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Martin & Co Plymouth

A selection of reviews/testimonials by highest rating
(in some cases, not all reviews/testimonials will be displayed)
2.00 /5

This is the only letting agent I’ve had where the MD is never available to speak with over the phone or even by email. The previous letting agent’s MD’s were available, I’d even met them, and exchanged emails from them. All reviews on this site seem to be answered directly by the MD. My tenancy ended with Martin & Co earlier this year but today out of the blue I received a promotional email from them, compelling me to get a response directly from Mr Whittaker. Thank you.

Reply from agent

Hi Jonathan, Thank you for taking the time to provide a review. I agree. I don't think we've ever spoken or emailed. Please do feel free to pick up the phone to give me a call on 01752 255 255 or email directly at chris.whitaker@martinco.com. My contact details are on our website, so I'm not sure why we haven't managed to communicate before now. Best, Chris Whitaker Managing Director

2.00 /5

Landlord tried to claim for damage that was recorded in agent's check-in report. Agent showed no effort to stop it. Had to enter into an dispute with them on DPS. I won. Rediculously obvious mistake.

2.00 /5

If you're looking for a property to rent I wouldn't ever recommend Martin and Co. The Negotiators are great at finding you somewhere and doing the viewing and move in, but the property managers are very bad and just don't care, took over a … More

Reply from agent

Katherine, Thank you for your feedback. I know that you have been working with Laney to resolve a few issues that you have had at your property. Hopefully in due course we can impress you further and earn that fourth and fifth star rating. Kind regards, Chris Whitaker (Managing Director)

2.00 /5

We rented a property from them for the last 3 years. Besides the long and expensive referencing procedure the tenancy was good. Most problems were attended to and fixed fairly promptly. Throughout the tenancy we did have a damp problem in the top two bedrooms - they made no effort to fix it, providing two dehumidifiers and asked us to use them daily. Prior to departure we cleaned the house thoroughly, following this an external company which they used to survey the property stated that the property needed to be cleaned professionally. The landlord then attempted to take part of our deposit. As the agency did not take an inventory there was no proof of the initial condition. Luckily the deposit was stored in the DPS and we were able to get it back 4 months after leaving the tenancy.

Reply from agent

Mike, We have spoken at some length on the issues that you have raised. I have explained that I do not agree with a number of the issues that you have highlighted and I do not believe that the review is balanced or fair. I have the following feedback in respect of the points that you make: - Our tenancy fees are explained at the point of application, are available for review online and are displayed prominently in our offices. These fees are significantly below the average across Plymouth and can be verified as such. At the start of the application process, a tenants' terms of business was submitted requesting a move-in date of 30 Jul 15. This requested date was also the date on which you moved into the property and your tenancy started. As such, no delays in tenancy were caused through the application and referencing process. - An issue with damp was highlighted to your property manager during the first winter season of your tenancy. As a consequence, a contractor visited the property and undertook work on the roof with the lead flashing. The landlord was advised that the chimney would also benefit from re-pointing and capping. The landlord was unwilling to pay for these works. Given this position, we provided dehumidifiers to extract any excess damp from the air. Since these dehumidifiers were fitted, there were no further complaints. Your decision to extend the tenancy on two separate occasions subsequently might suggest that the issue of damp was isolated in both duration and significance. - We hold tenant deposits within our government-approved custodial scheme on behalf of our landlords and take instructions from our landlord clients at the end of the tenancy as to whether any deductions should be applied. The recommendations that we make are always evidence-based. In the vast majority of cases landlords accept the advice that we offer. In some instances landlords wish to pursue a deposit regardless. This is very much an individual choice and we will take our landlords' direction accordingly. In this instance, your deposit went for independent arbitration, where it was found that there was insufficient evidence for the landlord to retain the deposit for cleaning. As such, it was directed that the monies should be returned to you in full. Whilst there is no perfect system for the management of deposit returns at the end of tenancy, we are proud to fully support the government-approved scheme of which we are a member. I accept that this deposit return process has been frustrating for you, but the outcome has been the one that you believe to be correct. We have no complaint with this as the case has been independently arbitrated based on the evidence provided. I hope that you accept that our role as managing agent is to ensure that our landlords’ wishes are followed in line with due legal process. You will also understand that we have no vested interest or financial motivation in making unfair or unsupported claims from security deposits. Kind Regards, Chris Whitaker Martin & Co - Executive Lets

