Trusted Agent profile
★★★★★
931 reviews across 2 offices and 2 platforms
Countryside Homes Home Counties South has two offices, in Paddock Wood and Dartford. Together they have 931 reviews on two platforms, rated 3.3 out of 5 overall.
Countryside Homes Home Counties South's two offices, most reviewed first. Each has its own page.
Newest first, from every platform, with the office each review is about. First names only.
1/5
TrustpilotBEWARE
Through cost cutting and greed Countryside Properties have built our property into a fire trap, for which I am now liable for the costs of remediation. So bad is the situation that can't even tell what they built our property from and have to cut large segments out of the walls. Don't take my word for it do your research at #endourcladdingscandal BEWARE
5/5
TrustpilotCountryside properties FTB & HTB loan
My wife and I have been on the hunt for a house for ages, being first time buyers we were a bit dubious to new builds and honestly had always ticked that little box on Rightmove or Zoopla saying ‘do not show New Build’ we were in the process of buying a regular house when we went into the first lockdown..valuations stopped and our mortgage company pulled our 95% mortgage. Devastated, my wife persuaded me to just go and look at some new build houses..which I reluctantly did! I can honestly say we went to see some belway and other new build developments but when we walked into the countryside show home I was wow’ed! I fell In love and the sales office were so helpful and not at all condescending (like we had experienced previously) and answered a million questions for us..we decided to reserve the same day and with the HTB equity loan the 95% mortgage wasn’t an issue. We completed on our home on Friday 30th October 2020 and we are so happy, honestly the girls in the sales office at Abbotsfield are two of the nicest people and genuinely get excited about everything with you! I can’t thank Angie and Lisa enough for everything! You are a credit to countryside properties and if it wasn’t for covid I would love to give you both A massive hug and thank you for helping our dream of owning our first home come true!
Hi Steph, thank you for taking the time to leave your review - and pleased to hear you have had such a great experience. We have passed this on internally and shared your feedback with the team.
2/5
Trustpilotmy little story
If you are reading this post, then you are most probably looking for reviews on Countryside Properties. You may or may not want to take what I have to say into consideration.My partner and I bought a property with CS at the end of 2018. Our experience was initially as you would expect from someone who is looking to sell you their product. We had a few minor issues, but the real nightmare began after we had moved in for about a year.We woke up one day in February to an email from CS stating that out fence has been wrongly placed. This was followed by a letter from them. There wasn't any apology or courtesy call. Just an email along the lines of “we will move your fence”. When we asked for clarification in the form of a surveyor’s report showing the discrepancies in the measurement. We were sent a forwarded email and told that that was good enough. This email only came after multiple attempts requesting for one. Our queries as to how this situation would be rectified was ignored along with any concerns we had (the surveyor’s drawings had not include the entire length of our fence). Since the occurrence of this issue till now, none of our concerns or questions were addressed. CS has essentially bulldozed their way through to resolve this issue to their benefit. Communication from CS was very poor. There was very little communication and any communication was very uninformative and dismissive. An example of this would be when we received an email on Friday at 5pm stating they would be over on the next Monday to sort out the fence. I do not understand how they could expect us to sort out leave over the weekend at a drop of a hat. Oh, those questions we had, still not resolved. It’s a case of we are doing this whether you like it or not. Please bear in mind that we have been in communication with the Head of Customer Service throughout all this time and this is the level of communication we got. Work has begun and all the issues and concerns which we raised prior to this has reared its heads with no solution from CS.My partner and I understand that there will be an element of human error (like most things) but the way CS tried to rectify a mistake they have made (and have admitted to) is appalling. If this is the way CS's head of customer service manages a mistake they have made and admitted to one can only imagine how they would respond to other teething issues that comes with a new home.Edit:1) formatting and grammatical errors.2) Update: The builders told us that they had to straighten the fence (again, not mentioned to us). They have removed my neighbour’s fence without his permission, and he is now left without a fence. They have moved our fence beyond the measurements we were told. Four houses are now left without a fence. When we tried to contact someone at CS, nobody seemed to have any idea as to what was going on. Oh and the Head of Customer Service was on holiday. After a desperate 20 calls only did she responded and said someone would get in touch with us.
Hello, we are sorry to hear you are not experiencing the customer service we would expect. Please email group@cpplc.com if you would like to discuss this further.
