!!AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!

Myself and five other housemates spent little over 6 months in our property and dealing with Westwick was enough to make it feel like a lifetime.

They are quick to take your money on the first instance, but we are still to receive our deposit (which had no discrepancies) for nearly two months. One of my ex-housemates is still to be reimbursed for a rental over payment, I had to fight with my bank because of a mistake in Westwick's processing of two months rent, my friend had to do the same and they also failed to reply to SIX formal complaints because of agreements they breached over the condition of the property.

That is a very short summary.

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• Experience: Would you recommend ? : No

THE WORST LETTING AGENCY. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
Our house was burgled and it took them 6 months to replace our back door.
Mould everywhere was ignored despite regular phone calls.
they upped the rent half way through our contract.
Our fridge and oven broke, it took three months for either to be replaced.

They still haven't given us our security deposit back after four months and have moved and changed their telephone number without informing us.

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• Experience: Would you recommend ? : No

It's the time of year when students will be looking at available properties for their next academic year and to any student thinking of renting a property through Westwick Properties I would simply advise them to think very carefully before doing so.

We have now moved on from an appauling 12 months at the hands of these agents and to be honest they were the worst business by far that my husband and I have ever had to deal with and we are both professional people with over 30 years experiences each of companies and businesses.

The list of our grievances with them quite simply are endless but very genuine and neither of us would complain unduly.

We have another child studying in another part of the country and having just secured her property for the second year, the agents there have given us back faith in the rental profession. The attitude is completely different and they could not be more helpful and speaking to the current students in the property when a problem has arisen it is dealt with promptly and in a courteous manner.

To any student or parent thinking of acting as a guarantor for a student contemplating a property advertised with Westwick Properties, I would simply say if another property is available and suitable choose very wisely.

We have advised all our family and friends and in fact as many people as possible not to consider using Westwick Properties giving them very valid reasons not to.

We WOULD NOT RECOMMEND them to anyone that asks.

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• Experience: Would you recommend ? : No

[[EDIT ORIGINAL START]]
OK, so I'm a landlord (of just one property - effectively my pension and where I used to live) not a tenant; and feel shocked by the reviews I've read so far. Can I restore some balance? They've been our managing agent for nine years. We went to them on recommendation from another houseowner. In that time they've changed the trading name ONCE.
We have never had a complaint from a tenant except when a deduction from the deposit was disputed. Then the agent asked us our view, we thought the tenant had a case and the matter was settled accordingly.
Whenever a tenant has raised an issue (a leaking tap, a boiler malfunction, a worn out mattress) the agent has recommended prompt repair/replacement to us - or just got on and had it fixed if it's a minor cost.
Staff do vary. Our current contact at Westwick could not be more efficient, helpful and friendly. Some in the past have been less efficient but never as chaotic as some reviewers have reported.
Finally, let me comment on our experience as parents of tenants - our sons at Birmingham and Leeds Universities. The agents (Talk about rogues!) did the absolute minimum, ignored all requests for attention to basic issues, just took the rent money and hid.
So I'm amazed Westwick aren't higher up the league table.
[[EDIT ORIGINAL END]]

OK, so I'm a landlord (of just one property - effectively my pension and where I used to live) not a tenant; and feel shocked by the reviews I've read so far. Can I restore some balance? They've been our managing agent for nine years. We went to them on recommendation from another houseowner. In that time they've changed the trading name ONCE.
We have never had a complaint from a tenant except when a deduction from the deposit was disputed. Then the agent asked us our view, we thought the tenant had a case and the matter was settled accordingly.
Whenever a tenant has raised an issue (a leaking tap, a boiler malfunction, a worn out mattress) the agent has recommended prompt repair/replacement to us - or just got on and had it fixed if it's a minor cost.
Staff do vary. Our current contact at Westwick could not be more efficient, helpful and friendly. Some in the past have been less efficient but never as chaotic as some reviewers have reported.
Finally, let me comment on our experience as parents of tenants - our sons at Birmingham and Leeds Universities. The agents (Talk about rogues!) did the absolute minimum, ignored all requests for attention to basic issues, just took the rent money and hid.

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• Experience: Would you recommend ? : No

Reading these reviews has just filled me with dread.
I have recently left a property managed by Westwick Properties/Rents Direct. While living in the property the only problems we had were similar to what other people have said, not answering our calls, saying they'd call back and then never doing so, saying something was going to be fixed but then never sending any one over. When they did send the handy man over, Mark, he was lovely! I feel bad for him having to work for them. He is absolutely brilliant!
My problems with Westwick have started since moving out. I recently received my deposit cheque back with huge deductions for things that had not been previously discussed before sending out the cheques. I called to argue that many of the charges were unfair and was asked to send my complaints in writing via email to the girl I spoke to on the phone, who actually seemed very nice. I had an email back from a different person, Joanne, which was very snotty telling me why my deposit had been deducted but not mentioning the fact that I had said it was without previous discussion. I politely emailed back thanking her for her response and saying I was not satisfied with the information and asking for details of the tenancy deposit scheme where my deposit should have been held and asked for a response within 7 days. 9 days later, without response, I sent a copy of the email asking for the deposit scheme details and the managers details. Almost two weeks later I still haven't had a response. My Mum has now got involved and is writing to them to ask for my full deposit as it was unfairly deducted without discussion.
After reading what everyone has said I get the impression this is going to be a lengthy process.

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• Experience: Would you recommend ? : No