2.00 /5

We rented a property from them for the last 3 years. Besides the long and expensive referencing procedure the tenancy was good. Most problems were attended to and fixed fairly promptly. Throughout the tenancy we did have a damp problem in the top two bedrooms - they made no effort to fix it, providing two dehumidifiers and asked us to use them daily. Prior to departure we cleaned the house thoroughly, following this an external company which they used to survey the property stated that the property needed to be cleaned professionally. The landlord then attempted to take part of our deposit. As the agency did not take an inventory there was no proof of the initial condition. Luckily the deposit was stored in the DPS and we were able to get it back 4 months after leaving the tenancy.

Reply from agent

Mike, We have spoken at some length on the issues that you have raised. I have explained that I do not agree with a number of the issues that you have highlighted and I do not believe that the review is balanced or fair. I have the following feedback in respect of the points that you make: - Our tenancy fees are explained at the point of application, are available for review online and are displayed prominently in our offices. These fees are significantly below the average across Plymouth and can be verified as such. At the start of the application process, a tenants' terms of business was submitted requesting a move-in date of 30 Jul 15. This requested date was also the date on which you moved into the property and your tenancy started. As such, no delays in tenancy were caused through the application and referencing process. - An issue with damp was highlighted to your property manager during the first winter season of your tenancy. As a consequence, a contractor visited the property and undertook work on the roof with the lead flashing. The landlord was advised that the chimney would also benefit from re-pointing and capping. The landlord was unwilling to pay for these works. Given this position, we provided dehumidifiers to extract any excess damp from the air. Since these dehumidifiers were fitted, there were no further complaints. Your decision to extend the tenancy on two separate occasions subsequently might suggest that the issue of damp was isolated in both duration and significance. - We hold tenant deposits within our government-approved custodial scheme on behalf of our landlords and take instructions from our landlord clients at the end of the tenancy as to whether any deductions should be applied. The recommendations that we make are always evidence-based. In the vast majority of cases landlords accept the advice that we offer. In some instances landlords wish to pursue a deposit regardless. This is very much an individual choice and we will take our landlords' direction accordingly. In this instance, your deposit went for independent arbitration, where it was found that there was insufficient evidence for the landlord to retain the deposit for cleaning. As such, it was directed that the monies should be returned to you in full. Whilst there is no perfect system for the management of deposit returns at the end of tenancy, we are proud to fully support the government-approved scheme of which we are a member. I accept that this deposit return process has been frustrating for you, but the outcome has been the one that you believe to be correct. We have no complaint with this as the case has been independently arbitrated based on the evidence provided. I hope that you accept that our role as managing agent is to ensure that our landlords’ wishes are followed in line with due legal process. You will also understand that we have no vested interest or financial motivation in making unfair or unsupported claims from security deposits. Kind Regards, Chris Whitaker Martin & Co - Executive Lets

1.00 /5

The worst house rental company I’ve ever gone with. They didn’t answer any question I sent over the 1 year I was renting the house. Worst service I’ve ever had.

Reply from agent

Dear Aeran, We don't understand this. You've never been a tenant of ours and we have no record of having ever communicated with you on our system. We are however aware that you are a friend of a former tenant of ours and that this individual failed to return keys at the end of his tenancy. As such, he was charged rent to cover the period he did not vacate in line with his contracted agreement. In addition, the check out report for this property has shown a significant number of dilapidations for which the landlord is seeking financial recompense. Your friend has not yet disputed any of the issues raised and recorded in our check out report or the claims made by the landlord. If your friend does wish to make a representation, he should speak to his Property Manager Abbie who will advise him of the process by which he can do this. If we're not able to reach a negotiated settlement with the landlord, he will need to submit evidence for independent arbitration to the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), who will ultimately make a decision on a suitable apportionment of the security deposit. This decision rightly falls outside of our remit. Rest assured, your friend's security deposit will not be released until an agreement has been reached. In terms of failing to respond to 'your question', we have always responded to the maintenance issues raised by your friend during his tenancy. On review of the maintenance log, all issues raised were resolved in a timely manner and we never had any complaint from your friend during his tenancy. It would appear that he has never expressed dissatisfaction with the support that he has been provided until the check out report documenting the condition in which he left the property was released to him. Thank you for taking the time to provide a view on behalf of your friend. Please do ask him to call us to discuss in greater detail so that we can support him and look to mediate on his behalf with the landlord. If this is not to his satisfaction we can advise on the next steps that he can take. In the meantime, I wish you the very best of success with your very engaging Tik Tok fitness channel. 5*. Regards, Chris Whitaker Managing Director