1/5
TrustpilotOverpriced. Awful quality. Countless issues.
Overpriced, awful quality. Countless issues. So disappointing for the amount we pay. Builders have their heads in the clouds, most probably don’t realise they’re building people’s homes. Heard one story that one developments gas engineer didn’t have a license and a house had a gas leak. I’ve had over 10 plumbing issues with my property. Had a severe water leak 4 weeks after moving in where all the ground floor laminate needed replacing along with kitchen units. Issues with the showers, both toilets. Kitchen tap burst causing yet more water damage yet managers of the building site will come to your property say it’s just “teething issues” and they put “a lot of thought and effort” in to building the properties when realistically, they won’t care as long as you’re signing on that line to hand over a crazy amount of money. Then I guarantee countryside customer service will respond with the same response to everyone else. They’ve got it good though, they look so professional on paper, but trust me, when you’ve lived in one of their properties, you’ll understand it’s not as good as it should be. By any stretch of the imagination. Do your research. I wish I had.
Hello, we are sorry to hear you are not experiencing the customer service we would expect. If you would like to discuss this further please email group@cpplc.com.
5/5
TrustpilotExemplary Service at Dutton Fields - Site Manager and Team
I have already written a review on the sales team at the Countryside Dutton Fields site however I needed to do the same for the Site Manager Chris. There is always worry moving into a new build and some of the horror stories you hear of them being thrown up but this isn’t the case at Dutton Fields. On moving in Chris and his team have gone above and beyond to rectify any issues although I must add, very small issues! He is obviously an extremely busy man but he cares and will make himself available to ensure things are sorted. He’s a credit to the Countryside team, what an array of staff you have at this site, literally customer service at its best!!
Thank you for your review Gemma, we are really pleased to hear your positive feedback. We have passed on your comments to the team.
1/5
TrustpilotPay top money for awful cheap product!
If your happy to pay top dollar for a property where they will leave you with no heating for 9 months, radiators hanging off the walls, walls going mouldier and mouldier by the week and fit broken trims just to avoid doing a proper job then countryside are for you 🙂 They will use cowboys who aren’t to be trusted to fit things and then leave you in the dark once your money is handed over.
Hello, we are sorry to hear you are not experiencing the customer service we would expect. If you would like to discuss this further please email group@cpplc.com.
5/5
TrustpilotDutton Fields, The Final Months To Completion
Well who could have predicted what was happen after we had reserved our Plot in February'20 and my last review, thats right Covid 19.So from an original completion target of May/June'20, it was delayed till the 30th September'20.Throughout the delay, we had lost our first buyer, then our buyers had lost theirs, but both the Sales Consultants at the Dutton Fields sales office Annabel and Sian stayed positive and very helpful throughout a very stressfull period. No matter what questions or queries we had, both Annabel and Sian were there to answer or find the answers we needed.Sadly Covid-19 had taken away some of the delight and excitment towards the completion date, but again we were warmly wlecomed into our new home by both Annabel and Sian.The first couple of weeks have been hetic with building work still ongoing, but again the Site managers have been a pleasure to talk to and been very helpful and curtious along with no hassle in recifying a few minor snag issues around the house.All in All todate we are delighted with our new countryside home
Hello, thank you for taking the time to leave your review, we are really pleased to hear you have had such a good experience with us. We have passed your feedback onto the team.
5/5
TrustpilotFive star service, highly recommended.
Just wanted to say what an amazing experience it was dealing with Penny and Vicky at the Coppenhall site in Crewe. Out of the several other builders I have visited over the past few months Penny in particular made Countryside stand out by far as the best experience visiting the site. The first class service also carried through to the options and run down process carried out by Vicky. A perfect balance of attentiveness but also giving you the space and time needed to make important decisions. The pair were professional, knowledgeable and understanding throughout. Can’t thank them enough. Even with the recent COVID pandemic it was completely stress free.
Hi Tomas, thank you for taking the time to leave your review, we are really pleased to hear you have had such a good experience with us and have passed your feedback onto the team.
5/5
TrustpilotFantasic service from start to finish
From our intial showings and all throughout the purchasing process Countryside were excellent. It made the whole process far less stressful than it could have been. Our development is lovely and has been finished to a very high standard.
Thank you for your review Henry, we are really pleased to hear your positive feedback. We have passed on your comments to the team.
