100% sales valuation accuracy
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99% lettings fee satisfaction
Feb 02,2021
Feb 02,2021
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I have been renting with Winkworth since 19-Dec-2020. Their strategy to dodge work is to ignore their tenants, lie and intimidate them. Here are an unfortunately selective list of examples:
1. Straight out lies: I requested 2 sets of keys, the agent at the viewing said they would look into it. After my offer was accepted, they then said it was impossible. I tried asking again at the office when I picked up the keys and there again it was impossible. Turns out there was an issue with the set they gave me and there all of a sudden, their one helpful employee, comes by the flat with 2 extra sets of keys and leaves me with 2
2. Intimidation: there is a terrible smell in the kitchen, likely coming from a leak behind the appliances and backwater. I could not smell it during my viewing because I was wearing a mask (normal) and because I was not allowed to touch anything (could not open cupboards/ test lightening/ windows) and the viewing agent did not mention it. I first reported this on 22-Dec. On Jan-4 they send me the inventory. They also send me a note saying there is no such smell (thanks for pretending i am crazy!) as per inventory. I check that inventory report that does report a strong smell in the fridge. When I point it out on the phone to the property manager, he says he has read the inventory (yes, I know I am crazy). So I have to kindly insist and check the version he is reading and point out the page and the precise paragraph. Then to tell me that he could not find it earlier because I said behind appliances most likely washing machine and it was reported in the fridge line: bad faith at its best. On 26-Jan, they are finally sending me contractors (to finish a paint job that was supposed to be done before I moved in on 19-Dec...). I realize they don't think they are supposed to do anything in the kitchen, and I have to email the property manager again. Finally they look into it and figure out one of the pipes was poorly fixed. In all conversations, they pretend things don't happen, refer to the inventory or tenancy agreement even though these don't support their points/ are contradictory to them just to make you feel like the law is on their side while your are just asking them to provide the service they are getting paid for. It feels pretty off as a customer
3. Ignoring tenants: I had an issue with the living room light bulbs: while none of them were blown they produced very insufficient light (I was getting more in my living room from the gangway light outside than from the room light itself and could not work from home in the middle of the pandemic). They kept saying it was energy saving bulbs. At the beginning they pretended this was just time to warm up needed. I have spent entire evenings in the dark and it does not get better after 5 hours. I raised this a dozen times to them by email and a couple times on the phone. They then quoted the tenancy agreement that says tenant is responsible for fixing faulty light bulb (which does mean blown ones from usage not originally dysfunctional ones but they don't listen to that and keep pretending). The only way I got an answer from them is when I mentioned I would reduce my rent from the amount of the new light bulb I purchased and changed myself (£35) + damages (£200 for 6 weeks in the dark and impossibility to work from home during lockdown). Then they just said I was not allowed to do that. Both the property manager and their boss without providing any reasonable solution (not even offering to reimburse just the bulbs, the bill of which I had shared with them).
They are clearly unreliable. My experience is with their Battersea and Kennington offices, maybe other teams are better elsewhere. But honestly, I would really not suggest anyone to take their chances with them unless you are willing to do the work in your flat with your own efforts and money
1. Straight out lies: I requested 2 sets of keys, the agent at the viewing said they would look into it. After my offer was accepted, they then said it was impossible. I tried asking again at the office when I picked up the keys and there again it was impossible. Turns out there was an issue with the set they gave me and there all of a sudden, their one helpful employee, comes by the flat with 2 extra sets of keys and leaves me with 2
2. Intimidation: there is a terrible smell in the kitchen, likely coming from a leak behind the appliances and backwater. I could not smell it during my viewing because I was wearing a mask (normal) and because I was not allowed to touch anything (could not open cupboards/ test lightening/ windows) and the viewing agent did not mention it. I first reported this on 22-Dec. On Jan-4 they send me the inventory. They also send me a note saying there is no such smell (thanks for pretending i am crazy!) as per inventory. I check that inventory report that does report a strong smell in the fridge. When I point it out on the phone to the property manager, he says he has read the inventory (yes, I know I am crazy). So I have to kindly insist and check the version he is reading and point out the page and the precise paragraph. Then to tell me that he could not find it earlier because I said behind appliances most likely washing machine and it was reported in the fridge line: bad faith at its best. On 26-Jan, they are finally sending me contractors (to finish a paint job that was supposed to be done before I moved in on 19-Dec...). I realize they don't think they are supposed to do anything in the kitchen, and I have to email the property manager again. Finally they look into it and figure out one of the pipes was poorly fixed. In all conversations, they pretend things don't happen, refer to the inventory or tenancy agreement even though these don't support their points/ are contradictory to them just to make you feel like the law is on their side while your are just asking them to provide the service they are getting paid for. It feels pretty off as a customer