1.00 /5

Having lived at 168 Citadel Road under the stewardship of Martin and Co, where the landlord is a director of Martin and Co, I can confirm that they are the worst

Reply from agent

Dear Craig, Thanks for confirming that we are one of the better ones here in Plymouth! It's always great to hear how helpful and friendly our staff is. Many Thanks Abigail Lamerton Business Generation Manager

1.00 /5

Do not be fooled by the good reviews. If 0 stars was an option that’s what they’d be getting. If you are looking to rent a sub standard property, then not get your deposit back at the end of the tenancy then this is definitely the agent for you. Whilst it all starts off nicely, after you view a property and agree to take it, that is when the promises start being broken. Moved into a property with mould and damp after having been promised a complete redecoration by the person that showed me round. Never happened. Then a professional clean. Never happened. After a few months most bits were sorted however mould remained after more and more leaks and did so until 1 week before I moved out. A year later. Then trying to get a response to get my deposit back was like pulling teeth, and is still outstanding despite the property being in far better condition now than when I moved in. Apparently can’t get confirmation from the landlord to release the deposit even though they have re-let this substandard property to some other poor tenant who will inherit the damp and mould problems with the house. Communication is shockingly bad, their property management department take ages to come back to any form of enquiry and trying to get essential repairs done took weeks and in some cases went on for months. I’m sure however if I decided not to pay the rent they’d have been in contact straight away. Would advise based on personal experience using any letting agent other than them. A terrible customer experience every step of the way that could easily have been avoided with better communication and fulfilling promises

1.00 /5

They never respond to your enquiries about properties. 5 times I've been ignored now. Very unprofessional.

Reply from agent

Hi Alex, Thank you for getting in touch. I'm really disappointed and sorry to hear this. We are incredibly busy, but that's no excuse for failing to respond to any enquiries that you've submitted. We have tried as a priority to call this morning to try to assist you. Unfortunately, we have no record of your name on our system and no open or closed enquiries registered to you. It's therefore impossible for us to respond directly. Let's get this sorted for you. Please give me a call this morning on 01752 255 255, ask for me and we can move forward in your support. Best, Chris Whitaker Managing Director

Contact details
Sales Phone:

01752 255 255

Sales Email:

plymouth@martinco.com

Lettings Phone:

01752 255 255

Lettings Email:

plymouth@martinco.com

Opening hours
Monday-Friday: 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday: 09:00 - 14:00
Address

27 Mutley Plain, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 6JG, PL4

About

Here at Martin & Co Plymouth we provide Sales, Lettings and Investments. We offer the advantages of being an independent, family run business, whilst being part of the big national Martin & Co franchise and all the support it brings. Directors, Chris and Merolyn, have been landlords themselves for many years and look to be the agents they have always aspired to find themselves - reliable, efficient and trustworthy. With competitive rates, great customer service and real integrity, we like to think we're not just your average agent.

Our team

Chris Whitaker

Association of Residential Letting Agents
Property Ombudsman Sales
Property Ombudsman Lettings
Ombudsman Services
onthemarket
rightmove
Zoopla
Primelocation
Email / E-shot
Floor Plan
For Sale / To Let Board
Newspaper / Magazine
360 Photography
Professional Photos
Accompanied Viewings
Sales Progression
Manage / Negotiate
Windows Display
Property Brochure
Email / E-shot
Floor Plan
For Sale / To Let Board
Newspaper / Magazine
360 Photography
Professional Photos
Accompanied Viewings
Sales Progression
Manage / Negotiate
Windows Display
Property Brochure