1/5
TrustpilotThis company are beginning a new…
This company are beginning a new development in Paddock Wood in Kent, building on a flood plain. The first thing that they have done is completely RIP out and destroy an entire line of ancient oak trees which were home to dormice which are supposed to be protected. This has been picked up by the national press but nothing will bring back all the trees destroyed.
Hello, we are sorry to hear you are not experiencing the customer service we would expect. If you would like to discuss this further please email group@cpplc.com.
1/5
TrustpilotRacist
Currently sub contacted to cointryside, suspended one of there top labours today, for something he didn't do.To be honest I think the country side management profiled him because he was black!
5/5
TrustpilotExcellent!! (North West development)
Excellent!!My partner and I now have our first beautiful home with Countryside and Rachael, Josh, Phil and the team have made our experience smooth, easy and special. Despite the covid impact they have reassured us along the way and ensure our move have been as simple as possible. We would highly recommend Countryside properties for their stunning homes, warm and welcoming staff and excellent customer service. Thank you :-) x
Hello, thank you for taking the time to leave your review, we are really pleased to hear you have had such a good experience with us and have passed your feedback onto the team
1/5
TrustpilotCountryside Property Scandal
Countryside Property marketing blurb:We believe that where we live matters. We're passionate about creating places where people love to live, that deliver enduring value and where people feel a true sense of belonging. From the character of the homes we build to the planning of environments and considerate use of materials, our creative approach to placemaking ensures we have a positive impact on all those who live in and around our developments. With over 60 years’ experience we have a reputation for high quality design and build, sound governance and good management practices. Our expertise has been recognised with numerous awards, including Large Housebuilder of the year (2017) at the Housebuilder awards. We create places people love.My experience with Countryside:“Creating places with enduring value”, The Countryside Development I now live in is valued at 0 because of the materials they chose for our balconies.“Creating places where people feel a true sense of belonging”, The only feeling I have at the moment is a sense of fear for living in an unsafe building that Countryside refuses to make safe again.“Considerate use of materials”, Clearly not, given the mess we are now in because of our timber balconies.“Sound Governance and good management practices”, Many developers, like Countryside, have been caught in this on-going cladding scandal. However, unlike some developers who, as responsible and ethical builders, have agreed to fund any necessary remediation to make their development safe, Countryside, as far as I know, is not interested in taking any responsibility. This is just one example of my experience with Countryside. There are many other negative ones (including but not limited to the Ground Rent scandal which other reviewers have mentioned).I believe those 5 stars customers will quickly realise who they are dealing with. It is only a matter of time.
1/5
TrustpilotDisgusting Company - hopefully karma will come back to haunt them
Sold a fire trap of a flat. Bit of style, absolutely no substance. Use cheap materials that will cost you much more in the long run.All flats in the building have failed an EWS1 fire safety inspection which means all flats in the building cannot be sold or remortgaged and are facing thousands of pounds in bills to put right fire safety issues that we had no say in designing or constructing. Can't make it up.Obviously Countryside are being no help and the warranty doesn't mean anything. We're all having to spend hours, days, weeks, months writing to various departments, councils, government etc etc to try get a resolution.To sum up - AVOID AT ALL COSTS - life is way too short to be dealing with types like these.
2/5
TrustpilotBeaulieu Chelmsford - Poor landscape design
Their house interior is good, however the biggest downside of their design in Beaulieu Chelmsford is when you open the door of the house, the road is literally on your doorstep! There is very little pavement or separation/footpath between your house and the road, you might get hit at the front of your door! And you will be walking next to a driving car when you walk home, for this reason their houses landscape is very poorly design! It doesn't take long for them to plan a good internal floorplan usually you just copy and paste the internal house floorplan onto every house, it is the design outside that matters and it takes time in the design planning which these builders and developers often just overlook, they lack and fail to look into what architects would look.
We are saddened to read of your experience at Beaulieu. Would it be possible that you could share some further details and contact information through the group@cpplc.com email address please? We would be keen to discuss this with you and look to best improve your experience.
1/5
TrustpilotAvoid at all costs!!!
In simple terms - a bunch of greedy and unhelpful people, leaving You with their problems. Especially when it comes to fire safety of the building.
1/5
TrustpilotNice glossy brochures...beware
Nice glossy brochures.. But it basically stop there. From fleecing buyers with abusive doubling ground rent, and refusing to remediate to the situation untill pushed hard by owners, councils, public opinion, to not owning to their mistake when faced with non fire safety compliant cladding... Avoid.
