Legal and General Homes Cotswolds estate agents in Didcot and Highworth

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Westmarq Surveyors (Formerly Legal & General Surveying Services), Very Disappointing Experience

I recently had a very disappointing experience with Westmarq Surveyors, formerly known as Legal & General Surveying Services, which rebranded in September 2026. Having dealt with numerous surveyors and mortgage valuations over many years as a property investor, I found their approach unnecessarily intrusive, overly rigid and lacking reasonable commercial judgement. During the inspection of a small flat, the surveyor was opening kitchen cabinets and cupboards, to the frustration of the occupier. He also raised an issue regarding a small, non-structural internal stud partition installed for privacy, suggesting that landlord’s consent was required. While I understand surveyors must identify relevant risks, I felt the attention given to this minor alteration was disproportionate. Even more concerning was the valuation. Despite referencing comparable properties at approximately £200,000, the surveyor valued the flat at only £150,000. In my opinion, this substantial discrepancy was not adequately explained or justified. I subsequently became aware that Westmarq had previously operated under the Legal & General Surveying Services name. I believe customers should be aware of this connection when researching the company’s history and previous reviews. A new name should not prevent customers from assessing a business’s previous track record. In my experience, the service fell well below the standard I would expect from a professional surveying firm. Rather than applying balanced judgement and focusing on material valuation risks, the inspection appeared unnecessarily focused on relatively minor matters, resulting in avoidable complications.

Verasis · 13 October 2026 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

RUN away

⭐ 1/5, Legal & General income protection: protection you may discover is worthless when you actually need it My experience with Legal & General has destroyed my confidence in its income-protection products. When I became seriously ill and needed the cover I had relied upon, L&G ultimately terminated my claim. I submitted evidence, followed the required processes and raised detailed questions about the basis of its decision. Yet L&G has now declared the matter “closed” and expressly stated that it will not respond further, even though I remain firmly of the view that important points have not been properly answered. I am not concealing the fact that the Financial Ombudsman Service did not uphold my complaint. However, that does not change my personal experience of L&G’s conduct or make its handling of the matter feel fair, transparent or acceptable. An Ombudsman outcome should not prevent customers from describing honestly how an insurer treated them. I have a professional background in audit, legal and regulatory compliance. I understand the importance of evidence, policies, procedures and accurate disclosure. I approached this claim carefully and methodically. What shocked me was how exposed a customer can become when an insurer decides to challenge or terminate a claim, and how difficult it can be to obtain complete, direct answers once the insurer has settled upon its position. Income protection is purchased for the moment when illness has already left someone physically, emotionally and financially vulnerable. That is precisely when an insurer’s integrity, transparency and willingness to engage matter most. In my case, I felt I encountered defensiveness, finality and refusal to engage meaningfully, not the protection and reassurance I believed I had purchased. My warning to potential customers is simple: do not judge this type of policy by its marketing, its monthly premium or the reputation of the brand. Examine the exclusions, disclosure requirements, medical-wording provisions and termination clauses in forensic detail. Ask yourself what resources you would have to challenge the insurer if it stopped paying when you were seriously unwell. My warning to existing policyholders is even more urgent: retain every application, adviser communication, medical record, telephone recording, policy document and piece of correspondence. Check now that L&G’s records accurately reflect everything disclosed when the policy was taken out. Do not assume that paying premiums means the insurer will interpret matters in your favour when a substantial claim arises. Based on my experience, I could never recommend Legal & General income protection to a friend, colleague or family member. The real test of an insurer is not how professionally it sells a policy, it is how it behaves when the customer becomes ill and the insurer is required to honour the protection that customer believed they had bought. For me, when that test came, L&G failed completely. I paid for peace of mind and was left fighting the very company that was supposed to protect me.

Abbey · 4 September 2026 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Recently purchased a bungalow

Recently purchased a bungalow through L&G and the team have been amazing help and support and Natalie who I have been working with mostly couldn't have made the process any easier or less stressful. I can not recommend them high enough.

Chris · 19 August 2026 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

DO NOT BUY THROUGH L&G!

DO NOT BUY THROUGH L&G. My experience with L&G Affordable Homes has been extremely poor. Despite repeated reports for repairs and a formal complaint reaching stage 2 L&G have left our building with no working intercom for 2 years. The front door has not locked for 3 months meaning our insurance is invalid, parcels are stolen and anti social behaviour. I also made a formal Section 22 request under the landlords and tenants act. L&G failed to respond, extended the deadline (after the deadline passed) then missed their own extended deadline. In its own Stage 2 complaint response, L&G acknowledged that the delay was unreasonable, that responsibility rested with L&G and that its oversight and communication had been inadequate. The response was issued on the basis that remedial works were underway and that certain matters had been resolved. However, the position I observed on site did not reflect this. We still have no locking entrance, overflowing bins and a huge lack of accountability or even communication for L&G. They promise updates and never provide them. Don't bother trying to call them as a tenant, calls get transferred and cut off. These are not minor cosmetic complaints. They concern access security, waste management, communication and statutory rights to inspect service charge information. Residents should not have to pursue repeated complaints and deadlines to obtain action on basic building management responsibilities. What concerns me most is the gap between the assurances provided in writing and the conditions that remain at the property. Based solely on my own documented experience, I have no confidence in L&G Affordable Homes’ management of this development or its complaints process. I would strongly advise anyone considering an L&G Affordable Homes property to ask detailed questions about building security, service charge transparency, contractor oversight and how unresolved complaints are handled before committing. DO NOT BUY

Tyler · 20 July 2026 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Bought my shed ownership home L&G,

Bought my shared ownership home through L&G, Natalie made the whole process very easy kept me updated at all times and generally the whole experience was stressfree

Dan · 11 June 2026 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

I did a HTB RICS survey report with HTB RICS survey

I did a HTB RICS survey report with this company through another third party called FP Surveying, the service was great, and the communication afterwards due to HTB team requesting a few additional commentary had been very quick, I would recommend especially if this is related to Help to Buy scheme.