3. Ignoring tenants: I had an issue with the living room light bulbs: while none of them were blown they produced very insufficient light (I was getting more in my living room from the gangway light outside than from the room light itself and could not work from home in the middle of the pandemic). They kept saying it was energy saving bulbs. At the beginning they pretended this was just time to warm up needed. I have spent entire evenings in the dark and it does not get better after 5 hours. I raised this a dozen times to them by email and a couple times on the phone. They then quoted the tenancy agreement that says tenant is responsible for fixing faulty light bulb (which does mean blown ones from usage not originally dysfunctional ones but they don't listen to that and keep pretending). The only way I got an answer from them is when I mentioned I would reduce my rent from the amount of the new light bulb I purchased and changed myself (£35) + damages (£200 for 6 weeks in the dark and impossibility to work from home during lockdown). Then they just said I was not allowed to do that. Both the property manager and their boss without providing any reasonable solution (not even offering to reimburse just the bulbs, the bill of which I had shared with them).
They are clearly unreliable. My experience is with their Battersea and Kennington offices, maybe other teams are better elsewhere. But honestly, I would really not suggest anyone to take their chances with them unless you are willing to do the work in your flat with your own efforts and money
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Opening Hours
Address
Winkworth
207-217 Lavender Hill
Battersea,London
Greater London
SW11 5SD
020 7228 9265
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 100% | 100% | £640,000 | £640,000 |
| Lettings | 100% | 99% | £270 | £3,250 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Areas covered
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Feb 02,2021
Feb 02,2021
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I have been renting with Winkworth since 19-Dec-2020. Their strategy to dodge work is to ignore their tenants, lie and intimidate them. Here are an unfortunately selective list of examples:
1. Straight out lies: I requested 2 sets of keys, the agent at the viewing said they ...
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Apr 30,2018
Apr 30,2018
5
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Bad experience and very unprofessional â impossible to get my money back after Winkworth made a mistake in calculation.
After three months, I still have to receive back the full reimbursement of the 6-months of rent paid in advance, after I was asked to vacate the ...
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Jul 09,2015
Jul 09,2015
0
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I've been a tenant at this address for almost 6 years. Kate has been the longest serving and most helpful person managing the property in that time. Kate has responded to any issues promptly and effectively, generally by email, and negotiated acceptable resolutions to every issue ...
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Jun 21,2015
Jun 21,2015
0
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Kate has been a fantastic managing agent. We have just come to the end of a complete refurb of the property and she has taken care of everything for me. This could have been a really stressful project and she has made it so easy. ...
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Jun 18,2015
Jun 18,2015
0
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Kate managed 12 properties for us and in my 30 years in the business I have never met a better property manager. Prompt response to all emails and phone calls. She is the best!...
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Sep 24,2014
Sep 24,2014
0
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Always helping me,gives good advise looks after me, my tenant,and my flat, nothing to much trouble. Thank-you...
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Mar 12,2014
Mar 12,2014
0
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This is the first time we have used an agent, never had before as we thought they would be too expensive..
We are very happy that we use Winkworth as our agent now, I was introduced to Kate Noble who literally took over, she vetted ...
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Feb 25,2014
Feb 25,2014
0
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We purchased our property through Winkworth's in Battersea. We were extremely happy with the service the sales negotiator, James Goodall provided. He was professional, diligent and hard working, and helped make the buying process as smooth as possible.
We were however extremely dissatisfied with Winkworth's ...
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Feb 21,2014
Feb 21,2014
0
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Since taking over the management of my central London property, Kate has proved to be efficient
and reliable. She always responds and she does what she says she is going to do - I don't have to chase her up which is reassuring as a ...
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Feb 20,2014
Feb 20,2014
0
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I have been impressed with Winkworth's professional service. Kate Noble in particular has been excellent, chasing the council to resolve a concerning situation and keeping both our tenants and my wife and I informed. She has also been happy to help us with aspects that ...
