67% sales valuation accuracy
100% sales fee satisfaction
100% lettings valuation accuracy
50% lettings fee satisfaction
Nov 28,2015
Nov 28,2015
9
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Honesty, courtesy, customer care and professionalism are words that, in our bitter experience, could never be associated with Countrywide Residential Letting and their subsidiary, Fulfords Lettings of Exmouth. It is glaringly obvious that they are interested only in making money – by any means. In our short but unhappy dealings with this organisation, they were grossly dishonest, indifferent, rude and amateur in all their dealings. So much so that we took them to the Property Ombudsman, who eventually awarded in our favour.
Firstly, and most importantly, the employee at Fulfords lied about obtaining a reference from the previous letting agents, failed to do a proper financial check and thus landed us with the proverbial ‘tenants from hell'. A 30 second Google search showing a Court report regarding one of these tenants would have shown their undesirability. In short, neighbours were subjected to obscene screaming, noise and abuse from the day they moved in. Damage was caused to the property, police were involved several times and they lied on their application form regarding their previous tenancy and being non-smokers. When we finally got them out, we were again lied to by Fulfords about the final inspection. Our complaints were shockingly badly dealt with by Countrywide Residential Lettings throughout, while they repeatedly broke the Property Ombudsman's Code of Practice.
At no stage was any apology made for the considerable stress and expense caused by Fulfords' gross negligence. When the award cheque was received from Countrywide, there was still no letter of apology and unfortunately, everything seemed to point to the fact that Countrywide Residential Lettings management condoned their staff's lamentable behaviour. They appear to support a policy of obtaining business by any means, with no fear of staff losing their jobs. This is backed up, not just by our deeply unpleasant experience, but also by the large number of negative reviews on the Internet, their low ranking among their competitors and lack of any signs that senior management, from the Countrywide Residential Lettings CEO Alison Platt downwards, were prepared to take any action to correct their lack of business ethics.
My advice is to avoid them or it could cost you dear, and not just in monetary terms. Every organisation makes occasional mistakes but it is how these are dealt with that shows the true worth of any company. As far as I am concerned, Countrywide Residential Lettings and Fulford Residential Letting failed dismally with every aspect of what they laughingly called ‘award-winning service' and customer care doesn't appear to be in their vocabulary.
Firstly, and most importantly, the employee at Fulfords lied about obtaining a reference from the previous letting agents, failed to do a proper financial check and thus landed us with the proverbial ‘tenants from hell'. A 30 second Google search showing a Court report regarding one of these tenants would have shown their undesirability. In short, neighbours were subjected to obscene screaming, noise and abuse from the day they moved in. Damage was caused to the property, police were involved several times and they lied on their application form regarding their previous tenancy and being non-smokers. When we finally got them out, we were again lied to by Fulfords about the final inspection. Our complaints were shockingly badly dealt with by Countrywide Residential Lettings throughout, while they repeatedly broke the Property Ombudsman's Code of Practice.
At no stage was any apology made for the considerable stress and expense caused by Fulfords' gross negligence. When the award cheque was received from Countrywide, there was still no letter of apology and unfortunately, everything seemed to point to the fact that Countrywide Residential Lettings management condoned their staff's lamentable behaviour. They appear to support a policy of obtaining business by any means, with no fear of staff losing their jobs. This is backed up, not just by our deeply unpleasant experience, but also by the large number of negative reviews on the Internet, their low ranking among their competitors and lack of any signs that senior management, from the Countrywide Residential Lettings CEO Alison Platt downwards, were prepared to take any action to correct their lack of business ethics.
My advice is to avoid them or it could cost you dear, and not just in monetary terms. Every organisation makes occasional mistakes but it is how these are dealt with that shows the true worth of any company. As far as I am concerned, Countrywide Residential Lettings and Fulford Residential Letting failed dismally with every aspect of what they laughingly called ‘award-winning service' and customer care doesn't appear to be in their vocabulary.
What agent could do to change your mind?
Extremely high fees and will charge for just about everything, even if not done to an acceptable standard. Should have studied reviews prior to using this agent where reasonably priced and competent organisations can be found.Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
Extremely high fees and will charge for just about everything, even if not done to an acceptable standard. Should have studied reviews prior to using this agent where reasonably priced and competent organisations can be found.
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Latest Reviews
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Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 67% | 100% | £315,000 | £315,000 |
| Lettings | 100% | 50% | £675 | £1,000 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Jul 13,2024
Jul 13,2024
0
people found
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Currently withholding over a year's rent on my late father's property which they are managing....
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Mar 14,2024
Mar 14,2024
0
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I was delighted with the very able assistance by the leasing manager of the Exmouth branch.
Sara Scott-Hake is a consummate professional, guiding a rather confused older man through the complex (To me) process of home rental.
Should the need arise I would not hesitate ...
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Dec 18,2023
Dec 18,2023
0
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Perfect service! Sarah is able to organize a very difficult issue. I couldn’t ask better...
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Aug 17,2023
Aug 17,2023
0
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Excellent team at Fulfords Exmouth provided well thought through and realistic valuation and then helped progress our sale effectively but diplomatically for all sides and ensured it got over the line as quickly as it could. Would recommend them to anyone looking to sell....
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Jan 14,2022
Jan 14,2022
0
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We had the best experience with Kathleen in the Exmouth branch while we have been selling our flat. The communication was the most reassuring and she continually kept us up to date. The staff as a whole were pleasant and helpful and always get back ...
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Nov 20,2020
Nov 20,2020
0
people found
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Barry Devlin and his team in Exmouth, particularly Kathleen and Gareth, were really supportive and helpful during the sales process for my house. It was a tough journey, especially with me living in Birmingham and the house in Otterton. There was building work to be ...
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Nov 28,2015
Nov 28,2015
9
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Honesty, courtesy, customer care and professionalism are words that, in our bitter experience, could never be associated with Countrywide Residential Letting and their subsidiary, Fulfords Lettings of Exmouth. It is glaringly obvious that they are interested only in making money – by any means. In our ...
read full review
read full review
What agent could do to change your mind?
Extremely high fees and will charge for just about everything, even if not done to an acceptable standard. Should have studied reviews prior to using this agent where reasonably priced and competent organisations can be found.Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
Extremely high fees and will charge for just about everything, even if not done to an acceptable standard. Should have studied reviews prior to using this agent where reasonably priced and competent organisations can be found.
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Aug 30,2013
Aug 30,2013
7
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Where to start... 1 start is more than deserved.
Firstly, we had to chase them to pay deposits, sign papers etc just days before moving. Bearing in mind they knew we were moving from London. On arriving at 6pm to collect keys we were told we ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Fulfords need to hire competent staff in exmouth as their exeter branch seem so much better!! Really is just rude incompetent staff that do not careAttached Filesnbsp;
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Dec 07,2012
Dec 07,2012
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I rented a flat from these charlatans for 12 months.The boiler was often going wrong and Fulfords/Countrywide approach to this was appalling.When i first moved in it took them a week to sort out the boiler.During the summer i had to wait ...
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Apr 14,2011
Apr 14,2011
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
My daughter & family started renting about 6 weeks ago and they now want them out because they have a buyer and want to sell it. They are trying to introduce their own interpretations of the laws of this land. Beware! Beware! Beware! Plus they make you ...
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No fees information available
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.
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