Islington, London, N1
4.8/5, 333 reviews
98% recommended
91% sales valuation accuracy
95% sales fee satisfaction
95% lettings valuation accuracy
97% lettings fee satisfaction
Hotblack Desiato opened on Upper Street in 1979 and now have 3 offices in North London (Islington, Highbury, and Camden Town). We remain an independent, friendly and professional estate agent offering a refreshing approach to selling and letting residential property. Along with Sales and Lettings we also have New Homes and Property ... show more Hotblack Desiato opened on Upper Street in 1979 and now have 3 offices in North London (Islington, Highbury, and Camden Town). We remain an independent, friendly and professional estate agent offering a refreshing approach to selling and letting residential property. Along with Sales and Lettings we also have New Homes and Property Management divisions. Please contact us and we will do our best to help you with whatever property query you may have.
Hotblack Desiato - Click to Visit Our Website

Latest Reviews

View all Reviews 333
11th Feb 2022
reviewed by 'Maryann Eason'
“Stuart Shiers exemplifies professionalism. He never failed to be attentive to my questions and concerns regarding the sale of an ......”
17th Dec 2021
reviewed by 'Fergie'
“I live in the north of England and wanted to sell my flat in Islington with the minimum of travel ......”
20th Aug 2021
reviewed by 'Jack'
“Woeful. Never got back to me despite 4 emails and numerous calls. Why oh why would one let with them...”
23rd Apr 2021
reviewed by 'Chris'
“Having managed my flat in Islington reliably and efficiently for nearly 15 years, I had no hesitation in asking Hotblack Desiato ......”
13th Jul 2020
reviewed by 'Nicholas'
“We received excellent service from Hotblack, from both Camden office and subsequently Islington office. Phifi Tsannos at Camden office ably ......”
24th Apr 2020
reviewed by 'Nigel'
“We initially sought to sell our Islington flat in July 2018. We received excellent advice from Stuart Shiers of Hotblacks. Sadly ......”
Opening Hours
  • Monday: 09:00 - 18:00
  • Tuesday: 09:00 - 18:00
  • Wednesday: 09:00 - 18:00
  • Thursday: 09:00 - 18:00
  • Friday: 09:00 - 18:00
  • Saturday: 10:00 - 16:00
  • Sunday: Closed
Address

Hotblack Desiato
314 Upper Street
Islington,London
Greater London
N1 2XQ
02072260160

Performance statistics
Services Valuation Accuracy Fees Satisfaction Min Price of property reviewed Max Price of property reviewed
Sales 91% 95% £123,000 £9,995,000
Lettings 95% 97% £330 £5,300
Review statistics
From Landlords From Tenants From Vendors From Buyers Other
95 1 168 7 32 0 17 0 13 0
Areas covered
  • EC1V
  • N1
  • N16
  • N5
  • N8
  • NW1
  • NW5
  • N7
  • NW6
  • WC1X
  • NW8
  • EC1
  • E8
  • N16
  • N4
  • E1
Services offered
  • Sales
    •
  • Lettings
    •
  • Block Management
  • Surveys
  • Conveyancing
  • Mortgage Advice
  • Home Builder
Advertise on
Members of
NAEA ARLA NALS TPOS Sales TPOS Lettings TPOS TDS
Rankings
Overall Overall
Estate agents
Letting agents
Latest Properties

No Properties

Images & Videos
Hotblack Desiato Image 1
Camden Town, NW1
Highbury, N5
Islington, N1

“Daniel was very helpful and always ready to anwser all ......”

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May 16,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'Joana'
May 16,2016
0 people found
this helpful
Daniel was very helpful and always ready to anwser all of our questions and doubts. I would definetely recommend him and the office to another person....
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“I was looking to rent a larger flat in North ......”

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May 05,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'Thomas'
May 05,2016
0 people found
this helpful
I was looking to rent a larger flat in North London and came across Hotblack Desiato via the OnTheMarket platform. After a first viewing that did not work out for me, Daniel and Stephen kept me well informed about available properties, and I quickly found ...
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Comment on agent fees
fair/appropriate
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“We used Hotblack to let out our flat and were ......”

