100% sales valuation accuracy
100% sales fee satisfaction
75% lettings valuation accuracy
43% lettings fee satisfaction
Sep 04,2014
Sep 04,2014
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
From the very start, Steven Oates had proven themselves to be incompetent, unprofessional, lying estate agents. Please note: the end of this review reveals the extent of the illegal practice of this company. The first instance was them giving me and my fiancƒÂ© incorrect directions for the property (it was a new development so the Sat Nav was not helpful.) When we finally arrived at the property for the arranged viewing, the agent had left for another town, meaning our long journey had been a waste of time and we had to return another day. Upon moving-in day, we were surprised with a flood in the bathroom which had made its way through to the kitchen. Also, the fridge, which we were told would have been cleaned/brand new, was in fact black with mould. We were not supplied with energy rating documents and other such documents which are legally required, even after requesting them. Now come the real issues...
Our property had not been registered with the council, yet Steven Oates were claiming council tax from all the building's tenants, supposedly included in the rent. When we brought this issue to their attention and said we would inform the council, we were threatened with eviction - because THEY were BREAKING THE LAW. They tried to worm their way out by claiming that council tax was not in fact included with the rent, despite making it very clear beforehand that it was.
A huge legion of mould had began to grow in the bathroom; all sorts of fur and colour. We called Steven Oates on more occasions than I can possibly recall, yet we never received the call back we were promised, and nothing had been reported to the landlord, evidently. My fiancƒÂ© soon developed a chronic cough, mostly likely due to the mould, and the bathroom was definitely uninhabitable by any standards.
In January, I called them to ask why we had received no email or call from the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS.) Steven Oates assured us that our deposit had been put in. Months later, when we arranged a move out date, we enquired about our deposit again. It turns out they had only put the deposit into the DPS in January (after we initially enquired) and then a second deposit had been put in under our name (spelt incorrectly with the wrong email address) AFTER we arranged a move out date. Blatantly ILLEGAL and grossly incompetent; how could they put our deposit in twice without realising?
Upon moving out, we found that our furniture had mould growing on it (due to the SEVERAL floods we had endured) and when we asked about compensation, Steven Oates tried to blame the mould on us, despite the mould being present in every flat on our floor and in the hallway.
Next, the landlord (supposedly) entered the flat, without prior notice, and finally redecorated the bathroom - a few days before we moved out - and helped himself to the £16 tin of paint I had bought to repaint the holes where the curtain pole had been. Getting the landlord's contact details for reimbursement took 6 phone calls to Steven Oates, being told on the final call that I had "already been given the landlord's number" - either lying or mistaken.
Steven Oates called 10 minutes before our arranged check out time, to cancel on us, with no justifiable reason. We were told to leave the keys in the flat, with the door unlocked....
There are countless other instances of incompetence I could list, but I could go on for a while. Bottom line, AVOID STEVEN OATES LIKE THE PLAGUE. They will make your life hell with their lies and unprofessionalism. My fiancƒÂ© and I were perfect tenants, yet we still had to endure the above and more. Please, do not choose Steven Oates. They are quite literally impossible to underestimate.
Our property had not been registered with the council, yet Steven Oates were claiming council tax from all the building's tenants, supposedly included in the rent. When we brought this issue to their attention and said we would inform the council, we were threatened with eviction - because THEY were BREAKING THE LAW. They tried to worm their way out by claiming that council tax was not in fact included with the rent, despite making it very clear beforehand that it was.
A huge legion of mould had began to grow in the bathroom; all sorts of fur and colour. We called Steven Oates on more occasions than I can possibly recall, yet we never received the call back we were promised, and nothing had been reported to the landlord, evidently. My fiancƒÂ© soon developed a chronic cough, mostly likely due to the mould, and the bathroom was definitely uninhabitable by any standards.
In January, I called them to ask why we had received no email or call from the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS.) Steven Oates assured us that our deposit had been put in. Months later, when we arranged a move out date, we enquired about our deposit again. It turns out they had only put the deposit into the DPS in January (after we initially enquired) and then a second deposit had been put in under our name (spelt incorrectly with the wrong email address) AFTER we arranged a move out date. Blatantly ILLEGAL and grossly incompetent; how could they put our deposit in twice without realising?
Upon moving out, we found that our furniture had mould growing on it (due to the SEVERAL floods we had endured) and when we asked about compensation, Steven Oates tried to blame the mould on us, despite the mould being present in every flat on our floor and in the hallway.
Next, the landlord (supposedly) entered the flat, without prior notice, and finally redecorated the bathroom - a few days before we moved out - and helped himself to the £16 tin of paint I had bought to repaint the holes where the curtain pole had been. Getting the landlord's contact details for reimbursement took 6 phone calls to Steven Oates, being told on the final call that I had "already been given the landlord's number" - either lying or mistaken.
Steven Oates called 10 minutes before our arranged check out time, to cancel on us, with no justifiable reason. We were told to leave the keys in the flat, with the door unlocked....
There are countless other instances of incompetence I could list, but I could go on for a while. Bottom line, AVOID STEVEN OATES LIKE THE PLAGUE. They will make your life hell with their lies and unprofessionalism. My fiancƒÂ© and I were perfect tenants, yet we still had to endure the above and more. Please, do not choose Steven Oates. They are quite literally impossible to underestimate.
What agent could do to change your mind?
