I'm a landlord and had Martin & Co Paisley rent out my flat. They found a couple with a 5 year old child and said they had been vetted etc. Turns out it was a family with 2 small children. Who completely ruined my flat: Large red stains on carpet which needed replaced, food crushed into carpets, chewing gum stomped into carpets, handles off walls, food splashed up walls, paint ripped off walls. This list was endless. Fortunately we had a trades person that we know to go in and replace thermostat valves on the radiators (still unsure how they were all missing??), because the gas engineer that M&Co. had to quote decided we needed a new radiator etc etc and the quote was over a grand! This was not required at all! Our gas engineer advised us on the very bad situation in our flat and I requested M&Co. carry out an immediate inspection. A week after the inspection I had to contact them to request an update. Shockingly, the agent I spoke to said that there was nothing wrong with the flat and that 'some people have higher living condition expectations than others'. Hmmm. yes tenants ruining my property is certainly my problem. As expected I challenged the agent's report to only be told that he had made a mistake and that the report he had given was of the flat above. The audacity of this company is next level. Eventually they admitted that there was a problem in the flat and that they had spoken to the tenants that they needed to clean up the mess. Thankfully these awful tenants moved out but I was left with a big mess and had to redecorate, replace carpets, take their broken belongings to the dump (yes the disgusting tenants left all their rubbish for me to dispose of, like I was their personal slave). They didn't even pay their full rent for the last month. Horrific creatures. And all along M&Co. kept taking their fees and making claiming the measly deposit and my rent extremely difficult. AWFUL COMPANY. NO PROFESSIONALISM. WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS LOT. COULDN'T ORGANISE A PEACE UP IN A BREWERY. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!!

Where do I start with this? From the get go I could tell this company was extremely unprofessional. I viewed a flat. I met a person from Martin and co. The current tenants were there and they showed me round and answered the questions I had. I suspect they were leaving their tenancy early and it was in their best interests not tell me a boy what horrors would await me. The flat was very cluttered and hid a lot of the problems I later realised. I agreed to let the for 6 months. They used extremely corrupt and underhand tactics by saying that suddenly There was someone else interested and would I increase my already high rent of £1000! This was the first red flag. I collected the keys and to my horror the worktop was rotten and black. I immediately emailed the landlord who is also the director of Martin and co. An arrogant person who assured me it would be replaced. An absolute liar. There were also other problems. Handrail very loose. Top of the stairs banister loose. The grade 2 listed windows in an awful state of disrepair. My list went on. The only thing he bothered to fix was the loose hand rail and made a botched job of the unsafe banister at the top of the stairs. The gas man leaned on it once and it nearly Snapped. He called me and practically whines about how much it would all cost! I think this man is in the wrong ‘profession’. The only way he tries to get out of this is by saying well I emailed you asking to pick the ‘wrap’ that he was going to use to cover up the rotting surface. I had no preference on this. I was not going to stay there long term. Not even if someone paid me. I was locked in the flat at one point because workmen had done something to my door. My children were locked in a bedroom because the handle had not been secured with a vital screw that prevents this from happening. I decided to move out early I was very concerned about the safety of the whole building. As I knew he was asking contractors in to do things so cheaply. I knew nothing had been done to a high standard. The oven which did not close properly was right next to the fridge freezer. It was starting to burn the cupboard. The hob did not work. I gave up telling this excuse for a landlord the problems in the end. It was completely futile. The best is yet to come. I left the flat in a good standard there were even improvements such as the banister. He sent me a illegitimate looking invoice from a dubious company with things like replace a door stop £30. Remove curtains £10. Even expecting me to pay for it to be cleaned £80. It was already clean. £90 to repaint a ceiling where there was a mark on the ceiling. I could not reach the ceiling to clean it off. He took £370 from the deposit. For work that would cost £75 maximum. The inventory people were also not a real company. The landlord was so obsessed with me he told me I was a disgrace to my own profession. I am extremely hard working in an honest profession. I do not appreciate dishonesty I have extremely standards and I don’t think he had come across anyone as assertive especially me being female. I’m so glad I am out of this. But I do feel Sorry for other people enduring this treatment. I plan to take this further and speak with the council and their trading standards Team.