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May 05,2016
Minithumbup
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Stuart
By: 'Richard'
May 05,2016
0 people found
this helpful
We used Hotblack to let out our flat and were very happy with their service. When the time came to sell we approached a number of agents, but decided to go with Hotblack on the basis of competitive fees and past experience of service. We ...
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Comment on agent fees
Fees were more competitive than other agents we approached.
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“My wife and I had a very relaxed approach to ......”

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Apr 27,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'Marko'
Apr 27,2016
0 people found
this helpful
My wife and I had a very relaxed approach to finding a bigger flat for our family since we weren't in a hurry to move. That gave us the opportunity to be picky and Daniel was very patient with us and our demands. Our demands ...
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“We used a number of agents in the Islington area ......”

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Mar 23,2016
Minithumbup
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Stuart
By: 'Andrew'
Mar 23,2016
0 people found
this helpful
We used a number of agents in the Islington area during the search and purchase process and these guys stood out head and shoulders above the rest. A combination of clearly knowing their stuff, local knowledge, common sense, skilful negotiating, good industry connections and diligent ...
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“Hotblack got us lots of viewings from the off. Their ......”

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Mar 01,2016
Minithumbup
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Stuart
By: 'Imogen/Simon'
Mar 01,2016
0 people found
this helpful
Hotblack got us lots of viewings from the off. Their initial valuation proved a touch too high but once we reduced the price a little we had two firm offers within only a few weeks of marketing. The sale of the leasehold flat then became ...
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Comment on agent fees
I was happy with the fees.
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“Smooth and seamless process! I thought coming to London from ......”

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Feb 24,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'Rosario'
Feb 24,2016
0 people found
this helpful
Smooth and seamless process! I thought coming to London from NYC would be the most difficult place to get an apartment. Daniel did a great job with recognizing our interest and immediately came up with the right apartment in a great area, keeping our budget ...
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“Altogether, great experience. I have dealt with a number of ......”

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Feb 20,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'Vwong'
Feb 20,2016
0 people found
this helpful
Altogether, great experience. I have dealt with a number of awful estate agents in London, particularly from the fancier end and Hotblack (and Daniel Fairbairn) have been honest, straightforward and overall great to work with. Also, it was nice to work with such a responsive ...
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Comment on agent fees
Very fair
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“I used Hotblack Desiato to find tenants for my large ......”

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Feb 12,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'Margaret'
Feb 12,2016
0 people found
this helpful
I used Hotblack Desiato to find tenants for my large townhouse on one of Islington's squares. I dealt initially with Stephen Sanders then, after my tenants were signed up, with Tom Prevezer. I found both Stephen antd Tom to be very efficient, professional and businesslike ...
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Comment on agent fees
very good
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“Once we had accepted an offer Stuart @ Hotblacks worked like ......”

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Feb 09,2016
Minithumbup
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Stuart
By: 'Simon'
Feb 09,2016
0 people found
this helpful
Once we had accepted an offer Stuart @ Hotblacks worked like a bloody sheep dog chasing our somewhat unfocused buyers toward exchange, and it was a hard chase. Always polite, always calm, never for a moment letting the ball drop....
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Comment on agent fees
A reasonable 1.25%, we got a bit of a deal as an existing customer. I'd say they earned it.
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“Both the Islington and Highbury offices quickly ad courteously found ......”

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Jan 29,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'alan'
Jan 29,2016
0 people found
this helpful
Both the Islington and Highbury offices quickly ad courteously found a very suitable tenant for my flat. I'm very happy to recommend Hotblack as letting agents...
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Comment on agent fees
in comparison with other agents ,good value
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“Daniel was extremely attentive throughout the entire process and made ......”

