100% sales valuation accuracy
100% sales fee satisfaction
69% lettings valuation accuracy
47% lettings fee satisfaction
Dec 13,2013
Dec 13,2013
0
people found
this helpful
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I've been renting for over 10 years so have come across some great and some crap letting agents in my time. I'd describe Martin + Co as "semi-crap".
Pros:
* The guy who showed me round the flat was great
* Relatively speedy and efficient when it came to paperwork
* The property was scrupulously clean when I moved in
* The maintenance man, Darren, was amazing
* They returned my deposit in full, very promptly
Cons:
* Random charges for everything. You even have to prove you've got insurance for the building's fixtures and fittings, which, in my experience, is normally covered by the landlord.
* When I moved in, various bits of the flat were broken, including the dishwasher and the bathroom extractor, and there was a cracked window. It took 6 weeks to replace the dishwasher and the fan and window were never fixed. No mention of these problems in the inventory.
* They refused to give me an extra set of keys. When I explained that I'd like to leave a set with a trusted friend in case of an emergency (I live alone), they told me I'd have to contact the agency. Except when they were shut, in which case I'd have to wait until they were open. Oookay then.
* One Saturday morning the hot tap in the bathroom came off in my hand, gushing boiling water all over me and the bathroom. I couldn't fix it, so had to turn off the water supply. When I called the emergency maintenance line Martin + Co informed me that not having running water in the property "didn't constitute an emergency", so it would have to wait until Monday morning. That was a fun weekend.
* They seemed completely incapable of giving advance notice of any flat viewings, preferring to just turn up at random times. It took a couple of angry emails and phone-calls to get them to understand that notice was not only legally required, but also essential for me as I was working nights at the time and so was usually in bed when they called round.
However, the absolute zinger was when I got a let saying the property was being repossessed. It turned out the landlord was IN PRISON for fraud and all his assets had been seized to repay his debts. Martin & Co knew this from the very beginning and didn't think to tell me. I had several bizarre conversations with a previously polite staff member who became really aggressive when I questioned why I hadn't been told, arguing that it ¢â‚¬Å“made no difference¢â‚¬Â to my tenancy. Well from past experience I know it does make a difference because if you have severe problems with an agent you can contact your landlord as a last resort. And, y'know, I wouldn't normally choose to live in a criminal's property out of choice. Luckily for me I managed to move out before having to make the call to the Strangeways switchboard. In the end they gave me back the full deposit with no quibbles - probably cos they knew I'd kick off and stage a sit-in in their office if they didn't.
So all-in-all, an OK, but very bizarre experience. If you rent with them make sure you read the small print very carefully, get the agent who shows you round the property to put any promises s/he makes you in writing, and check the inventory they give you to the very letter before signing it.
Pros:
* The guy who showed me round the flat was great
* Relatively speedy and efficient when it came to paperwork
* The property was scrupulously clean when I moved in
* The maintenance man, Darren, was amazing
* They returned my deposit in full, very promptly
Cons:
* Random charges for everything. You even have to prove you've got insurance for the building's fixtures and fittings, which, in my experience, is normally covered by the landlord.
* When I moved in, various bits of the flat were broken, including the dishwasher and the bathroom extractor, and there was a cracked window. It took 6 weeks to replace the dishwasher and the fan and window were never fixed. No mention of these problems in the inventory.
* They refused to give me an extra set of keys. When I explained that I'd like to leave a set with a trusted friend in case of an emergency (I live alone), they told me I'd have to contact the agency. Except when they were shut, in which case I'd have to wait until they were open. Oookay then.
* One Saturday morning the hot tap in the bathroom came off in my hand, gushing boiling water all over me and the bathroom. I couldn't fix it, so had to turn off the water supply. When I called the emergency maintenance line Martin + Co informed me that not having running water in the property "didn't constitute an emergency", so it would have to wait until Monday morning. That was a fun weekend.
* They seemed completely incapable of giving advance notice of any flat viewings, preferring to just turn up at random times. It took a couple of angry emails and phone-calls to get them to understand that notice was not only legally required, but also essential for me as I was working nights at the time and so was usually in bed when they called round.
However, the absolute zinger was when I got a let saying the property was being repossessed. It turned out the landlord was IN PRISON for fraud and all his assets had been seized to repay his debts. Martin & Co knew this from the very beginning and didn't think to tell me. I had several bizarre conversations with a previously polite staff member who became really aggressive when I questioned why I hadn't been told, arguing that it ¢â‚¬Å“made no difference¢â‚¬Â to my tenancy. Well from past experience I know it does make a difference because if you have severe problems with an agent you can contact your landlord as a last resort. And, y'know, I wouldn't normally choose to live in a criminal's property out of choice. Luckily for me I managed to move out before having to make the call to the Strangeways switchboard. In the end they gave me back the full deposit with no quibbles - probably cos they knew I'd kick off and stage a sit-in in their office if they didn't.
So all-in-all, an OK, but very bizarre experience. If you rent with them make sure you read the small print very carefully, get the agent who shows you round the property to put any promises s/he makes you in writing, and check the inventory they give you to the very letter before signing it.
