78% sales valuation accuracy
88% sales fee satisfaction
Oct 12,2015
Oct 12,2015
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Prospects have let us down at every turn.
We had an offer and a deposit accepted on another property, but it was subsequently 'awarded' to another bidder, with no notice given to us until we started chasing.
With the property we did end up renting we were given no updates or information throughout the process. We informed Prospect that one of us would be away (holiday) from the 26th August, so contracts needed to be finalised by then, we assumed not a problem when the move in date was the 1st September. Unfortunately despite constant chasing (and being blatantly and unprofessionally ignored) the contracts failed to be completed on time and I had to take time out of my holiday to find internet access to sign contracts. Despite having over a month to sort out contracts and moving in Prospect FAILED to move us in on the 1st September and the contract instead started on the 5th.
So keeping in mind that the prospective tenant is the customer and is paying a large sum of money in letting fees, when we found out that Simon had negotiated the landlord up for monthly rent, had increased lettings fees and had negotiated a less favourable move in date - after being disgusted by this, but Simon thinking he had done well, our complaint led to more favourable outcomes on our behalf. We were unhappy we had been charged such high fees for actively negative outcomes.
So then comes to the management of the property. We have been living in the property for 6 weeks now, we logged a number of issues upon move in and 6 weeks later, around 10% of these issues have been resolved. Much of this is due to Prospect not having a set of management keys and failing to obtain a set. Such issues were a smashed up fridge, a shower that wasn't mounted to the wall, overgrown garden, broken freezer drawers, hobs that don't work, broken door handles - all of which have yet to be resolved. Chloe has repeatedly given long and complicated reasons for this not getting sorted, and has failed to put any completion dates into writing. To say this is a managed property and we are having to ring companies and take days off work to fit in workmen is a total failure on Prospect letting.
We had an offer and a deposit accepted on another property, but it was subsequently 'awarded' to another bidder, with no notice given to us until we started chasing.
With the property we did end up renting we were given no updates or information throughout the process. We informed Prospect that one of us would be away (holiday) from the 26th August, so contracts needed to be finalised by then, we assumed not a problem when the move in date was the 1st September. Unfortunately despite constant chasing (and being blatantly and unprofessionally ignored) the contracts failed to be completed on time and I had to take time out of my holiday to find internet access to sign contracts. Despite having over a month to sort out contracts and moving in Prospect FAILED to move us in on the 1st September and the contract instead started on the 5th.
So keeping in mind that the prospective tenant is the customer and is paying a large sum of money in letting fees, when we found out that Simon had negotiated the landlord up for monthly rent, had increased lettings fees and had negotiated a less favourable move in date - after being disgusted by this, but Simon thinking he had done well, our complaint led to more favourable outcomes on our behalf. We were unhappy we had been charged such high fees for actively negative outcomes.
So then comes to the management of the property. We have been living in the property for 6 weeks now, we logged a number of issues upon move in and 6 weeks later, around 10% of these issues have been resolved. Much of this is due to Prospect not having a set of management keys and failing to obtain a set. Such issues were a smashed up fridge, a shower that wasn't mounted to the wall, overgrown garden, broken freezer drawers, hobs that don't work, broken door handles - all of which have yet to be resolved. Chloe has repeatedly given long and complicated reasons for this not getting sorted, and has failed to put any completion dates into writing. To say this is a managed property and we are having to ring companies and take days off work to fit in workmen is a total failure on Prospect letting.
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Oct 19, 2015
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback, we are extremely sorry to hear that you have not experienced the level of customer service that we would expect you to have received during the start of your tenancy, we understand that you are in contact with Joanne Kay the Head of Property Management who we are sure will be happy to assist you moving forward.
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Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 78% | 88% | £117,000 | £490,000 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | 6 | 163 | 31 | 52 | 6 | 35 | 3 | 9 | 13 |
Areas covered
- RG8
- Reading
- RG7
- Woodley
- RG6
- Earley
- RG5
- RG4
- RG30
- RG2
- RG10
- RG1
- RG31
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Mar 06,2024
Mar 06,2024
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Reading Prospect are terrible. THEY DONT PAY THE CLEANERS they send to their properties. SHAME OF THEM. DO THEY KEEP CLIENTS MONEY ???...