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Jan 25,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'KatieW'
Jan 25,2016
0 people found
this helpful
Daniel was extremely attentive throughout the entire process and made sure to follow up with all parties (including me) to make sure that the transaction went through in the short time frame....
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“Both Daniel Fairbain and Stephen Sanders provided an excellent service, ......”

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Jan 21,2016
Minithumbup
By: 'Elizabeth'
Jan 21,2016
0 people found
this helpful
Both Daniel Fairbain and Stephen Sanders provided an excellent service, quick in finding tenants and correspondence and phone calls dealt with immediately. Accounts itemised and balance due to me as landlord was in my account before the tenants moved in....
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Comment on agent fees
Reasonable and fair fee.
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“If you´re looking for a listening, patient, effective and ......”

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Jan 19,2016
Minithumbup
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Stuart
By: 'Ayjay'
Jan 19,2016
0 people found
this helpful
If you´re looking for a listening, patient, effective and also proactive agency then look no further than Hotblack Desiato. We were fortunate to use them and very fortunate to use Stuart Shiers at the Upper Street office. I am a very demanding client who ...
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Comment on agent fees
as expected -- the going rate!
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“I only just arrived from New Zealand in the UK ......”

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Dec 09,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Donald'
Dec 09,2015
0 people found
this helpful
I only just arrived from New Zealand in the UK in early October and I was informed of Islington as an area I would enjoy living in. As you can imagine when I arrived on Upper Street, Estates agents are every where. Some are more ...
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“Stephen was excellent. Very efficient, found a choice of tenants ......”

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Dec 02,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Nick'
Dec 02,2015
0 people found
this helpful
Stephen was excellent. Very efficient, found a choice of tenants really quickly. I would highly recommend him and Hotblack Desiato...
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“We were living in Brighton before we found the flat ......”

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Nov 17,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Nat'
Nov 17,2015
0 people found
this helpful
We were living in Brighton before we found the flat in London and Tom manage to organize a visit that was ok with us coming by train. He was very nice and friendly, but also provided us with all the information we needed regarding the ...
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“Very happy with the quality of Hotblack Desiato. Love the ......”

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Nov 06,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Steffen'
Nov 06,2015
0 people found
this helpful
Very happy with the quality of Hotblack Desiato. Love the flat and the area ! They are very professional and quick to respond. Highly recommended....!!...
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Comment on agent fees
There is a check out fee payed by those who leave the apartment (if the contract is cancelled). All in all it seemed fair and ordinary....
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“I have used many different letting agencies in the past ......”

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Sep 21,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Kyri'
Sep 21,2015
0 people found
this helpful
I have used many different letting agencies in the past so with my experience I was extremely pleased to see the service that was provided to me from Hotblack and in particular, with the lettings agent I dealt with in Daniel Fairbain. Daniel was professional, ...
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“Where to start... Unfortunately I don't have several weeks to ......”

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Sep 06,2015
Minithumbdown
By: 'StrictlySmooth'
Sep 06,2015
5 people found
this helpful
Where to start... Unfortunately I don't have several weeks to write this review so I'll have to focus only on the particularly outrageous behaviour, since literally every single thing which could have been shambolic about their conduct came to sickening, disgusting fruition - nasty, rotten ...
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What agent could do to change your mind?
Too much, obviously - any amount would be too much to pay these cowboys.
Attached Filesnbsp;
Comment on agent fees
Too much, obviously - any amount would be too much to pay these cowboys.
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By: Lettings
Sep 10, 2015
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Hi. Without wishing to begin a slanging match here, we would just like to point out that 'Strictly Smooth' has not presented the true picture here. The story is much more complicated than this and some key facts are missing. ...

“We have used Hotblack Desiato for the first time and ......”

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Aug 28,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'David'
Aug 28,2015
0 people found
this helpful
We have used Hotblack Desiato for the first time and we were very pleased with the experience and would definitely do it again. We cannot fault the service we have received from Daniel and his co-workers. They were hard-working, reliable, professional and helpful at all ...
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“We have used Hotblack Desiato for the first time and ......”