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Feb 20,2014
Feb 20,2014
0
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We appointed Winkworth to oversea the sale of our flat in Battersea. They were a tremendous help throughout the process and consistently professional and reliable. The team especially Lucy went the extra mile to drive everything forward and to keep the process moving with all ...
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Feb 17,2014
Feb 17,2014
0
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I have been delighted with the services of Winkworths for close to 15 years, always quick to assist, great people....
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Feb 12,2014
Feb 12,2014
0
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I've been a tenant at this address for 3 years and in the time that Kate has managed this properts she has been responsive to any issues raised both by email and phone. Timelines to resolution have always been given and regular updates also provided. Couldnt ...
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Feb 07,2014
Feb 07,2014
0
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Kate has been extremely helpful in managing our property while my wife and I are overseas. She has been tenacious and through in her dealings with the Council over a problem we've had and has been happy to go the extra mile to help in ...
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Jan 27,2014
Jan 27,2014
0
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Kate is absolutely first class. Since she took over the management of all my properties I can relax and rest assured they are managed professionally. She returns calls, never forgets anything, passes over info quickly and accurately. She is always courteous and polite in her ...
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Jan 24,2014
Jan 24,2014
0
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We have been very well looked after by Winkworth and in particular Lucy Doggrell. Her attention to detail and constant updating has been much appreciated particularly as there have been some very frustrating periods throughout the process. We also had to pull out of a ...
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Jan 14,2014
Jan 14,2014
0
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We've been a tenant with Winkworth since Aug 2012, I've personally found that Winkworth are amazing at the service they provide, especially Kate, one of the nicest people you will meet and she goes out of her way and beyond to help. We've had a few ...
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Jan 15, 2014
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Thank you for taking the time to write this review. It is always very good to hear about the good things my team are doing.
Regards
Nick ...
Jan 09,2014
Jan 09,2014
0
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We wanted to sell our house before Christmas. It went on the market on 9 November, so it was a push. Winkworth achieved this for us, though, and we completed on 20 December, for an amount that we were happy with. Simon, the manager, gave us excellent ...
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Nov 09,2013
Nov 09,2013
4
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Flat I have rented was advertised as fully furnished but all of the furnishings were broken when I moved in so had get maintenance guys round to dispose of... Got the sofa replaced but no other furnishings. Other flats in the same block advertised by ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
using the 10 days of empty flat between the old tenant moving and me moving in to resolve issues before I moved in!Attached Filesnbsp;
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Jan 14,2014
Jan 14,2014
0
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I have had Winkworth let and manage my only buy-to-let flat since I bought it ten years ago. They have always found me good, reliable tenants (touch wood!) and have only had 7 tenancies in ten years because the tenants are happy to stay there. Kate ...
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Jan 15, 2014
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Thank you for your kind comments
I have asked my Head of Property Management to review the costs. We always ensure we keep the costs as low as possible and encourage my staff to treat every property/cost as their own.
I am available if you would like to speak to me directly about your comments -
Nick Goble
Managing Director ...
“Since assuming property management responsibility for the Central London dwelling ......”
Jan 14,2014
Jan 14,2014
1
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Since assuming property management responsibility for the Central London dwelling which I currently let to tenants, Kate Noble of Winkworth Property Management has provided a consistently exemplary level of service far exceeding the service I have come to expect from certain other lettings management companies ...
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Jan 15, 2014
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Thank you for taking the time to write this review.
Regards
Nick Goble MD ...
Nov 14,2014
Nov 14,2014
1
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From start to finish, James has been outstanding in his professionalism. He has provided us with no nonsense context for how the market was/is doing. This was extremely helpful for us as we are based in New York. Though we keep careful tabs on ...
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Jan 09,2014
Jan 09,2014
0
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I recently sold a property with Winkworths in Battersea. With a large number of agents interested in selling my flat, they provided the ideal level of confidence without unrealistic expectations. Their coverage and knowledge of the area were great advantages in marketing the property and ...
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Jan 15,2014
Jan 15,2014
1
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Winkworth secured a great price on our house for us and did a fantastic job of protecting our interests at all time. The sale was incredibly rocky for a whole bunch of reasons and they kept the whole thing on the road and ensured we ...
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