(Quick note for landlords, ours had a very poor experience with Martin & Co and communicated to us several times that they were fed up and considering moving to a rival company.) BEWARE: A reasonable and professional company until the moment your tenancy ends. They will then come after your deposit with cleaning charges at 250% of market price for end of tenancy cleaning for even the most minor things. In our case they also tried to charge us £47.50 to replace a toilet seat that didn't fully "stand up on its own". Communication during this process was abysmal and muddled, which I can only guess is a tactic to confuse tenants who are unfamiliar with the process of contesting deposits. I can see from the other reviews here that this is a pattern of behaviour. Martin & Co clearly has no shame trying to fleece its loyal tenants (4+ years) of their deposits the moment they are no longer an income stream from rent. Exploitative and callous behaviour in a cost of living crisis, don't trust them with your money.

Waste of time went to a viewing, waiting outside in the wind and rain with a baby and no one turned up. fricking useless wish I could swear on this review

Had a Lovely viewing today with Martin and Co. Would highly recommend. The process is quick and easy and all staff are friendly and reliable.

Appalling lack of integrity and honesty shown by the person apparently running this office. Utterly shocking. I cannot stress enough that any student and/or parent should avoid renting with this company and go to a reputable agent in Winchester. This person's dishonesty caused havoc with my daughter and two weeks later, I am still furious. His disregard for the wellbeing of a young person is beyond belief. Avoid if you love your child.

Prior to even considering renting and moving in last May, I was told by the guy who showed me around the property that black out blinds/curtains can and will be installed. This was a huge factor for me as i work a lot of night shifts. By May 31, 2023, I logged in an official request via the letting agency's online repair service and waited. Come July, nothing happened. Rung them several times and nothing. Logged another request by July 17 and their operations manager replied but wasn't able to fix the blinds as I wasn't in the country and no one got back to me. Fast forward to Sept 8, got hold of the agency and i was advised that someone will come and fit measurements by Sept 11 and aim to fit the blinds by end of that week, 15. I waited and heard no one again, Rung them by Sept 27 and was then only advised that the landlord has just approved the job. I was then advised that blinds can finally be installed by Oct 3. I asked to move it on another day as I am on night shifts and they offered to have it done today, Oct 4 and we agreed that contractors will come after 12nn. I waited, sacrificed my whole day and sleep post my night shift and Lo and behold, its 16:46 as of this writing and Ops manager from letting agency advised me that for some reason he doesn't know, he cant reach either of the 2 guys who should have set out to do the job today!!!!!!!!! I am now advised that he will send a lady to fix the blinds tomorrow!!!! What a waste of time!!!! On another note, on September 12, there was a sudden outage in the whole property. Rung and spoke to agency and they had absolutely lacked the initiative and willpower to help us had I not asserted myself and got angry of the situation! Had i not done so, we would have been left with no power and no heating whatsoever on that day!!!! Absolutely disgusting! He/they keep on saying theyre just saying whatever they are being advised but they dont seem to bother on liaising our concerns and rightful needs as tenants. I am baffled why they are unable to give any update and why we, people who are rightfully paying rent, would need to go thru so much to have things "repaired" or even get an update of the things reported . They say they understand my frustration but what theyre doing says otherwise! Absolutely horrible service! I would not recommend this letting agency at all.

A quick thank you to the team for the seamless way the letting was handled on my flat. Im very happy with my new apartment and would recommend Martin&Co

I have had the misfortune of dealing with Martin and Co for a number of years and every time they have done nothing to assist us as renters. They are all about the money and offer little to no help when you contact them. I had a lock break on our front door once and they advised to put butter in the lock, rather than sending a locksmith out. We eventually found a locksmith at our own expense as the property was not secure. They withhold deposits and undertake work without offering itemised invoices or quotes. When I spoke to the director of the company she laughed at me down the phone and did nothing to help. Absolutely shocking. They avoid my calls and emails at all costs! AVOID

I was a student who lived in a property rented through Martin and Co. The property was mouldy, damp and just generally in terrible condition. The cardinal issue in our house was the mould. It was absolutely rife, growing in all of the bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. My housemates and I were falling ill with chesty coughs consistently throughout our time living there. Numerous emails were sent to Martin and Co with a great deal of nothing being done. House inspections were conducted every couple of months and despite the mould being very visible around the house, the only thing that Martin and Co could say to us was that we need to buy mould and mildew blaster and to just wipe down the walls. We were already doing this but it was not enough to prevent and stop the mould growing as it was clearly a problem stemming from the insulation of the house itself. The paint and walls were rotting throughout. I would advise everyone to stay away from these people. We definitely felt they treated us poorly knowing that we were young uni students. Staff at the Falmouth office have absolutely no professionalism. I have never seen such an unorganised shambolic mess in a place of work. Suffice to say we felt as though we were treated no better than pigs in a pigsty.

