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Martin & Co Caterham

A selection of reviews/testimonials by highest rating
(in some cases, not all reviews/testimonials will be displayed)
1.00 /5

If you are a prospective tenant, I advise exercising caution regarding this management company if they oversee the property you are considering renting. Throughout our 4.5-year tenancy, we consistently fulfilled our obligations by paying rent on time and in full, maintaining the flat in good condition—as confirmed by periodic inspections—and rarely inconveniencing the landlord with issues. However, our experience upon vacating the property was ridiculous, despite providing notice that exceeded our contractual obligations. Alongside our landlord, the agent attempted to claim our entire £1,500 deposit through the Deposit Protection Service. They allowed the landlord to leave us without a washing machine for over three months and attempted to breach one of their own contract terms by trying to raise the rent beyond the limit they had established, which occurred during two consecutive rent reviews. The team's ability to conduct professional correspondence was lacking; their emails conveyed an unwarranted sense of superiority and were written as if they were factual rather than opinion-based. We were unwilling to be intimidated into paying amounts for which we were not responsible. The Deposit Protection Service ultimately ruled in our favor, awarding the landlord a small proportion of what they claimed. We were fortunate that we did not require our deposit back promptly having only just received it back 4 months after vacating the property. This was due to it being held by the Deposit Protection Service whilst the dispute was dealt with. Having rented properties for 15 years, I have never encountered such unprofessional behavior.

Reply from agent

I want to clarify a few points. During a 4.5-year tenancy, this tenant did not leave any negative reviews until the very end, after a deposit dispute. This suggests that, for most of the tenancy, they viewed us as a reliable estate agency, effectively managing the landlord’s business and supporting the tenants. Any dissatisfaction would likely have been raised earlier rather than at the end of their stay. The review seems mainly driven by frustration over the deposit dispute. Situations like these contribute to the rental crisis, as tenants dispute deposits, and the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) often rules in their favor, regardless of the evidence presented. Even when we submit independent quotes for repairs or cleaning, DPS may still place the costs on the landlord, even if the tenant is at fault. This systemic issue drives rent increases across the industry. Reading the review raises questions about why we sought the full £1,500 deposit, the condition of the property, and the tenants' behavior during their stay. It’s worth noting that we don’t receive similar complaints from other tenants. Were these tenants necessarily in the right? These are important considerations. Regarding the rent review mentioned in the complaint, while unrelated, I will address it briefly. The existing contract includes a clause allowing rent reviews based on a government-published inflation index. For a higher rent increase, a new contract would be required. The tenants accepted the reviewed rent and signed a new contract, which contradicts the claim of a breach. They could have rejected the proposal but chose to accept it, avoiding the costs and inconvenience of moving out. This arrangement was practical, mutually beneficial, and fair. Criticizing the process and posting inaccurate reviews seems irresponsible. As for the comment on "superiority," it could reflect the tenant’s own feelings rather than any fault in our conduct. Professional communication can be interpreted differently by different individuals, but we strive to maintain factual, professional standards. The criticism seems to favour opinion-based communication, which is inconsistent with a professional approach. I am puzzled by her review that’s self conflicting in that she would call a factual based communication as unprofessional….. Overall, it is unclear how our service was considered unprofessional. This appears to be an instance of a tenant expressing frustration after not getting their way.

Contact details
Sales Phone:

01883 332933

Opening hours

Unknown

Address

5 Godstone Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 6RE, UK, CR3

About

We specialise in buying, selling and letting properties in Caterham and surrounding areas, and have been providing expert advice, guidance and support to our customers since 2004. Managing Directors and father and daughter team, Marc Hansen and Lucie Allen together bring over 28 years of experience in the property industry to the team, providing expert advice and support to customers. Caterham is situated south of London and within the M25, making it an ideal place to live and commute to London. The team at Martin & Co Caterham has built up an enviable reputation for handling house sales and property lettings within the town and the surrounding areas. So whether you have a property for sale or you are looking for a house to rent, our team at Martin & Co Caterham is always on hand to find the best solution to suit your needs, please do get in touch. Why not get the ball rolling with a free online valuation? Find out what your property is worth in a matter of minutes, and let Martin & Co Caterham get you on the move.

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