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Latest Reviews
5th Jan 2024
reviewed by 'Luke'
10th Feb 2021
reviewed by 'Sab'
9th Feb 2021
reviewed by 'Adam'
5th Jan 2021
reviewed by 'James'
26th Nov 2020
reviewed by 'Shakila'
Opening Hours
Address
Martin & Co
33 Liverpool Road
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M3 4NQ
0161 8392212
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 100% | 100% | £149,950 | £180,000 |
| Lettings | 69% | 47% | £600 | £1,250 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 22 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
Areas covered
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Jan 05,2024
Jan 05,2024
0
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Genuinely terrible company, awful communication, wouldn’t fix anything that we asked them to, we got in the flat and it stank of mould, we brought this up instantly and they did nothing to rectify it and then suggested we just moved out if we ...
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Jul 14,2021
Jul 14,2021
1
people found
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If I could leave no stars I would. Absolutely shocking customer. Extremely rude and incompetent staff who ignore most emails and deter any phone calls with “we’re WFH” and throw out jargon to try and confuse you when you ask a valid question that ...
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Feb 10,2021
Feb 10,2021
0
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Absolutely terrible in communication. I have been chasing up for many days for a viewing. Then waited for 3 days to hear back.
Had another property that I’d like to view, I had to chase up many times for them to send me the video. ...
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Feb 09,2021
Feb 09,2021
0
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Rude and very unprofessional. It took me 3 attempts at contacting the agent in Manchester to arrange a viewing and this was then confirmed by a surly individual who would not give me their name. They then did not show up, leaving me out in the ...
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Jan 05,2021
Jan 05,2021
0
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If I could leave minus stars I would. Worst experience with a letting agent. We were going to go to a viewing in Central Manchester but the property had already been taken. They didn't have the decency to let us know until we were waiting ...
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Nov 26,2020
Nov 26,2020
0
people found
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I had very terrible moments with this agency and I just wanted one flat and all day told me send a video for me and the day after when I called them told me the flat is gone yesterday and I told them exactly the ...
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Aug 13,2020
Aug 13,2020
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Just had a terrible experience with the Manchester branch. Fell in love with a flat and got a video viewing (which arrived in my inbox 2 days late) - the morning after I rang back straight away to say I wanted to sign contracts etc. The ...
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May 04,2020
May 04,2020
2
people found
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this helpful
The worst customer service I've ever had.
I emailed them concerning a property, no one responded to me for days when I decided to email the agency again. This time I got a single line of response which was: "Can you pay 6 month in advance?". ...
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Aug 06, 2020
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Had the same issue with them!! They don’t care about their customers whatsoever! ...
Mar 03,2020
Mar 03,2020
2
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Martin & Co Manchester Central is the worst property agent ever!!!! They "robbed "; me of the 5 months management fees and it's them who terminated the contract claiming that they lost business!!!! They claimed that it's because of me. I constantly complained because of their incompetence. Worst, ...
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Oct 15,2019
Oct 15,2019
2
people found
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this helpful
This was the worst service I'd ever received.
I made a booking for a viewing at 3pm 11/10/2019. I rang them at half 1 when I finished work to confirm it (I've had a lot of people cancel viewings so I wanted to be sure I wasnt ...
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Jun 13,2019
Jun 13,2019
8
people found
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this helpful
Our story of Martin and Co incompetence started a month before we'd even moved in. Whilst getting shown around on the initial viewing it was apparent the balcony door handle was only one good tug away from coming off and as such we raised this ...
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Comment on agent fees
Extortionate. Every aspect of dealing with them felt like they needed a cut.
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Apr 30,2019
Apr 30,2019
5
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I have booked viewings for 2 times and the agent late for around 10 minutes everytime. When I ask for more details on the property when viewing, the agent said he is in a hurry and ask me to phone to the office for details. Application fees ...
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Comment on agent fees
Ridiculously High and the agent did nothing.
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May 29, 2019
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The Most Fradulent company I have ever seen.
The agency is not efficient in getting good rent for your flats. They don't even market your flats for tenants. My flat was vacant for three months last year because of their inefficiency. And also they have reduced our rent during the last year when all other flats in the same area are increasing. The most frustrating thing is that they don't even bother to respond yo the emails or calls of owners. The director Alex is a big cheat. He took our rent ...
Oct 30,2018
Oct 30,2018
6
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Rudest people I have ever dealt with. We rented an apartment through them for a year and I can honestly say it has be the most appalling customer service I have ever received. David Land only emails when we are supposed to renew our contract ...
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Comment on agent fees
Normal fees
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Oct 18,2018
Oct 18,2018
6
people found
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DO NOT USE THIS LETTING AGENT.
When a member of Martin&Co (Ryan) initially showed me around the property he said that he was in a rush and was unable to answer the majority of our questions about the property (misquoted us on the rent, ...
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Comment on agent fees
RIDICULOUS. Fees for everything including a move out fee!
