60% sales valuation accuracy
83% sales fee satisfaction
40% lettings valuation accuracy
62% lettings fee satisfaction
Mar 10,2023
Mar 10,2023
5
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AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE IF YOU WANT TO BE AN ETHICAL LANDLORD (or to be a happy tenant when you move out).
I had heard the lettings reputation of Fox & Sons had long before renting with them, but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt as I worked in a decent & fair property agent for many years.
- At move in I was warned by the previous tenant that she had been ripped off. So much so that she gave me a copy of her check out report, in the hopes I could use to prevent the same thing. An example of something she was charged for - the washing machine tray not closing properly.
- I had a number of maintenance issues throughout the tenancy & these were always well managed, apart from those I said not to worry about - a cracked window and a dodgy light switch. I was very happy with the management until I was leaving.
- The problem has come at check out - it's been over 40 days and still no deposit. Now I have heard they are disputing ridiculous amounts in a way I feel is unreasonable and unethical.
- Thankfully I took high res photographs at check out because I had friends who said they to dispute a lot at TDS, because of their lettings reputation & because of the previous tenant's experiences. The flat was cleaned to a professional standard and very minimal wear & tear. Obviously as someone worked in property I have a very good idea of landlord & tenancy law, and what is reasonable. I would warn all current tenants to get a copy of the previous tenant's report and take high res photos on check in & departure. (You can also check the EXIF data of the pics taken to check in, because the check out photos are to a different standard of the ones you will receive on check in. Something could look streakier or unclean simply because of the aperture & ISO. )
- F&S use an insurance deposit scheme rather than custodial scheme for deposits - this is a yellow flag as they hold the deposit and it is v difficult to get the deposit if the agent doesn't initiate the return or doesn't inform the landlord timely. In my case it's been over 6 weeks and the dispute process has not yet fully kicked off. Thankfully I can afford to dispute if I need to, but many tenants may not be able to & would be forced to accept the amount without dispute - because they needed the money.
- I left the flat in extremely good condition, professionally cleaned with no wear and tear. Because I know what unethical practices can be like sadly, I even use a hi-polymer eraser on any skirting boards or doors - that is how careful I would be and how you know this is not exaggeration.
- The agent has informed me they don't look at the previous check out report or check in which is ridiculous. I have evidence of check in photos & check out photos I took myself, cleaning receipts, even photos of cleaning underway! I am grateful I listened to the advice of previous tenants & protected myself.
Examples include
- Claiming that a hob ignition switch is missing when it is missing in my check in photos and on the previous tenant's photos.
- Claiming that damage or marks have occurred that are present on check in photos
- Claiming there was a blind missing (they looked for 3 blinds in a room with 2 windows!)
- A light switch that stopped working and was reported
- Claiming that cleaning hasn't been done on the inside of the washing machine because stained rubber from wear & tear. (Thankfully for the warnings I literally took a video of the cleaning of it! But who else in their right mind would do that and be able to dispute it?!)
If you can afford to lose your deposit when you leave then go for it. But if you're a landlord please work with a company that doesn't try to rip off people (willfully or through incompetence I'm not sure) & if you're a tenant save yourself the pain and go with somewhere that's fair & ethical. If this is how a tenant with a high standard & no damage is treated, I can't imagine what they'd do if you actually accidentally did some damage and how fair they would be about that.
I had heard the lettings reputation of Fox & Sons had long before renting with them, but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt as I worked in a decent & fair property agent for many years.
- At move in I was warned by the previous tenant that she had been ripped off. So much so that she gave me a copy of her check out report, in the hopes I could use to prevent the same thing. An example of something she was charged for - the washing machine tray not closing properly.
- I had a number of maintenance issues throughout the tenancy & these were always well managed, apart from those I said not to worry about - a cracked window and a dodgy light switch. I was very happy with the management until I was leaving.
- The problem has come at check out - it's been over 40 days and still no deposit. Now I have heard they are disputing ridiculous amounts in a way I feel is unreasonable and unethical.
- Thankfully I took high res photographs at check out because I had friends who said they to dispute a lot at TDS, because of their lettings reputation & because of the previous tenant's experiences. The flat was cleaned to a professional standard and very minimal wear & tear. Obviously as someone worked in property I have a very good idea of landlord & tenancy law, and what is reasonable. I would warn all current tenants to get a copy of the previous tenant's report and take high res photos on check in & departure. (You can also check the EXIF data of the pics taken to check in, because the check out photos are to a different standard of the ones you will receive on check in. Something could look streakier or unclean simply because of the aperture & ISO. )
- F&S use an insurance deposit scheme rather than custodial scheme for deposits - this is a yellow flag as they hold the deposit and it is v difficult to get the deposit if the agent doesn't initiate the return or doesn't inform the landlord timely. In my case it's been over 6 weeks and the dispute process has not yet fully kicked off. Thankfully I can afford to dispute if I need to, but many tenants may not be able to & would be forced to accept the amount without dispute - because they needed the money.