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Mar 03,2024
Mar 03,2024
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This agent will do everything possible to keep your deposit. Despite paying for professional cleans, decorating and spending more time making your old house nice and shiny instead of getting your new house ready to be lived in, they will take you to the cleaners ...
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Dec 18,2023
Dec 18,2023
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Our experience has been very BAD and DISAPPONTING. We are renting a property with Prospect in Reading and it takes ages to resolve our issues, most of which have been outstanding for over 6 months. The landlord is very adamant about not completing basic repairs, as ...
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Dec 22,2022
Dec 22,2022
0
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Thank you for your help in selling our property.
Bernadette was a great help kept us informed all the way & had some great chats on phone...
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Oct 31,2022
Oct 31,2022
0
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Thank you to Ross, Bernadette and all the team at Prospect Reading for helping us with the sale of 5 investment properties over the last couple of years. They secured good deals for us and helped us navigate some difficult times during the transactions.
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Sep 15,2022
Sep 15,2022
0
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I can throughly recommend Prospect as they have been absolutely brilliant and would certainly use them again if I had another house for sale. From the first valuation meeting with Ross Hobbs and then through the setting up of viewings via Liam and then through ...
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Feb 16,2022
Feb 16,2022
0
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'Prospect' has recently helped me with selling my flat although my property was not the easiest to sell.
I recommend this estate agency as it is represented by very enthusiastic, professional and passionate people.
Thank you 'Prospect'!...
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Oct 26,2021
Oct 26,2021
1
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this helpful
I must say if you are thinking renting with Prospect agency please DON'T. When i came for the apartment viewing the agent agreed with everything i asked. It was very important for me the apartment to be pet friendly, the agent confirmed that on the ...
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Aug 18,2021
Aug 18,2021
0
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I genuinely couldn't stress enough to stay away from this business. They ignored the landlady for 6 weeks over a very simple request under her fully managed lettings contract. The only way we eventually managed to get them to contact us was by 3 visits to their ...
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Aug 18,2021
Aug 18,2021
0
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Predatory sales tactics, feels very impersonal and by the book. Only chasing the commission on sale and trying to get the quickest sale. Ended up selling through purple bricks for more than prospect estimated....
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Jan 13,2021
Jan 13,2021
0
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Really pleased with the service. Kurt was very helpful in making the process quick and easy as we were in quite a hurry to move out.
Thank you...
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Nov 27,2020
Nov 27,2020
0
people found
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I have my first renting experience from Prospect, as I know almost nothing about renting issue, their agent help me a lot about the house, from recommended property that meet my target, arrange virtual-viewing with a high-effectiveness, and response to my email so frequently! And ...
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Oct 30,2020
Oct 30,2020
0
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IF your property needs work, Do NOT sell with them as they UNDER SELL your property !!! BE Aware they will give you POOR ADVICE !!!...
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Aug 07,2020
Aug 07,2020
0
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The only saviour for Prospect are the team you deal with initially. Once you are in contract however, the management team is appalling. My rental direct debit was increased without my consent and I was bombarded with emails and letters asking for payment. I challenged ...
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Jul 20,2020
Jul 20,2020
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The check out process has been an absolute nightmare. I wasn't informed that the checkout will not be happening, due to Covid-19, till I had called to find out why no one had turned up. I was asked to drop the keys in their office, ...
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Mar 11,2020
Mar 11,2020
0
people found
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I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Ross Hobbs for his professionalism and support in securing the sale of my property. Throughout the process he unfailingly kept me updated and kept me positive. By far, the best estate agent manager I have ...
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Dec 20,2019
Dec 20,2019
1
people found
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this helpful
The service we received was appalling, we would not recommend Prospect to anyone, too many mistakes were made, our messages were ignored, customer service was very poor and in general the staff we dealt with were unreasonable, inconsiderate which as a result made the whole ...
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Jun 25,2019
Jun 25,2019
0
people found
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Arranged a viewing to purchase a property! Appointment time came & went. Rang the agency to be told there was no booking in the diary! Lots of apologies & viewing rescheduled. Time came but no show again. Rang agency to be told (again) no appointment was showing ...
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Aug 08,2018
Aug 08,2018
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The first time we viewed properties with Prospect the estate agent was 15 minutes late with no courtesy call. The agent had very little details on the history of the landlord and detailed specifics of the property such as council tax bands and parking permits etc. ...
