They are a decent enough letting company, and they did manage to tend to a number of issues that came up during my tenancy. The reason I'm only giving 2 stars is due to the 'checkout report' that was done by one of the staff (not mentioning names here) - which was forwarded to myself and the landlord. Now, I understand that its up to myself to keep the place tidy etc, and it was left in a very decent condition - considering I was there for around 2 years give or take. But on that report, it seemed very very thorough. Picking out every single detail, and making it sounding much worse than it actually was. (i.e. finger-marked sockets/switches, dusty doors/radiators etc). It was never going to be 100% immaculate was it? Inevitably, it resulted in me losing a big chunk of my deposit.

They are a decent enough letting company, and they did manage to tend to a number of issues that came up during my tenancy. The reason I'm only giving 2 stars is due to the 'checkout report' that was done by one of the staff (not mentioning names here) - which was forwarded to myself and the landlord. Now, I understand that its up to myself to keep the place tidy etc, and it was left in a very decent condition - considering I was there for around 2 years give or take. But on that report, it seemed very very thorough. Picking out every single detail, and making it sounding much worse than it actually was. (i.e. finger-marked sockets/switches, dusty doors/radiators etc). It was never going to be 100% immaculate was it? Inevitably, it resulted in me losing a big chunk of my deposit.

They seem OK, but as a middleman between you and a landlord they seem happy to leave you in the dark regarding works on your building... Even with emergency repairs. So sometimes you have to chase them up to find out what is happening. EDIT: A year on, still waiting for works... one of which has been 6 years in waiting now, the other is a huge crack in the wall that leaks every time it rains. Next to plugs. Never seem to be able to get someone out... but are happy to up the rent for the landlord. Second Edit: We are actually getting people out. Maybe. Perhaps. But at least its something. This does seem to be more an issue with the previous landlord who sold the property as 'in good condition' and the new landlord is now facing a surprise bill for work he didnt expect to need to do. Martins as the middleman are just trying to do their best to be a go between. The staff in Martins are always polite and helpful. If the review was just for them, it's 5 stars. But the process of being a go-between, and not having the info required half the time, its always going to be hard to recommend renting through this type of company

They seem OK, but as a middleman between you and a landlord they seem happy to leave you in the dark regarding works on your building... Even with emergency repairs. So sometimes you have to chase them up to find out what is happening. EDIT: A year on, still waiting for works... one of which has been 6 years in waiting now, the other is a huge crack in the wall that leaks every time it rains. Next to plugs. Never seem to be able to get someone out... but are happy to up the rent for the landlord. Second Edit: We are actually getting people out. Maybe. Perhaps. But at least its something. This does seem to be more an issue with the previous landlord who sold the property as 'in good condition' and the new landlord is now facing a surprise bill for work he didnt expect to need to do. Martins as the middleman are just trying to do their best to be a go between. The staff in Martins are always polite and helpful. If the review was just for them, it's 5 stars. But the process of being a go-between, and not having the info required half the time, its always going to be hard to recommend renting through this type of company

The Stoke branch has been looking after properties for me and my partner. They're exceptionally bad at getting contractors for maintenance issues. We've had to chase them up to make sure jobs are done. If they can't find a contractor in 2-3 weeks, they tend to forget the issue. We had one occasion where funds sent in as a deposit for one job were allocated to another job by a different contractor. The staff are pleasant enough to deal with, but it's a poor service. Landlords with fewer than five properties should be wary. For tenants, we suggest you avoid the Stoke branch. No guarantee that they'll sort out maintenance issues in good time.

RIP you off

I have never dealt with a more incompetent or shameless letting agent in my life. Not only was the property riddled with issues caused by the landlord’s own corner-cutting, but they also want to charge a small fortune to live in a dated, dreary house the only thing that appealed to us was the space. The house was practically held together with tape and wishful thinking from day one. Poor workmanship everywhere, fixtures that barely functioned, no modernisation of the property or any improvements in what looked like around 10-15 years, then when we thankfully gave our notice to leave the property the letting agents along with the greedy landlord tried to take our full deposit and more, along with over inflating the prices of simple fixes such as £40 for a light bulb! Instead of acknowledging the landlord’s negligence, they tried to fabricate responsibility and push through unjustified charges. Their communication was evasive, unprofessional, and completely lacking in accountability. One particular staff member named Athmika lied on her emails so much so it was borderline illegal, she had very little knowledge of the DPS guidelines and how it functioned, and even went as far as to say that the property was fully redecorated when we moved in - which it was not, by Martin & co’s own check in report everywhere was scuffed and chipped so is their own staff member the liar or was their own check in report the liar?! Needless to say we disputed their ridiculous, greedy and false charges with the DPS. Our deposit was £1500, they were claiming £3200 in charges, baring in mind we lived there for only 12 months. Funnily the previous tenants came to collect their mail whilst we lived there and they had exactly the same situation when they left the property, we have even compared notes and they tried to charge us both for the same things that somehow never get fixed! Another side note the landlord left us without a functioning front door for 4 months, he had several ‘contractors’ come out and they all told Martin&co and the landlord it needed a new front door, yet they constantly tried to get someone to ‘just fix it’ it was only when we said we would withhold the rental monies till it was sorted that the door was actually replaced. Martin&co ‘managed’ this property so it makes me worry that they are happy for tenants to live in homes that are unsafe and without another point of exit should there be a fire. If you value honesty, transparency, or even basic competence, do yourself a favour and stay far, far away from this agency. They are more interested in covering up the landlord’s shortcuts than treating tenants fairly. They are happy to get you signed up, yet when you leave they are just as greedy as the landlords themselves. Judging from a vast number of bad reviews they currently have, it happens to pretty much everyone who exits a property with them! Save your money and go to a reputable estate agents for your lettings, thankfully we have now purchased a property through bridgefords who were absolutely exceptional and don’t have to contend with greedy landlords and unprofessional estate agents again!

Absolutely terrible service. Not only do you wait days for a reply from an email, you are also laughed at down the phone. You are constantly having to chase them up and are told they will pass messages but nothing is done! Absolutely shocking

One of the most terrible housing agent, before I write a lot, let me tell you that, this agent would never want to give you your deposit. They claimed I spoiled a window blind that had spoilt more than 2years ago, Unknowingly to them, I knew the tenant that left the house before I moved in. I got both in and out inventory from the previous tenants and compared with me and I see that same issue has been raised for like two years with different tenants and still want to deduct my deposit for same window. After showing proof of my claim, they finally agreed to not deduct my deposit, I cleaned the house so clean, they deducted £157 for cleaning two bedroom flat. Just look for another agent to rent from.