Cecilia · 26 May 2026 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Jonathan C was brilliant

Jonathan C was brilliant, he was super efficient at getting back to me with the surveys report, and explained all the points in detail and broke them down for me so I understood

Tom · 21 December 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Didcot

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Service worse than Ryanair...

Can't remember such poor service from a company - they take months to respond to any query and you effectively can't phone - would you sit on hold for more than 45 minutes? People shouldn't need 6 months of savings to cover them until L&G get off their backside to pay a pension you're owed.

Definitive · 20 October 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Didcot

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Rating only, no written review.

Matej · 13 October 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Can’t fault Cala homes, lovely house 10/10

Richard · 1 September 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Rating only, no written review.

Dave · 5 August 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Great at first but

I paid for the digital house survey of a property I want to buy. To be honest the all process was very straightforward and easy-at first.Once I paid for the survey online.The legal and general surveys contacted the house agency.I got an email which said the date of the visit and what to expect afterwards. The survey reports came very fast which I was pleasantly surprised. I was told that after my report was sent, I ll speak with the person that did the visit and answer any questions I had.I never received a call and after waiting for over a week I decided to call . After I contacted them I was told that the person has gone for annual leave and the could not answer my questions since the person that visited the property was on leave.I had to wait further 10 days.That cost me significant delays .After 14 days I got a message that the have tried to contact me multiple times but that I have not responded.No one tried to call me or email me.I called the customer service and they gave me the contact number of the person that did the survey ,I tried calling that number but no respond. I had to pay another survey for the issue the pointed it would have been helpful if the had answered the questions I had Very unprofessional I’m totally disappointed of the service and I will not be recommending it

Christiana · 29 July 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Barclays instructed Legal & General to…

Barclays instructed Legal & General to carry out the property valuation. L&G contacted my agent on 27th May and scheduled the appointment for 5th June, already a considerable delay. Since then, despite it now being 13th June, we are still waiting for the valuation report. Legal & General has failed to meet the standard 5-day SLA, and even after multiple chases by Barclays and ourselves calling daily, there has been no update or meaningful response. The complete lack of communication and accountability has made this one of the worst and most frustrating experiences I've encountered in a property process.For an organisation of your size and reputation, this level of service is extremely disappointing. I urge you to review this case and take internal action to improve your process, responsiveness, and transparency going forward.

Kavita · 13 June 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Rating only, no written review.

Jan · 28 May 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We have had the most amazing experience while buying our first house! From the very beginning until the completion. Jane, Lorraine and Tony were always very helpful and supportive and went above and beyond to assist us. The house has been built to a high standard and we enjoy Cross Trees Park development! Highly recommended!

Adam · 18 May 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

The Part exchange process is nothing like cala describe it is a Stressful and unpleasant experience more than the usual buying and selling process. Told many things that weren't true through the whole process. And moving in to a new build isnt any less stressful then buying an old house. The Floors, windows and doors were filthy. Long list of snags. Gardens have drainage problems. Back garden like a pond. Have no patience left with this company avoid. Cala phase 2

Chris · 20 March 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Avoid

They never even bother to respond. It's worse than dealing with the council. Avoid buying houses from them. REPLY 1 Dear L&G, please ask Danielle from Southern Housing, who manages your properties, about my identity and how many times she and my conveyancer have written to you on my behalf. REPLY 2 I just sent it to the email address you provided here.

Elena · 7 March 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Fabulous

The explaination about the propery Supportive staff

Sudheer · 28 January 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Didcot

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Rating only, no written review.

Tanoop · 25 January 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Didcot

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

The company are very welcoming and…

The company are very welcoming and friendly. Ready to answer all the questions and demonstrating all what you need to know

Joyce · 20 January 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Whole team are incredible.

Fantastic experience. We reserved.

William · 14 January 2025 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Impressive sales and customer service team

We have been very impressed with the sales team and the customer care team since we moved in to our new build in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. Abby has been very quick to respond to any problems we encountered since moving in, and Simon has been such a lovely guy turning up on time to fix the problems. We are very happy in our lovely new home.

Lynda · 11 November 2024 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Lily is so great doing her job

Lily is so great doing her job. Cristal clear explanations. Patience and helpful in the house viewing. I was also supported by Nikki, another really good seller. The whole experience is a 10/10. The team is supportive. The visitor centre building is a plus needed, so attractive for customers.

Simone · 2 November 2024 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Highworth

★★★★★ 3/5

Google

Everything you'd expect from overpriced, substandard new homes slapped together

Steve · 27 October 2024 · Legal and General Homes Cotswolds Didcot