Find another industry to work in.Attached Filesnbsp;
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Latest Reviews
16th Sep 2021
reviewed by 'Paul Buckley'
1st Feb 2021
reviewed by 'Mrs'
25th Jul 2020
reviewed by 'Matthias'
25th Sep 2019
reviewed by 'Chris'
12th Apr 2018
reviewed by 'Mark'
8th Jan 2018
reviewed by 'Katie'
Opening Hours
Address
Steven Oates
70 Fore Street
Hertford
Hertfordshire
SG14 1BY
01992 303300
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 100% | 100% | £300,000 | £300,000 |
| Lettings | 75% | 43% | £600 | £1,400 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Latest Properties
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Sep 16,2021
Sep 16,2021
0
people found
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I’ve now had the pleasure of using both the letting services and the property sales services and am delighted that both achieved the same high levels - specially given the difficult market conditions. Thanks to Andy and Colin and the teams...
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Feb 01,2021
Feb 01,2021
0
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A fantastic service! Thank you for making the experience of moving so much easier for my Mother! It had been an uphill struggle but then, after changing to Steven Oates and with the help of good team, the properity sold! We would like to thank ...
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Jul 25,2020
Jul 25,2020
2
people found
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When entering my second one-year managed let agreement with Stephen Oates (SO), I did so following their claim that they have taken references and that my tenant was employed FT by Enfield Council (point 1).
But SO repeatedly refused to share the references with me, which ...
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Sep 25,2019
Sep 25,2019
0
people found
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Professional, proactive and productive.
Thank you to all the team at Steven Oates. A massive thank you to Sam who kept us up to date throughout the process....
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Apr 12,2018
Apr 12,2018
0
people found
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I can honestly say I had no real issues with the letting team at Steven Oates - Hertford when they managed the a property of mine. Only thing is their appointed contractors did seem a little expensive when required to go in and do the ...
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Comment on agent fees
They were competitive
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Jan 08,2018
Jan 08,2018
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Absolutely appalling service, we have used Steven Oates for one of our rental properties and have had nothing but agro with them. Simon has a complete lack of professionalism, doesn't reply to emails for days/weeks, and generally does not care if you are a ...
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Nov 09,2017
Nov 09,2017
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
If you'd like to waste countless hours of your time chasing actions, be constantly provided incorrect information and generally ripped off at every angle then this is the rental agency for you.
After living in multiple places in both the UK and the United States ...
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Comment on agent fees
Fees are overpriced. Especially checkout fees when managed by in-house staff on unfurnished properties.
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Nov 07,2017
Nov 07,2017
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Like another's reviewer I only gave one star because couldn't give zero....I am not sure how Steven Oates are still in business, they are rude, untrustworthy, charge a premium, give no service, have no ethics and leave it up to the buyer and seller ...
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May 10,2017
May 10,2017
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We rarely write reviews, but felt compelled to as we have been really pleased with Steven Oates. Having recently bought and sold through them, we can and have recommended them. Through the process, which always seems to take longer than it should, they were always ...
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Apr 10,2017
Apr 10,2017
0
people found
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Only giving one star because I cannot give none! Arranged a viewing on a property nearly two weeks in advance due to it being an open day event. Did not receive confirmation of the viewing as advised. Had to chase up on the day of ...
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Feb 29,2016
Feb 29,2016
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
As a landlord I am very disappointed with the level of service. Other than process the payments the fully managed fee counts for nothing. Issues with both property are raised and said to be dealt with but remain. Communication poor. Make out as if the ...
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Sep 04,2014
Sep 04,2014
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
From the very start, Steven Oates had proven themselves to be incompetent, unprofessional, lying estate agents. Please note: the end of this review reveals the extent of the illegal practice of this company. The first instance was them giving me and my fiancƒÂ© incorrect directions ...
read full review
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Find another industry to work in.Attached Filesnbsp;
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May 02,2014
May 02,2014
0
people found
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I have recently movedd out of a property managed by Steven Oates and although it wasnt the best property I had ever lived in the customer service skill of the agents were great and helped ease the stress of what was a very difficulty transitional ...
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Apr 10,2013
Apr 10,2013
2
people found
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We had a property through these agents. They were fine whilst we were occupants but they have been appalling since.
They quoted us £190 to come out of our damage deposit for professional cleaning, which we agreed to, but then after it had been done told ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
We had a property through these agents. They were fine whilst we were occupants but they have been appalling since. They quoted us ‚£190 to come out of our damage deposit for professional cleaning, which we agreed to, but then after it had been done told us it would be ‚£300. Obviously they haven't produced the invoice for us, but I accept this could have been the cost; it just would have been nice to have been advised of this. They have also failed to contact us once regarding how to get our damage deposit back. We have phoned repeatedly to be told time after time that ¢â‚¬Ëœno one from Lettings is available to take your call, but they will call you back ASAP.' The only times we have successfully spoken to someone from Lettings is when we have made contact, they have repeatedly said they will look at the situation immediately and call us back. As of yet, we have never had a phone call back. We have now moved to new properties and after 2 weeks of being vacant from the old flat we still don't know how much they want from us, or how or when we can get back our money. I have never had issues like this with other agents. Deposits have always been paid out within a matter of days. I am also aware that the agents¢â‚¬â„¢ need to come to an agreement with the landlord¢â‚¬â„¢s but for this to have still not happened, nor to be informed of what is taking place is absolutely unacceptable. The last time I was able to get through to someone in Lettings (5 days ago) they were rude and dismissive about the situation, though in fairness other members of staff have been polite (if ineffective). I have now had to guess at the amount and inform the DPS myself how much deposit we expect back and sincerely hope the agents agree to this. However I'm resigned to the situation that I probably won't hear a response for another couple of weeks. If anyone from the company would like to dispute any of the above then I would welcome the dialogue with them, as phone calls clearly don¢â‚¬â„¢t seem to be an appropriate form of contact. I would urge people to think carefully before signing up with this company. I hope that ours is an isolated incident but I felt compelled to write honestly about our experience as I cannot possibly recommend them. A seriously unprofessional and frustrating experience.Attached Filesnbsp;
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Feb 29, 2016
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Tom, bob I hear you. 2016 and nothing has changed... ...
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