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Sep 26,2018
Sep 26,2018
4
people found
this helpful
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The treatment I received from this letting agents was nothing short of disgusting. Firstly, £2000 of my money for deposit and first months rent was misplaced. I was told that somebody would be available to discuss this on the Saturday and when I arrived the door ...
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Comment on agent fees
BAD. ABSOLUTELY AWFUL.
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Sep 12,2018
Sep 12,2018
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
I had rented an appartment this company in 2016 me and my friends had decided to make a move to Manchester and were coming up from Leicester to do so.
In all honesty the whole thing was a complete farce. There is no point booking a ...
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Comment on agent fees
The fees are terrible see above
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Jul 13,2018
Jul 13,2018
3
people found
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this helpful
Simply the worst estate / letting agents I ever had the displeasure of dealing with. The lethal combination of extortionate fees, disrespectful staff and horrendous service.
Having rented property with different agencies over the years, Martin & Co, Central Manchester are easily the worst I've come across ...
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Comment on agent fees
Bad.
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Jul 12,2018
Jul 12,2018
1
people found
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this helpful
For the the last year we have been renting with Martin & Co . The overall experience in dealing with Martin & Co was a very fresh and very positive one. All of the members of staff that I have spoken to are very friendly and professional.
Two ...
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Comment on agent fees
The fees we paid we’re fairly priced, they were cheaper than previous estate agents we had dealt with and making it one of the reasons we chose to rent with Martin&Co.
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Feb 16,2018
Feb 16,2018
6
people found
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this helpful
Also would give zero if possible. Terrible all round. The fees are shocking. Hound you for money and references but the minute you need anything from them they don't want to know. Poorly managed and highly unprofessional. Made my 1st renting experience nothing but stressful ...
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Comment on agent fees
Extreamly poor
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Feb 08,2018
Feb 08,2018
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Worst experience and communication ever. I would run away from them. Poor social skills. Unprofessional. It takes ages for a reply. Non helpful....
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Comment on agent fees
The worst ever
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Jan 31,2018
Jan 31,2018
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Horrendous experience renting with Martin & Co - if I could rate 0 I would.
They spent weeks with all of our referencing information only to the rush it all through at the very last minute, pestering employers to reply asap even though they had had weeks ...
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Comment on agent fees
Fees are fairly high, but a check out fee is ridiculous.
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Nov 15,2017
Nov 15,2017
3
people found
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I don't have enough space to describe how bad this company is. They double charge, they don't pay landlords rents on time, they are rude, unprofessional and proud. The strong and wrong types. All I can say is avoid, boycott and avoid as you will ...
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Comment on agent fees
Bad. They don’t do any work
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Nov 09,2017
Nov 09,2017
2
people found
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this helpful
Very good experience so far, particularly James has helped tremendously from viewing to picking up the keys and quickly sorted a slight problem we had with timing which could have left us homeless, office overall has been warm and friendly....
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Comment on agent fees
Not too bad
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Oct 26,2017
Oct 26,2017
3
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Very expensive (background checks, tenancy renewal) if not the most expensive agent in the area. Terrible "service". Check out was a nightmare. We asked weeks in advance for an appointment for the check out inspection. After various emails and phone calls we were told that ...
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Comment on agent fees
Very expensive
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Jun 26,2017
Jun 26,2017
5
people found
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(1) We had a boiler which didn't work properly for 12 months. They had to 'consult' the landlord every time yet every time failed to get back to us.
(2) They never once did the 'flat checks' which they were meant to.
(3) They allowed us to sit waiting ...
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Comment on agent fees
Shockingly High. What are the fees for? We picked up and dropped off our keys and both times they were eating doughnuts and McDonalds!
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May 29,2017
May 29,2017
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Horrible service. I call them to arrange a viewing but the agent on the phone refused to show me the house.
I went to the branch and the same agent was too lazy to show me properties. At the end he mentioned two and ask ...
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Apr 22,2017
Apr 22,2017
4
people found
this helpful
this helpful
Worst company I've ever dealt with. My flat got broken into and they didnt answer for days. The lock didnt get fixed for ages so had to sleep with my front door noticeable open. Never heard anything from them regarding this either.
When I first ...
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Comment on agent fees
So expensive for doing fuck all!!!!!
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Feb 23,2017
Feb 23,2017
1
people found
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this helpful
I would really like to highly recommend Joe Savage at Martin and Co. I rented an apartment in January and Joe was extremely professional, courteous and kept me updated regularly throughout the process. Joe provided a fantastic service, Thank you, Tanya...
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Feb 21,2017
Feb 21,2017
2
people found
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this helpful
Honestly some of the most useless staff i've ever experienced. Over 80% of the staff are unacceptably rude and unhelpful- lucky if its one of the women who deal with your issues as they are much more helpful. Waiting for objects in the flat to be ...
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Comment on agent fees
No idea how they can charge such high fees for literally no effort on their part. Awful.
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Nov 23,2016
Nov 23,2016
1
people found
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Jessica has been helpful. She answers emails fast and clear. Made my moving easy. Still follows up problems that's happening in the apartment....
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Comment on agent fees
Maybe the fees were a bit more than other agents. But I really like the follow up emails and communication to deal with inventory problems.
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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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