Elwood & Co

Not very helpful or empathetic.
Sep 11th, 2022

Critical: Professionalism, Quality, Value
Feb 10th, 2022

Critical: Responsiveness
Dec 26th, 2021

Aug 27th, 2021

Terrible and stressful experience. Absolutely dreadful place staffed by very condescending and unhelpful people. - Extremely rude staff, to the point my work receptionist had to comment to me that they had received a rude call from Elwood that bothered them. Very embarrassing for a working professional. - The property was not registered in any way at all upon moving in. Not for post, water, any kind of phone line, nothing. I lost letters and money from loved ones upon moving in as I was not suitably warned the property was 100% unregistered for post. - A fire alarm was reported as faulty due to over sensitivity and the issue was left unattended to for over a year after this was made known by email. - Exposed and sharp screws sticking out of stairway of flat, dangerous. - Unpainted sections of wall upon arrival, notably above bathroom cabinet and around washing machine. - No draft exclusion at all on front door upon arrival, with a visible 2cm gap under door to the street outside. Was fixed with a brush strip but a compromise. - Charged 850 of my deposit for mopping a floor when leaving, follow up email inquiry as to this matter was later ignored (proof image attached). Floor was uneven and creaky for the duration of stay at property. I have photographs of how the floor was left the night before inspection, if the floor couldn't be mopped was it suitable in the first place? - Rent was increased three times in under three years, upon talking to the landlord he gave comments suggesting this was not at his specific request. - I was told plainly the flat had "the latest insulation" upon first viewing. Whilst calling out a Virgin Media technician to drill a cable, it was discovered the walls actually had no insulation at all. Just plasterboard, air, then a layer of cladding. - Improperly sealed exterior would cause dust and draughts to blow into the property. To be fair I did request a splash guard be added behind the kitchen hobs to protect the paintwork when cooking, this work was carried out quickly and to a good standard. I wasn't a perfect tenant, one time when away on business Elwood insisted they must access the flat which was left untidy as I was suffering from a serious leg injury the week before and was unable to clean. Also I was a day late on one month's rent increase of 20 once, prompting a host of rude and disruptive phone calls to my work until I corrected my 20 error as quickly as I could. I probably could have been cleaner at times but I don't feel this excuses the overall lack of service I received. Being new to renting I really would have appreciated a spirit of cooperation and friendliness in renting the property that they agreed to let me. Instead I found myself feeling judged, condescended, ignored on important issues of safety and generally treated in an unpleasant manner. I was trying my best at the time and really left the situation wanting to forget that I ever lived there, a really terrible experience. Although I'm optimistic by nature I'm afraid I really have to give this letting agent 1 star. Other letting agents since (in London of all places) that I've dealt with have been far more cooperative, friendly, transparent and kind. I'd seriously have misgivings about using this letting agent either as a tenant or even to represent me as a landlord. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDIT AS OF FEB 2021 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Having just seen Philip's response, I think it's poignant to update my review. The following below is written 01/02/21. Since Philip has sadly suggested I'm lying I'll attach evidence of my claims, I am not a liar and I am offended by that suggestion. Find attached as images; the condition I left the floor in, my fire alarm complaint ignored, my actual last comms & my full response since I've hit my character limit on this post.
Feb 4th, 2022