- I left the flat in extremely good condition, professionally cleaned with no wear and tear. Because I know what unethical practices can be like sadly, I even use a hi-polymer eraser on any skirting boards or doors - that is how careful I would be and how you know this is not exaggeration.
- The agent has informed me they don't look at the previous check out report or check in which is ridiculous. I have evidence of check in photos & check out photos I took myself, cleaning receipts, even photos of cleaning underway! I am grateful I listened to the advice of previous tenants & protected myself.
Examples include
- Claiming that a hob ignition switch is missing when it is missing in my check in photos and on the previous tenant's photos.
- Claiming that damage or marks have occurred that are present on check in photos
- Claiming there was a blind missing (they looked for 3 blinds in a room with 2 windows!)
- A light switch that stopped working and was reported
- Claiming that cleaning hasn't been done on the inside of the washing machine because stained rubber from wear & tear. (Thankfully for the warnings I literally took a video of the cleaning of it! But who else in their right mind would do that and be able to dispute it?!)
If you can afford to lose your deposit when you leave then go for it. But if you're a landlord please work with a company that doesn't try to rip off people (willfully or through incompetence I'm not sure) & if you're a tenant save yourself the pain and go with somewhere that's fair & ethical. If this is how a tenant with a high standard & no damage is treated, I can't imagine what they'd do if you actually accidentally did some damage and how fair they would be about that.
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Latest Reviews
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reviewed by 'Patrick'
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Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 60% | 83% | £260,000 | £260,000 |
| Lettings | 40% | 62% | £800 | £1,450 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Jun 23,2024
Jun 23,2024
0
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We are very grateful to Fox & Sons for facilitating our the move into our new flat. James Turner in particular was very helpful, giving us the information we needed and responding to our emails promptly. The move went very smoothly and we are happy to ...
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Sep 22,2023
Sep 22,2023
0
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We are so grateful to Fox & Sons for finding us a beautiful apartment at a great price. A special mention to Issy who made the whole process easy and stress free. Issy was kind, attentive and supportive throughout and made sure that the apartment was ...
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Mar 10,2023
Mar 10,2023
5
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this helpful
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE IF YOU WANT TO BE AN ETHICAL LANDLORD (or to be a happy tenant when you move out).
I had heard the lettings reputation of Fox & Sons had long before renting with them, but decided to give them the benefit of ...
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Aug 30,2022
Aug 30,2022
0
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Alex was extremely professional and very helpful throughout the tenancy process. The whole team were very accessible and always reply to my email and answer my queries....
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Aug 04,2022
Aug 04,2022
2
people found
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this helpful
Terrible company ! Take ya money quickly enough, never dealt with Maintainence, took us a year just to get landlords number to get something done, the flat we moved into was disgusting! Now I’m waiting for my deposit and are being passed pillar to post. ...
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Dec 20,2021
Dec 20,2021
0
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I had a great experience moving into my new flat in hove...thanks to very young, friendly and professional staff at this branch. I would highly recommend to others....
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Aug 09,2021
Aug 09,2021
1
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Fox and Sons entered my friends property on Landsdowne Place without permission, after being told that she would want me to meet them there and refusing entry otherwise. Fox and Sons are well aware that this is trespassing, which is a criminal act. Tenants have ...
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Mar 08,2021
Mar 08,2021
0
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Hi just wanted to say a big thank you on helping myself and my girlfriend on our search for a flat recently.Very efficient and professional job particularly from the lovely Alex Murdoch!
Keep up the good job guys!...
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Mar 04,2020
Mar 04,2020
1
people found
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Do not use Fox and Sons to manage your property. Their service is appalling and my property was ruined because of their negligence. The staff were always changing and I had about 5 different people "managjng" my property when clearly i was the only one who ...
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Aug 04,2019
Aug 04,2019
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Appalling service provided - we were awarded compensation by The Property Ombudsman due to the terrible work by Fox & Sons. Do not entrust your property sale to them. Absolutely avoid at all costs....
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Oct 08, 2019
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I'm currently awaiting an outcome from the property ombudsman following my appalling experience with Fox & Sons Brighton. Can you advise the approximate timescale involved? Thanks ...
Jul 27,2019
Jul 27,2019
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
The worst Agency I have tried throughout my three-year stay in Brighton! They advertised a property, handled the viewing and handled most of the paperwork but when the landlord blocked me to avoid returning the deposit they said that they don't manage the property and ...
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Jul 23,2019
Jul 23,2019
2
people found
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I have used this agency as a landlord for the last year not necessarily through choice but the property was inherited from my father. Despite a sitting tenant and therefore their only responsibility is collecting a monthly rental from the tenant, they are so totally ...
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Jun 14,2019
Jun 14,2019
2
people found
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Unessecary phone calls without having any product or service to offer. They need to find market information themselves and not bother customers in trying to obtain it....