1/5
TrustpilotBeware of Countryside properties…
Buying my first flat from Countryside has been nothing but a headache from the get go. From their pushy sales team, adding pressure to sign contracts quickly and signing up to overpriced insurance with hidden fees. Then the whole ground rent doubling fiasco and now Countryside distancing themselves from the EWS1 regulations. The worst experience of my life so far......my advice would be to never buy a property from these con artists.
1/5
TrustpilotUnethical and greed!
All those 5 stars are based on sales, when comes crunch time no one will be there to take responsibility, and act with ethic doing what is right for the leaseholders!Simple. Stay away from countryside!
1/5
TrustpilotDo not make this mistake!
I can honestly say I will never repeat the mistake of purchasing a property from Countryside! Our Countryside block of flats -Silverpoint - has failed an EWS1 fire safety inspection which means we cannot sell, cannot remortgage and are facing thousands of pounds in bills to put right fire safety issues that we had no say in designing or constructing.Countryside has been very quick to wash their hands of this issue and the NHBC warranty is proving to be useless - we've been left to fend for ourselves and face bills of around £10,000 each to put this right.Do Not fall for their luxurious showrooms! We’ve also had issues with ground rents and now the building is unsafe!
1/5
TrustpilotUnethical
Beware. Countryside’s website boasts a great deal about Corporate Social Responsibility and ethical practices. Don’t even bother reading their spin. In my development, a flagship regeneration scheme at Silverpoint N18 and built in 2015, Countryside pressured buyers to use Countryside’s own solicitors; their solicitors drafted seriously onerous lease terms which included doubling ground rent provisions. As a final act, Countryside sold the freehold behind the backs of leaseholders to an offshore investment company. I guess because they hadn’t already made enough money from the build. Residents later spent 18 mths and lost sweat and tears battling to change the doubling ground rents (which had made the flats unsellable). Eventually, the terms were changed so that ground rents increase with inflation instead (still onerous, increases for no services provided but just to line the pockets of the faceless directors of an offshore fund). Now we discover that the flats are unsellable (yet again) as they’ve failed all lenders’ EWS1 cert requirements due to timber balconies (roof, decking and walls). The costs of remediation have landed with the leaseholders. Countryside say they were within regulation at the time and have no legal obligation to remedy the fire hazard. Leaseholders can’t sell, can’t re-mortgage, can’t secure a new fixed rate product when our current ones come to an end. That is is the nature of the EWS1. We also can’t afford the thousands (per flat) to rectify the issue. Anybody thinking of buying a Countryside property: run for the mountains, run like the hounds of hell. If, on the remote off-chance, Countryside can see their way to offering us materially useful assistance in this matter, it is my solemn promise that I will update my review. But currently I am feeling quite hopeless about the situation.
1/5
TrustpilotThis developer is a disgrace for…
This developer is a disgrace for washing their hands of a development they build only 5 years ago. It has failed an ESW1 fire safety check and flat owners now face bills into thousands of pounds to make the building safe and to even be able to remortgage! Buyer beware
1/5
TrustpilotCountryside end our cladding scandal
This developer is a disgrace for washing their hands of a development they build only 5 years ago. It has failed an ESW1 fire safety check and flat owners now face bills into thousands of pounds to make the building safe and to even be able to remortgage! Buyer beware.
1/5
TrustpilotCountryside flats - failed ESW1
Our five year old Countryside Properties block of flats Silverpoint N18 has just failed an EWS1 fire safety inspection - this means we cannot sell, cannot remortgage and are facing thousands of pounds in bills to put right fire safety issues that we had no say in designing or constructing.Countryside tell us they aren't responsible and the NHBC warranty is proving to be useless. We’ve had nothing but grief here, first we were caught up in doubling ground rents that we had to battle to resolve. And now we’re stuck in homes with balconies with unsafe cladding and face bills of around £10,000 each to put right. Buyer beware - despite all the shiny showrooms, reassuring words about how good new builds are and friendly salespeople, you could be in my shoes, five short years after the biggest purchase of your life.
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Paddock Wood has the most, with 919 reviews rated 3.3 out of 5, followed by Dartford with 108.
The two Countryside Homes Home Counties South offices, by town:
