Jul 02,2021
Jul 02,2021
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I'm unable to recommend Empire as my experience was poor and caused me a lot of stress. The issues I experienced were as follows:
- DIRTY/LACK OF CLEANING
On moving in to my room, I found a toenail on the floor. Lovely start. The advertised cleaner did nothing (when she did turn up). She repeatedly didn't even show up (bet they still charged the landlord for her though!) – it was a 6 bed house & cleaning was essential. In the summer, there were bug eggs in the kitchen due to the fact that there were so many tenants and no cleaner. It was absolutely disgusting, I've never seen anything like it. Empire were told about this & provided with photos to which they repeatedly said that the cleaner would be coming to sort it out... on the next two visits she didn't even sweep, let alone remove the eggs. She then apparently did a 'deep clean'... this was just another lie.
- DRUG SMOKING HOUSEMATES (NON-SMOKING HOUSE) & DODGY PEOPLE
At least two tenants smoked weed constantly in their rooms & when reported Empire - as usual - did nothing as they said they couldn't "prove" who it was. They advertise a professional houseshare but it wasn't. Who knows what other criminal enterprises were going on in the house - some very dodgy characters in and out who disappeared at random. The house was not a nice place and didn't feel safe.
- APPLIANCE ISSUES
The dishwasher was full of mouldy crockery & mould inside, probably a health hazard. The tumble dryer door was faulty so it wouldn't turn on until one of the male tenants could wrestle it shut. (It was eventually replaced.) The boiler was LOCKED and the heating controlled by the agency. The shower and sink in 1 bathroom frequently blocked so by the end of a shower you'd be ankle deep in water. There was some kind of alarm in the hallway just as you entered the house which beeped constantly. I heard the tenant in the room opposite the box moved out because of this noise – but Empire couldn't care less and never fixed it.
- INTERRUPTED IN MY ROOM BY STRANGERS (TWICE)
When I was in bed the door unlocked to someone from the agency & a viewer, apparently they 'thought it was empty'. Another lie, (they come very easily to Empire) more like 'hoped' it was empty! They unbelievably did this twice, I wasn't given any notice of these viewings (a legal requirement) and I received no apology. Paul Tanner couldn't care less about anyone's privacy and breaks the law with impunity. The only time I ever saw staff at the house was when they were showing people around (and illegally entering current tenant's rooms) or hurriedly clearing out the room of someone who'd done a runner.
In the interests of balance the rent was low and the landlord also replaced the mattress at my request.
Empire's attitude shows ambivalence and a lack of respect towards tenants. After escalating complaints to the owner Paul Tanner he actually said to me 'I don't usually allow tenants to email me directly'. Lol funny because I just did… I don't know how people like this dress themselves in the morning let alone run a business. He was disingenuous and dishonest on the phone and as expected I never heard from him again – until I left a review that is. Unfortunately for him I'd moved out and on by that point. If you don't like bad reviews Paul, I suggest running your business with more integrity and care for others and you might get fewer of them.
As with most agencies Empire aren't to be trusted. It was a painful waste of my time to have to continually deal with arrogant, unqualified, grasping morons and attempt to get them to fulfil their legal obligations so for your own sanity, AVOID!
- DIRTY/LACK OF CLEANING
On moving in to my room, I found a toenail on the floor. Lovely start. The advertised cleaner did nothing (when she did turn up). She repeatedly didn't even show up (bet they still charged the landlord for her though!) – it was a 6 bed house & cleaning was essential. In the summer, there were bug eggs in the kitchen due to the fact that there were so many tenants and no cleaner. It was absolutely disgusting, I've never seen anything like it. Empire were told about this & provided with photos to which they repeatedly said that the cleaner would be coming to sort it out... on the next two visits she didn't even sweep, let alone remove the eggs. She then apparently did a 'deep clean'... this was just another lie.
- DRUG SMOKING HOUSEMATES (NON-SMOKING HOUSE) & DODGY PEOPLE
At least two tenants smoked weed constantly in their rooms & when reported Empire - as usual - did nothing as they said they couldn't "prove" who it was. They advertise a professional houseshare but it wasn't. Who knows what other criminal enterprises were going on in the house - some very dodgy characters in and out who disappeared at random. The house was not a nice place and didn't feel safe.
- APPLIANCE ISSUES
The dishwasher was full of mouldy crockery & mould inside, probably a health hazard. The tumble dryer door was faulty so it wouldn't turn on until one of the male tenants could wrestle it shut. (It was eventually replaced.) The boiler was LOCKED and the heating controlled by the agency. The shower and sink in 1 bathroom frequently blocked so by the end of a shower you'd be ankle deep in water. There was some kind of alarm in the hallway just as you entered the house which beeped constantly. I heard the tenant in the room opposite the box moved out because of this noise – but Empire couldn't care less and never fixed it.