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Mar 13,2019
Mar 13,2019
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
If you're reading this, PLEASE stop calling me. I have an offer accepted on another property and I don't appreciate your calls at the crack of dawn.
I know you have commission to make, but make it someone else....
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Comment on agent fees
In selling my place, exorbitant - which is why I went with another agent.
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Jan 23,2019
Jan 23,2019
1
people found
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this helpful
Our chain has been going for nearly four months and is on the verge of collapsing because of this office's incompetence and unprofessionalism.
They don't return any phone calls, they don't chase and there is no sense of urgency.
They are the worst estate agency ...
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Jul 24,2018
Jul 24,2018
8
people found
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the staff are the dreadful, they dont know what they are doing and lie the whole time, the worst estate agents I have ever dealt with - simply awful. PLEASE AVOID...
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Comment on agent fees
fees okay but service awful
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Apr 05,2018
Apr 05,2018
0
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I was absolutely thrilled with the service I received from Sarah during my rental of a property through a Fox and Sons - she was always polite and helpful. However, the biggest hurdle I find is when leaving a property - I have know agencies ...
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Comment on agent fees
Fees are the same as most places.
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Feb 22,2018
Feb 22,2018
5
people found
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Staff are not very smart and very untrustworthy - they don't seem to know what they are doing, there are much better options in Brighton for buying and selling...
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Feb 20,2018
Feb 20,2018
6
people found
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Was told we would receive our deposit back after 10workings days. After this did not happen I phoned them, they said they would look into it and call me back. They didn't call me back. I phoned again and further explained my situation. My deposit ...
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Comment on agent fees
Agency fees were ridiculous. Plus they lied to our landlords about who we were just to get us to move into the property
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Nov 15,2017
Nov 15,2017
4
people found
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this helpful
What an absolute disgrace, lacking in common sense, urgency, brains, morals, decency and customer service. Currently many thousands of pounds down due to outright lies.
Do yourself an emormous favour and avoid at all costs...
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Aug 25,2017
Aug 25,2017
3
people found
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Fairly aggressive telephone manner and not listening to what's being said. Putting words in my mouth and claiming I'd suggested or said something that I hadn't. Forcing a tenant to pay for time in a property before they'd even received the keys is outrageous, but ...
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Comment on agent fees
Extortionate
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Apr 10,2017
Apr 10,2017
5
people found
this helpful
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Took my money for reference checks and failed the reference checks for no reason so can't give me reason now for reference failure its just thieves sitting in there to take your money be careful...
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Apr 01,2017
Apr 01,2017
1
people found
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Christina has managed my property for over a year and I was delighted by her service. She was always prompt to take action, ensured all work at the property was good value for money and tried to always be fair and reasonable when there was ...
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Comment on agent fees
Reasonable fees
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Mar 03,2017
Mar 03,2017
10
people found
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I can't believe this lot are still in business.. laughable professionalism, most would be better off on a market stall than selling houses !! Along with all thinking they're in with a shout on being cast on the next series of towie, for some beknown reason, ...
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Comment on agent fees
Awful, charge for photos a lie to their customers on a very regular basis
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Feb 10,2017
Feb 10,2017
0
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Christina is the property coordinator for letting my flat in Brighton, although she is based in Cardiff. She does a phenomenal job of responding to my questions and helping address issues, providing exactly the level of service that I expect for the fees that I ...
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Comment on agent fees
I pay 8% for a full service. I'm happy with that. For someone based outside the UK, it's worth the money.
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Aug 18,2016
Aug 18,2016
3
people found
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this helpful
I went to this estate agents expecting people that let and sell houses to actually want to happily let and sell them- I was extremely disgusted with the service here and would not recommend.
As soon as I walked through the door, no one so ...
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Aug 09,2016
Aug 09,2016
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Very poor service overall. Found a buyer quickly but then did nothing to progress the sale until the buyer started to re-negotiate the price at exchange of contracts. At that point, the agent (commissioned by me to sell the property) seemed to be working for ...
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Jul 12,2016
Jul 12,2016
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Sequence has been a god send for my maintenance issues. Not everything gets sorted straight away but that's part and parcel with renting. Claire was a massive bell and a credit for the company.
In terms of fox and sons, initially they were great however ...
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Comment on agent fees
Competatove
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Jan 05,2016
Jan 05,2016
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
We chose to go with the top level, ie most expensive, management fee as we lived in London and we wanted the assurance of Fox and Sons managing all aspects of our property for us. First of all, they are not local - any time ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
We would never again chose top level fees because you did not earn it, you did not protect our property.Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
We would never again chose top level fees because you did not earn it, you did not protect our property.
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Feb 24,2015
Feb 24,2015
2
people found
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Not straight forward- discrepancy between what they say and what they so,
So slow property purchase almost did not proceed,
Talk much and do little,
Though were good at brokering a mortgage,...
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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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