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Comment on agent fees
I believe the fees were around £350 and £500 holding deposits
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Nov 18, 2018
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(1)
You are absolutely right! They are in only for the money and almost all of them are unprofessional. They try to, but don't succeed! They are always on the side of the landlords and are trying to rip the other side off and do not care!
Would not recommend them as estate agents! Avoid!!! ...
Jun 12,2018
Jun 12,2018
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
They never solve the problem. Always saying the Landlord is away and never answer the phone. Then, why an estate agency exist if is not to take own decisions without confirmation from the landlord? Then go away and I will contact the Landlord directly.
At ...
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Comment on agent fees
For what they have done, bad.
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May 29,2018
May 29,2018
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I've been with this agency for 5 years and now I am leaving the service has gone from terrible to outrageously bad! I've had to live with mould, ceilings falling down then being propped up with metal posts...yes whilst still living in the property! Electric ...
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Comment on agent fees
Fees are ridiculous, they make you sign short hold so they can charge £115 every 6 months
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Mar 06,2018
Mar 06,2018
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Horrible services. Tenant manager never picks up the phone. Have a home emergency and the emergency line is sending me to voice mail as well. Deplorable. I do not recommend this AT ALL....
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Comment on agent fees
Really bad
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Apr 05, 2018
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We are sorry that you have had problems getting through to your Property Manager.
We are currently trying to get hold of you to arrange for the plumber to come to the property to finish to outstanding works for you, so please could call Mrs J Kay (Head of Property Management) on 0118 955 9740 as soon as possible. ...
Feb 28,2018
Feb 28,2018
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Fantastic customer service from Simon West. Very professional and efficient ! Fantastic advice about the rental market and he is very knowledgable about the area. Very efficient in dealing with any queries. 5 star service!...
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Mar 06, 2018
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Thank you for the five star review. ...
Jan 22,2018
Jan 22,2018
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Elizabeth is an amazing agent and makes everything about renting just that little bit easier. If there is a problem she will do her best to not only resolve the problem but to ensure that you are up to date with progress. I have been ...
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Comment on agent fees
Fees are not the best but are far from the worst in Reading
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Jan 22, 2018
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The picture shown is not the person I choose.. It should be Elizabeth Savery!! ...
Dec 09,2017
Dec 09,2017
0
people found
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We are well looked after by Elizabeth Savery who is very efficient and is always a pleasure to deal with....
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Comment on agent fees
We are happy with the fees charged.
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Jan 09, 2018
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Thank you for sharing your experience with Elizabeth. ...
Jun 23,2017
Jun 23,2017
9
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The agency has quite high prices, which don't correspond to the quality of service they provide. They have a poor management of the properties, they fail by giving you all the keys of the property when you move in, they also fail by providing a ...
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Comment on agent fees
Very expensive for what you get
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Jun 18,2017
Jun 18,2017
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I have rented a flat from this agent since last 7 months. Since last 6 weeks i raised a complaint of sink and shower water not draining completely. Also few days back they stopped draining. Still the condition is same.
I dont want to name the employee.
...
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Comment on agent fees
I dont know what i paid for. Just to sign few papers i guess. Poor service
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Jun 28, 2017
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I am sorry to hear that you have not had a proactive speedy response to your maintenance issue, Joanne Kay the Head of Property Management will be in touch with you shortly to follow up on this matter. ...
Jun 14,2017
Jun 14,2017
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Excellent service from start to finish all staff involved acted in a very professional a manner.
Special mention to Matthew and a massive thanks to Josh who was absolutely brilliant.
Having originally put the property on with another centrally located agent the difference between them ...
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Comment on agent fees
Fees were on par with other 'upmarket' agencies
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May 04,2017
May 04,2017
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
What can I say. I've used a few Lettings agents over the years and this guys take the biscuit. Wonderful before I joined and paid up then repairs issues came up and getting in touch became a problem. chase up and leave messages that were ...
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May 10, 2017
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We are disappointed to hear you have not received expected communication regarding your tenancy, I understand that Joanne Kay has been in contact and assisting with a resolve for you. ...
Mar 29,2017
Mar 29,2017
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
we joined this agency a month ago, renting a house in bracknell i was dealt with Olivia in bracknell branch who was exceptional and received great service however near our move date we have been told that Chloe will be our property manager, it started ...
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Last updated at 10:08 AM 14/01/2016 by allAgents
