Unfortunately, we had a terrible experience with Northwood. When we first rented our property, we informed Northwood of some loose carpeting on the staircase which had caused my partner to fall down the stairs. Rather than fixing the issue, Northwood told us to “reconsider if this is somewhere we wanted to live”. When we discovered a massive cluster of black mould behind our fitted wardrobes (which had seeped through and destroyed most of our hung clothes) Northwood initially claimed that this was through our ‘lifestyle’ without even seeing the property. When we finally persuaded them to call out an independent damp surveyor who confirmed that this was a structural issue and in no way our fault, they were not apologetic and took ages to reply. My partner and I were forced to sleep on the downstairs living room floor for weeks until they finally got someone round to fix the bedroom. When I asked about fixing the black mould in the bathroom, we were told that it was ‘easily wipeable’ despite it being down the back of the shower and ceiling. Despite the house being advertised as pet friendly and us moving in with a cat and being transparent it the letting agent about our intention to get another, we were served an eviction notice when we got another kitten. (When we were initially showed the property, we were told that the previous tenant had three cats). We feel that this was Northwood trying to shift us out for fighting with them about the mould. This eviction notice was swiftly retracted, as the property was advertised as cat friendly. When we moved out of the property, Northwood tried to take a large chunk of our deposit. They claimed the carpets were unclean despite us paying a professional carpet cleaner that they recommended. Once we showed receipts, they removed this from the bill. We ended up having to raise a case with the DPS to get our money back for other grievances (we won). The property managers that we delt with were condescending, rude, and unprofessional. No one should have to be told to “reconsider if this is a place to you want to live” when raising a genuine health and safely concern. No rent-paying adult should have to be forced to sleep on the living room floor for weeks because their bedroom is uninhabitable due to mould. No one should have to fight with the DPS to get their deposit back in a cost-of-living crisis. The only reason my partner and I are not raising this with the Housing Ombudsman is because the last year of renting with Northwood has been so horrible that we just want the whole ordeal to be over.

Do not use as a tenant unless you’re happy to forfeit your whole security deposit.

Throughout the whole tenancy, they seemed to do everything in their power to make moving into our first rental house a hellish experience. Told us we wouldn't need a guarantor but then decided we did need a guarantor, unnecessary difficult attitude during the experience. If you're looking to privately rent, my suggestion would be to steer well clear of these people, they're only interested in themselves and the landlord with no regard for tenants. The inspection after we had moved out was used to nit-pick details which had no relevance in being deducted from the already large deposit paid, a truly dreadful company.

A very bad experience with this company. please avoid the rental property with Northwood which managed by landlord please, we were renting previously from 8 years with different property agents but never had so much bad experience with anyone but just Northwood Cheltenham. I was a tenant in there Gloucester area and quickly learnt this company only cares about the landlords. They sting the tenants at any opportunity possible, especially up front with unnecessary charges and fees, some of which other agents don't use. Even when treating the property with the utmost respect and care, there was always something they picked up on inspection when leaving the property .I too photos and videos of each and everything included oven grill and they were in bad condition we never used it we just used the cooker and my own small oven grill but when left the property they changed me for that even I had photos and videos that it was like it but anyway we went to dispute and every tenant should do it if they had that nasty experience. When we booked the viewings for the property mili was there and she don't have any knowledge about the property and whenever there was any issues they explain that it's managed by Landlord so they will contact him but then forget about the reply on time and then we haveto deal with any situation ourselves. There were alot of issues during our stay in one of the detached house in Gloucester there were water drainage issue we faced three time in a year and garage were fully flooded with the drainage water and all my stuff ,clothes, bages, everything we stored in the garage was spoil and ruind the manager Holly I contacted her and all what she said that she will email the Landlord and then no one sorted it .it's happened three times in one year and Holly and Mili both the sisters managed till the renting and they have another rude staff who will deals with you when you are about to left the property.they have different staff to deals and that staff member I remember the name Lisa she will deals with everything and believe me you will be charged for everything Trust me. It's not a nice experience, they're friendly up front but tyrants once you're in the property. Wait. Search elsewhere. Moving to another property was the best thing we'd done! Such a relief There workers(electrician, plumber) are also not reliable enough to leave them alone when they come to do any property work as our experience electrician did work to fix the glass electric burner but leave the mark on the glass while fixing the burner and when he left we findout that now we will be responsible for that so we email them and during the inspection I showed Holly and she said its fine but charged me at the end. There were a fish pond in that property we request the landlords to put some wooden bariar as precautions because I have a child with additional needs but forget about that the filter pump stopped working and due to electrical issue Landlord didn't bother to solve the problem he left the fish pond spoiled and let the Fishes die so sad. There was no electricity supply in all the switches ithe property because there was issues with the electricity wiring due to age of the property and when he comes spend whole day but never sorted so we left the property week ago due to the shortage of electricity. It was very bad experience during renting with them . Don't forget your true right to go in dispute if you have all the photos and videos of the property condition when you entered the property . Don't forget to take photos and videos for evidence. There are very good letting agents we had experience with them except Northwood Specifically there property that are manged by the Landlord . When you come to leave they don't make it easy for you and will rinse you on the way out the door again, including professional cleaning and put extra charges for the stuff they provided in bad condition like oven cooker etc.NegativeResponsiveness, Quality, Value

Unprofessional AVOID

If.you are tenant..... Avoid, avoid and once again avoid !!! . Before you sign contract with northwood double check all fees. They will charged a lot ! report check out- be ready for" laboratory"deep cleaning inspection , don't forget your receipt for professional cleaning your carpets. Every 2-3 months "Property inspection". They have done even unannonced viewing without saying "apologise".

Really bad experience.We were in a hurry looking for house in Cheltenham. I told the agent about our situation she confirmed that 10days are enough to move in than we book a viewing , like the house ,ready to pay deposit ect. suddenly they told me that Landlord need to be contacted first before accepting any payment and they will contact me ASAP which never happen.I phone them few times answer was always" I will ask my colleague she will call you back".Really I still waiting 10days later.

Terrible service!! The attitude from all the staff is discusting and rude!!!

Horrible experience with this company. I was a tenant and quickly learnt this company only cares about the landlords. They sting the tenants at any opportunity possible, especially up front with unnecessary charges and fees, some of which other agents don't use. Even when treating the property with the utmost respect and care, there was always something they picked up on in their frequent inspection. This included my own washing in the sinks whilst I am living in the property and even writing letters to me complaining about the state of the front garden when it was perfect, it was the long unoccupied neighbours property which was overgrown with weeds etc and I am not responsible and have no right to do anything about it. When you check rent prices in an area this company is easily 10-20% more expensive than equivelant homes from other letters and agents. When you come to leave they don't make it easy for you and will rinse you on the way out the door again, including professional cleaning even when not necessary. Trust me. It's not a nice experience, they're friendly up front but tyrants once you're in the property. Wait. Search elsewhere. Moving to another letters property was the best thing we'd done! Such a relief.