0% sales valuation accuracy
0% sales fee satisfaction
0% lettings valuation accuracy
0% lettings fee satisfaction
Nov 01,2017
Nov 01,2017
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We were extremely pleased with Ellis when we moved into our Tonbridge property, due to the polite nature of the staff and their eagerness for us to get comfortable in our new home.
However, when we later needed to request permission to break the contract (due to getting work in a distant city), we found there were few things more difficult.
First of all we were asked to pay additional cash to "put the house back on the market", which we did. The deal for us was that we could move out when new tenants were found. We raised our eyebrows when they, obviously with nothing to lose other than having unhappy tenants, raised the rent for prospective tenants by 10% more than what we were paying.
After initially allowing us to break the contract, we were then thrust into a situation where we were told that we would need to vacate the property within a week or, subsequently, the offer to break the contract would be retracted.
By this time, we had already put down a deposit on a new home that we were staying at for small periods. This new situation had us staring down the barrel of an additional three months rent that we certainly couldn't afford on top of our new house.
While we were happy a new tenant was found, we were told dates to arrange moving our furniture, beds and other goods a solid 200 miles within seven days. This was simply impossible.
After I told them it was not possible to move in such a short space of time, the agents sent an email to my partner (conveniently leaving me out) instead asking her to confirm that this date was ok.
Between the stress of moving, the stress of these deadlines (and a bizarre episode where I was accused of being a drug dealer) we were now being played against each other.
I can only assume that the agents considered our "new jobs" as cover stories and assumed instead that we'd broken up. Perhaps a clever way of getting a required confirmation but, in my eyes, a very shady practice.
Would not recommend. I've had many below average interactions with lettings agents - but I've never known a firm to blackmail, lie and be callously cold to two young people trying to make their way in the world.
However, when we later needed to request permission to break the contract (due to getting work in a distant city), we found there were few things more difficult.
First of all we were asked to pay additional cash to "put the house back on the market", which we did. The deal for us was that we could move out when new tenants were found. We raised our eyebrows when they, obviously with nothing to lose other than having unhappy tenants, raised the rent for prospective tenants by 10% more than what we were paying.
After initially allowing us to break the contract, we were then thrust into a situation where we were told that we would need to vacate the property within a week or, subsequently, the offer to break the contract would be retracted.
By this time, we had already put down a deposit on a new home that we were staying at for small periods. This new situation had us staring down the barrel of an additional three months rent that we certainly couldn't afford on top of our new house.
While we were happy a new tenant was found, we were told dates to arrange moving our furniture, beds and other goods a solid 200 miles within seven days. This was simply impossible.
After I told them it was not possible to move in such a short space of time, the agents sent an email to my partner (conveniently leaving me out) instead asking her to confirm that this date was ok.
Between the stress of moving, the stress of these deadlines (and a bizarre episode where I was accused of being a drug dealer) we were now being played against each other.
I can only assume that the agents considered our "new jobs" as cover stories and assumed instead that we'd broken up. Perhaps a clever way of getting a required confirmation but, in my eyes, a very shady practice.
Would not recommend. I've had many below average interactions with lettings agents - but I've never known a firm to blackmail, lie and be callously cold to two young people trying to make their way in the world.
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Latest Reviews
25th Oct 2019
reviewed by 'Andrew'
17th Jan 2018
reviewed by 'Ms'
1st Nov 2017
reviewed by 'Mijt'
7th Mar 2013
reviewed by 'Nicki'
Opening Hours
Address
Ellis & Co
93 High Street
Tonbridge
Kent
TN9 1DR
01732 770077
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 0% | 0% | £0 | £0 |
| Lettings | 0% | 0% | £995 | £1,150 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Oct 25,2019
Oct 25,2019
0
people found
this helpful
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have been renting a house through Ellis & Co in Tonbridge now for 5 and a half years and will now be moving into my own home next month. From the start they have done all they can to accommodate any issues or needs from me including ...
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May 20,2019
May 20,2019
0
people found
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Absolutely awful!
Couldn't recommend less to go through them. All they want is money and therefore will always take landlord side and be absolutely absurd and rude and do anything for them.
Our contract is also full of mistake after had a good reading through ...
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Jan 17,2018
Jan 17,2018
0
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Excellent updates from the agents on a regular basis, pro active & professional service, I can highly recommend them....
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Nov 01,2017
Nov 01,2017
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We were extremely pleased with Ellis when we moved into our Tonbridge property, due to the polite nature of the staff and their eagerness for us to get comfortable in our new home.
However, when we later needed to request permission to break the contract (...
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Nov 06, 2017
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(1)
Dear Mijt,
As the business owner I am disappointed to see your review as I feel that we went above and beyond to assist you with your request to terminate your tenancy early.
