not spelled out in their contract with you. When challenged, they say that this is established practice.
(4) they promise to make the handover smooth, taking the hassle out for you, including switching over utilities. This is not true, the tenant called me a month into the rental to ask what to do regarding utilities, as he was expressly told that the Agent would take care of this and they hadn't. My contract with JDW was clear that this was their responsibility and hence part of the 16% management fee.
Anyway, I will not be renewing my property with them. So make what you want of my experience, I wish to stress that I do not know if I had a one off, bad experience or not.
However, to avoid what I went through, if you use John D Wood in Battersea my advice is as follows, BEFORE you sign any document or agree verbally to giving them a mandate to manage your property:
(1) Always communicate by email. (2) If you have a conversation with them in person or one the phone, back this up with an email to resume your understanding. (3) Ask for precise information as to when the first month's rent will hit your account (i.e.: which day after the tenant has paid, bank transfers nowadays are instant, so any delay due "bank systems" means that they are really sitting on the cash to earn interest). (4) Ask for confirmation for the amount of their management fees and when and how this is expected to be taken (do not get fobbed off with their terms of business, ask them to spell it out in an email). (5) Ask for confirmation as to who will be tasked for switching over utilities. (6) Ask for confirmation as how the tenant deposit protection scheme works, who looks after it, what the landlord's and tenant's rights are and how much it will cost to administer (again is this taken up front or monthly). (7) Ask for a copy of their complaints procedure and whether their terms of contract include:
(i) an undertaking to act truthfully and with integrity at all times (it does not, it only says that they will act with due care which does not cover misrepresentation). (ii) termination due to breach of contract or gross negligence by JDW, which results in them forfeiting their right to their management fee (it does not).
If you ask for all the above, you will be protected to an extent in that you will have written evidence of your negotiations to cover what is not covered in your contract with JDW. HOWEVER, just do not expect any good follow up or actual management of your property, based on my experience JDW's view is that the 16% management fee is their right irrespective of the service they provide.
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First time renter with John D ...
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1 Star Review
Thomas
By : 'Rana' Services : Letting( As a Owner ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW11
3 Sept 2013
People found this helpful27
First time renter with John D Wood. Cannot recommend them I am afraid. Charged me £275 to draft the Tenancy Agreement which was full of mistakes. They told me that they would clean the flat before moving in, they did not do this. 10 days after rental, the Landlord tells me that he still has not... Read Full Review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Responding to correspondence.
Paying rent promptly.
Following basic instructions (some of which were relayed 4 times).
Services : Letting( As a Owner )Date: 3rd Sep 2013
First time renter with John D Wood. Cannot recommend them I am afraid. Charged me £275 to draft the Tenancy Agreement which was full of mistakes. They told me that they would clean the flat before moving in, they did not do this. 10 days after rental, the Landlord tells me that he still has not been paid the rent and started getting threatening with me. Emails to the Property Manager go unanswered.
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Not good experience at ...
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1 Star Review
By : 'Gerrards' Services : Letting( As a Tenant ) Would you recommend ? : No Postcode : SW11
23 May 2013
People found this helpful27
Not good experience at all.
Took several weeks and a lot of chasing to recover my monies from their so-called "Registration fee" (read Extortionate fee). As to be expected their tendency not to respond, and ignore requests for explanation of their fees deducted also remains unanswered ... Read Full Review
Services : Letting( As a Tenant )Date: 23rd May 2013
Not good experience at all.
Took several weeks and a lot of chasing to recover my monies from their so-called "Registration fee" (read Extortionate fee). As to be expected their tendency not to respond, and ignore requests for explanation of their fees deducted also remains unanswered after many weeks.
No other paper-work done; no re-marketing done by them (at least no evidence yet provided to us).... And, methinks that in their own minds they are able to justify £250 for a credit check. Sharp pratices indeed.
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Just be mindful that the Office of Fair Trading got a ruling from the High Court in 2011, precisely to protect Landlords against such sharp practice of evergreen fees and renewal, the onus is now on...
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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.