- INTERRUPTED IN MY ROOM BY STRANGERS (TWICE)
When I was in bed the door unlocked to someone from the agency & a viewer, apparently they 'thought it was empty'. Another lie, (they come very easily to Empire) more like 'hoped' it was empty! They unbelievably did this twice, I wasn't given any notice of these viewings (a legal requirement) and I received no apology. Paul Tanner couldn't care less about anyone's privacy and breaks the law with impunity. The only time I ever saw staff at the house was when they were showing people around (and illegally entering current tenant's rooms) or hurriedly clearing out the room of someone who'd done a runner.
In the interests of balance the rent was low and the landlord also replaced the mattress at my request.
Empire's attitude shows ambivalence and a lack of respect towards tenants. After escalating complaints to the owner Paul Tanner he actually said to me 'I don't usually allow tenants to email me directly'. Lol funny because I just did… I don't know how people like this dress themselves in the morning let alone run a business. He was disingenuous and dishonest on the phone and as expected I never heard from him again – until I left a review that is. Unfortunately for him I'd moved out and on by that point. If you don't like bad reviews Paul, I suggest running your business with more integrity and care for others and you might get fewer of them.
As with most agencies Empire aren't to be trusted. It was a painful waste of my time to have to continually deal with arrogant, unqualified, grasping morons and attempt to get them to fulfil their legal obligations so for your own sanity, AVOID!
Comment on agent fees
Fees weren't excessive: 130GBP holding deposit & received confirmation of payment by email. I refused to pay a reference fee (which they were going to take out of my deposit!) - luckily this would be illegal now anyway.
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Opening Hours
Address
Empire Property Management Ltd
Suite 2 Chamberlain Building
36 Frederick St
Birmingham
West Midlands
B1 HN
0121 514 8850
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
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- Block Management
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Apr 07,2024
Apr 07,2024
0
people found
this helpful
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*AVOID* Empire, lettings & property company failed this apartment with shocking housekeeping/lack of it. When attempting to use neatly rolled towels placed on the bed, it was evident someone had utilised a towel as toilet paper!! I found it difficult to believe the cleaner would ...
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Mar 09,2022
Mar 09,2022
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I was confirmed for a viewing to purchase a property by Paul Tanner. When we went to the property at the set time, there was nobody there. We spoke with the customer service and Paul called back. Instead of apologising for not showing up he ...
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Feb 11,2021
Feb 11,2021
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Terrible experience. Freezing house, mould everywhere. Don’t rent with these, ever! Letting agent staff are rude and don’t care, wasn’t even given landlords contacts for weekend issues....
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Aug 23,2020
Aug 23,2020
0
people found
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Management by Empire LPM comes with a consistent level of attention to detail, transparency and reliability. The team are always friendly and helpful. Thank you for doing such a great job!...
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“Empire went above and beyond to find a tenant within a few days of our property being on the market!...”
Aug 22,2020
Aug 22,2020
0
people found
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Empire went above and beyond to find a tenant within a few days of our property being on the market and negotiated a good deal which works for us and the tenant....
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Aug 21,2020
Aug 21,2020
0
people found
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I would definitely recommend any landlord to make use of the services that Empire property management provides. They are doing an amazing job in managing our property....
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May 13,2019
May 13,2019
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I had the unfortunate experience of living in a property "managed" by Empire. During that time they were slow to respond to repair requests, tried to increase rent without following statutory processes and failed to provide consistent heating and hot water in the property. They ...
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Apr 24,2019
Apr 24,2019
2
people found
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this helpful
I'm unable to recommend Empire as my experience was poor and caused me a lot of stress. The issues I experienced were as follows:
- CLEANING
On moving in to my room, I found a toenail on the floor. Lovely start. The advertised house 'cleaner' ...
read full review
read full review
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Mar 26,2020
Mar 26,2020
19
people found
this helpful
this helpful
If your a tenant do not get involved with these false faced- two sides of a Clown- part Human part 'stone cold' Evil Manic Machines! Clearly lacking in human emotions such as respect, compassion, consideration. It will 'not' be a peaceful stay atall! With in ...
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May 06, 2020
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(1)
Agreed. Absolutely horrific company. I have 4 separate videos recorded from a security device in my room of Paul tanner (owner) freely going into my room... ILLEGALLY ...
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