We agreed with the landlord and yourselves that you could be released early subject to suitable replacement tenants being found. This agreement was mutual and on the basis that you as the outgoing tenants covered the up-front costs involved in finding a replacement tenant as it is unfair to expect the landlord to be fina ...
Mar 07,2013
Mar 07,2013
0
people found
this helpful
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Both Tom and Peter are excellent at dealing with any issues that arise within my property, and informing me of any pending issues that I should be aware of. They are very helpful and easy to talk with and understanding from the landlady's position. When ...
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Jan 10,2013
Jan 10,2013
0
people found
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A very professional and good value service from start to finish.
Always kept informed of developments regarding the sale.
Recommended....
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Jul 13,2012
Jul 13,2012
0
people found
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Ellis and Co have handled our rental property in a very professional way. They have dealt with all aspects of the property management and their handling of the change over of tenant was excellent....
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Mar 10,2012
Mar 10,2012
0
people found
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Ellis and Co offered an excellent service. Tom knew my needs and showed me only relevant properties instead of showing me everything they had like some agents tend to do. I received a high level of professional service and would definitely recommend....
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Mar 05,2012
Mar 05,2012
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I used Ellis and Co in Tonbridge to find me a tenant for my rental property. Even though the property is not in the area that they normally deal in, they found me a suitable tenant before an agent local to the property. They handled ...
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Mar 02,2012
Mar 02,2012
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Our company has been using the services of this office for about 18 months to assist us to find tenants for our properties. We have always found them to be very professional in the manner in which they deal both with us and with prospective tenants. ...
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Feb 29,2012
Feb 29,2012
0
people found
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I have rented out my two properties with Ellis & Co since August 2007, and have received the most professional service one could imagine. Tom Parry (from a landlord/landlady point of view), has been so efficient dealing with my tenants, and any services required by them ...
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Feb 28,2012
Feb 28,2012
0
people found
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Ellis and Co were very helpful and professional in finding me a new tenant for my property. They acted immediately on receiving my instructions to advertise the property. Within 2 days they had several propspective tenants viewing the flat. They then dealt with all the practical ...
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Oct 31,2011
Oct 31,2011
0
people found
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We've just recently completed a purchase through Ellis, and it is confirmation at least that miracles do happen. At several points during the transaction we were convinced that Ellis were doing everything in their power to cause the purchase to fail, and were almost resigned ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Been more helpful Been less vindictive and obstructive Stuck to processes - not moved the goalposts regarding taking the property off the market Been someone other than Ellis!!!!Attached Filesnbsp;
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Nov 03, 2011
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Dear SJC, my name is Peter Conetta and I am the business owner here at Tonbridge and you can contact me at [email protected] or 01732/770077. I am very sorry to read that you were unhappy with the way this transaction progressed especially as I believe you have used our services previously. An agents job is never easy, especially when you are sitting between two parties who may not see eye to eye and, at times, we may come across as being awkward however please be assured that none of this ...
Oct 09,2011
Oct 09,2011
0
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I recently sold my property with Ellis, and they were absolutely fantastic. They went well above the call of duty in my mind. Not only providing a personal service and great regular feedback on my sale, but also assisting in the constant communication between me, ...
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Jan 10, 2012
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Thankyou James, It was a pleasure x Kellyzee ...
Sep 15,2011
Sep 15,2011
0
people found
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I was very pleased with professional and friendly way the sale of my property was handled. I was kept in the picture at all times. I also used this agent in the purchase of my new property....
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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.
Complaints Procedure
No procedure available.
As the business owner I am disappointed to see your review as I feel that we went above and beyond to assist you with your request to terminate your tenancy early.
We agreed with the landlord and yourselves that you could be released early subject to suitable replacement tenants being found. This agreement was mutual and on the basis that you as the outgoing tenants covered the up-front costs involved in finding a replacement tenant as it is unfair to expect the landlord to be financially out of pocket as a result of a tenant breaking their contract - which is standard industry practice.
No cash was paid up front to put the property on the market, and no costs were recovered until after a new tenant had moved into the property. As is normal in these circumstances, the property was advertised at the market rent.
A new tenant was lined up and then we were advised by yourselves that we hadn't given you enough time to move out. To resolve this we had to find that tenant an alternative property plus find another tenant who could move in at a more convenient time for you, which we managed to do, saving you over £1000.
We as an agent pride ourselves in excellent customer service to both landlords and tenants and due to the fast moving nature of the rental market, it is not always possible to give large amounts of notice in these situations.
Please call the office should you wish to discuss anything further with me.
Kind regards
Tom