Nov 22 I reported damp wet walls and raining in. No action has been administered... I have sent photos etc and instructed if not happy to contact block management I requested number or E mail in order to contact... Not provided. I PHONE requesting name of Director REFUSED.. Today 23dec 2022. Area Bognor Regis

Unprofessional. Useless. Landlords should NEVER use this Agency as they only do 'ad hoc' duties for the Managment Contract and do not care about the standard of the property nor the Tenant(s). The Beeston Office (NG9) is bad!

In short, the Flat is cleaner than when I moved in 6 months ago. They issued me a cleaning bill of 192gbp for a studio/one-bedroom flat. The company that issued the bill is family related to Martin & Co. They have noted many things as dirty, but when compared to introductory inventory, they are the same/if not better now than at the start. Further, I moved into the flat 1 week after the inventory was done, so I couldn't confirm it. After I moved in i immediately sent them the photos of the things that were in terrible shape, to which they replied that they cant change it now as i have signed the first document. They are trying to get the 192gbp deposit back now. Oh also, they found one eyelash on the counter and put "Hair on the kitchen top". Joke of a company, would never recommend, will most likely go to court with this if they do not issue the full deposit back. Although, it should definitely be done as there is almost 300 negative reviews on this company. It is not even about the money but the respect (or lack of) that they are giving.

SLUM LANDLORDS - My partner & I rented a property through this company. My partner lived in the property for 7 years and I lived there 2 years. In April 2021 we reported damp in the bedroom coming from the old boiler. They did nothing. In October we found mushrooms growing behind our bed along with a large patch of mould. I contacted them and threatened to take the to tribunal if they didn't fix the issue. It was fixed in 3 days at that point. Then came our six months notice to leave. We were told not to rush but the company harassed us into leaving. We eventually moved out after three months and have now been advised we have to pay for multiple services. They have claimed that the oven needs cleaning, yet in their original documentation regarding the state of the property it is noted that the oven is in a poor state. They have claimed we broke a window yet as the property has not been maintained within the seven years rental the old wooden frames have rotted away. This has been reported to them on several occasions via the telephone and via email yet now they are trying to charge us for it. There was one instance where, for whatever reason, my partner paid the rent a handful of days later than usual yet this didn't stop one of their employees sending a vile and billious email threatening eviction for being late with the money. Not one seconds thought or consideration to there being a global pandemic and the possibility my partner, as a key worker, may have been ill with the virus. When challenged it was apparently an automated message, which if true, I would suggest someone with better grammar and ability at writing puts together all automated communications. In short, if you are looking to rent, avoid this business.

Birmingham branch has evidenced a complete lack of professionalism in dealing with clients who rent. This is reflected in the way they (don't) respond to questions and when they do they show disregard to the needs of clients. For example, I have been waiting for my deposit to be sent back after moving out (and after I have confirmed the sum I will pay for whatever maintenance needs to be done) for almost 3 months. I was asked to confirm the sum again today. It just seems that they want to keep my money for no reason. I would have appreciated some information on their part where they explain what is going on and why are they not showing the smallest intention to respect me as a client. They need to be reminded that the deposit money is actually our money and they should not hold it without any explanations. Today they said that the money cannot be kept "indefinitely", so I will get them. You decide whether this is professional or not.

If I could give no star, I would. Despite comfortably taking their 12% monthly cut, they take a hands-off approach to property management, with a complete lack of action to follow up on remedial work throughout the tenancy, failure to engage with tenants or landlord, and failure to follow the simplest instructions from the landlord, which only incurs additional costs and time to landlords. The staff shows poor competency and professionalism in liaising with and acting on the client's behalf, there is no continuity in client engagement, and the management shows a complete lack of accountability. In the event of conflict, there is no scope to speak to the management or decision-makers. Their inaction has led to thousands of pounds of damage to my new property at the end of tenancy, while Martin & Co continue to sit on the fence. Their service is appalling, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and I continue to be disappointed. There are plenty of other reputable agents locally, please do not make the same mistake I did.