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Aug 27,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'David'
Aug 27,2015
0 people found
this helpful
We have used Hotblack Desiato for the first time and we were very pleased with the experience and would definitely do it again. We cannot fault the service we have received from Daniel and his co-workers. They were hard-working, reliable, professional and helpful at all ...
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“Daniel was very helpful in assisting me to find a ......”

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Aug 26,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Sophie'
Aug 26,2015
0 people found
this helpful
Daniel was very helpful in assisting me to find a flat to rent - he worked around when I could make viewings from work, and was quick to respond to any questions by phone or email. I'm super happy with the flat and the service ...
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“Having lived in the UK for the better part of ......”

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Aug 13,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Michael'
Aug 13,2015
0 people found
this helpful
Having lived in the UK for the better part of a decade, I've dealt with a number of lettings agents in both London and Manchester. Hotblack Desiato beats them all hands down. Beyond the simple things you'd expect from a service like being courteous and ...
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Comment on agent fees
Incredibly reasonable and straightforward.
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By: Sarah
Aug 19, 2015
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Thank you for such a glowing review. ...

“Hotblack Desiato and Tom Prevezer and Stephen Sanders were friendly ......”

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Aug 12,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'JSmithdale'
Aug 12,2015
0 people found
this helpful
Hotblack Desiato and Tom Prevezer and Stephen Sanders were friendly and professional throughout. I was able to view the property the following day after first making an enquiry and I had the opportunity to do a second viewing without issue. They were always helpful over ...
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“Very professional service on this letting. Swift and problem free. ......”

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Jul 31,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Gianna'
Jul 31,2015
0 people found
this helpful
Very professional service on this letting. Swift and problem free. I look forward to dealing with Hotblacks on my next let...
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“I was very happy with this agency and how they ......”

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Jul 30,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Lorenza'
Jul 30,2015
0 people found
this helpful
I was very happy with this agency and how they managed with the whole renting process. Kind, professional and efficient. Thank you....
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“Our experience with Hotblack Desiato was incredibly helpful and rewarding. ......”

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Jul 29,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Brendan'
Jul 29,2015
0 people found
this helpful
Our experience with Hotblack Desiato was incredibly helpful and rewarding. Our agent, Daniel, was kind, attentive, and helped us through the whole process. I can't recommend them enough....
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Comment on agent fees
Completely fair.
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“Great service from Daniel He was very clear, was always ......”

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Jul 17,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Vicente'
Jul 17,2015
0 people found
this helpful
Great service from Daniel He was very clear, was always available and had quicly and rapid responses when they were needed. I am glad that I encountered my flat with his services....
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“The agency found a family that I am sure appreciates ......”

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Jul 05,2015
Minithumbup
By: 'Neville'
Jul 05,2015
0 people found
this helpful
The agency found a family that I am sure appreciates the house, and were efficient in handling all the contracts etc....
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Staff picture Jessica
(116)
Staff picture Stuart
(49)
Staff picture Samantha
(4)
Staff picture James
(1)
Staff picture James

Tenant Fees

Overall Fees
£0 (inc. VAT), Pay Upfront

Fees & Payments (as permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019)
Holding Deposit - One week’s rent
Security Deposit - 5 weeks rent to £50,000pa or 6 weeks if higher
Change of Tenant/sharer - £50 inc VAT or reasonable costs if higher
Failure to return keys plus cost of changing locks - Full replacement costs
Early Termination - Re-marketing costs (See below)
Variation of Contract - £50 inc VAT (see below)

Last updated on 31/05/2019, 4:23 PM by Jessica Pinnick - Lettings Manager

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.

Complaints Procedure

Please visit our website www.hotblack.co.uk or call our office on 020 7226 0160 for our complaints procedure
Last updated at 9:41 AM 01/09/2017 by Stuart Shiers

Awards won by Hotblack Desiato, London N1 2XQ



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Hotblack Desiato

Branch - Islington, London, N1

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