Absolutely rubbish as an estate agent. And have even worse landlords on books. Lived in a house for nearly half a year nothing but issues. And nothing was done. But straight on case if was something that suited them. Nightmare getting bond back after leaving the house in lot better condition then got it. We had freshly decorated. As when moved it house was dirty from top to bottom and drawings all over. Then seen house back up for rent with original pictures on. I honestly feel sorry for the next victim they get in this property. Everyone needs to realise how much they don't care about tenants just money money money. Would highly recommend avoiding them at all costs regardless off your current situation. As it will only be worse by using them as an estate agent. Martin and co as well as landlord should be on a watch list for everyone to avoid. Hope no one has to experience what we did. Also the repairs carried out in the house was terrible. Just AVOID !!!!!!!!!

Very bad customer service, a cynical approach, misleading information, no one of the issues solved in time and still waiting!

They don't deserve one star, but 0 stars isn't allowed. Bear that in mind. Think of any problem you might have with an agency, and we've probably experienced it with Martin and Co. They are extremely rude and have attempted to extort anything possible from us, with the threat of court action. We had extensive communication with them regarding the state the flat was in when we arrived - filthy and lots of disrepair. They repaired and replaced some things after a lot of chasing and arguments, but much of it was not completed. They asked us what was left to be done, we told them, and it was never actioned. They have been extremely rude - I once phoned the office, asked who I was speaking to - as he was incredibly rude - and got the response 'Micky Mouse'. I was told by a friend that the man in the office runs the Manchester branch - but was looking to sell and I guess that's why he was so rude, because he didn't care. During co-vid, my flatmate decided to move out but I wanted to stay as I was happy with the location and price of this flat, so asked if I could find another flatmate. They said I could, then quickly said I couldn't - they made it really difficult for me; and then they claimed that the rent was in arrears as my flatmate had not paid the portion of the rent that was her responsibility - no way was I able to afford her portion! Many an email they don't respond to, and when they do, the tone is often incredibly rude. They ignore important details and then act like it is the tenants' fault. I have never been caused so much stress in regards to renting.

My girlfriend and I were due to move in together and we found we had our dream home. We had struck gold with absolutely everything we wanted and more. Couldn't be happier. Bear in mind though that our requirements are specific - furnished two bedroom in City X and this was one of two places, the other went shortly after but at the time that was of no concern. Process of acquiring access to the property was easy enough. Even with COVID the service was adequate although a little confusing. There were lots of inaccuracies in emails which gave a non-professional vibe but nothing too concerning. Then, after signing contracts and everything, just ONE WEEK before we were due to move in, the estate agent phone up saying "LL has had a change of circumstance" and the property is no longer available. They refuse to accept any blame, saying that until we moved in the contract was not legal/enforced, meaning that they could have cancelled on us right until the minute we walked through the front door and felt like they could have gotten away with it. Now they say it was the landlord's situation that changed, but the fact that they estate agents haven't even consulted us until after they returned our deposit we feel was disgraceful. We had no warning this was coming; just boom one day "oh sorry you don't have a house with one week to go". Needless to say we were angry. I took time off work to move in, my girlfriend cannot start a new job she had all lined up, she also was due to have a serious medical appointment in City X which she now cannot honour because where she lives atm in City Y is too far away. COVID has meant my gf and I have spent the last 4 months isolated from each other which will now be extended further no doubt. We need to move in by September or we will have to start living in hotels. We are back to square one. But the worst thing is that there are no other homes in City X available that meet our requirements, we either now have to buy furniture which we can't afford or take a 1 bedroom place which is too small. Martin & Co have offered us no support, not even a proper apology or a sympathetic tone on the phone. They showed no care for us in this difficult time. They could have at least warned us that this might happen, for a 'change in circumstance' this drastic would surely have been something coming, unless the place has literally burnt down or something. Not impressed, but also glad in a way that we may have escaped a bad situation. Looking on reviewcentre.com I can see that 341/363 reviews are negative, and a similar story on other websites. This was going to be our first home together, and the first time moving for both of us, apart from university halls once before. Not a great start and we're now going to be terrified for life of estate agents, especially Martin and Co.