Every review we hold for the Bishopston office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
★★★★★ 1/5
TrustpilotReally confused
Really confused! As a renter we are getting replacement tenants for a property we rent and it's been really frustrating communicating with Ocean. I emailed our portfolio manager over a week ago asking for clarification on fees they want to charge of £300 plus VAT per person for a change of tenants. All the guidance I read says that since the changes to the Tenants Fees Act we can be charged £50 for a change to the tenancy and it should be capped at that. Anything more and the agents should provide a breakdown of the fees to check they are not unreasonable. Over a week later we have now received the breakdown and we're being quoted over £400 for replacement tenants. Am I right to feel that this is not quite right? Part of the fee is credit check and referencing - I thought it was landlords who had to pay this now? And they're charging £200 for a change to the contract when it says in the guidance from the government "Where a tenant requests a change of sharer on a joint tenancy, you are entitled to charge them for any costs incurred for amending the tenancy agreement up to £50 (including VAT), or for any reasonable costs incurred if these are higher than £50. It's so slow getting a response from them I'm really disappointed and disillusioned.
Louise · 8 August 2019
Agent replied · 20 September 2023
Hi Louise, please accept our apologies for the delay in communication, as mentioned directly, the Lettings and management Director has been made aware of your case and will be contacting you as soon as possible today to discuss and clarify all points raised. Please be assured Ocean will be following all guidance & legislation completely. We look forward to resolving all matters imminently, Ocean
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotDebra Bisley was amazing and organised…
Debra Bisley was amazing and organised for me to go into my local Ocean estate agents to sign the documents as my e-mails had been hacked on that day and I was running out of time. Amazing. Also thank you to the manager of the portishead branch who put up with a frazzled me and my two grandchildren on the day I went in to sign!
Nadine · 12 May 2018
★★★★★ 1/5
TrustpilotOcean Letting & Property Management.
Ocean Letting & Property Management.See previous 1 star review April 2019 to which I did not receive the response as promised in Ocean´s reply. This review refers to Ocean Lettings / Property Management, Fishponds Road, Bristol. I rented my house in BS32 through Ocean 5 years ago. The sales team in Bradley Stoke are excellent - unfortunately, their colleagues who handle maintenance and tenant issues during a let are a shambolic team of uncoordinated workers who need constant reminders and corrections to get the simplest task completed. I am due to take back my property on 19th August 2019 as per end of oficial Ocean contract. I wanted the property back beforehand but was told it would be almost impossible and I would need to compensate tenant, I declined but made it clear end of contract was deadline. I was assured by Jon Bryant Director at Fishponds that this would be handled. I have had more than 5 account managers in the last 5 years, most of them unable to do the basics. I nudged the latest account manager last week to check termination is being progressed as agreed. No reply. I nudged again today copying director and team leader. I received a shocking email that said the agreed termination date could not be met and that it was beyond Ocean´s control. I fail to see how a business such as Ocean cannot be held accountable for gross negligence and failure to do what is contractually stipulated and promised. I am now pursuing formal complaint channels and have pushed problem back to Ocean to remove tenant as per contract end and find tenant alternative accommodation if required at Ocean´s cost. The stance of Ocean seems to be do nothing, when landlord complains, make excuses and push problem back to Landlord. DO NOT DEAL WITH OCEAN UNLESS YOU WANT TO MANAGE THEM AND YOUR OWN PROPERTY AND PAY OCEAN FOR THE PRIVILEGE. Update following Ocean reply 22/7/2029. As I previously stated, Ocean are now saying they cannot enforce the termination date that I carefully confirmed and discussed with Jon Bryant. Therefore the whole contract must be invalid if one part cannot be enforced. Ocean again are trying to sidestep their responsibilities and blame others, in this case the tenant and the council. Note also that I was not kept informed of these problems, only the fact that I had to chase a ¨non-response¨ from yet another useless account manager brought this problem to light. Maybe Ocean thought it would just go away! Ocean are also saying that the tenant will likely not move out. What is the point of Ocean, they just take money and cause problems. Be warned, Ocean will not be able to help a landlord with good maintenance nor with upholding the contract and they will try to hide behind everyone else. Dreadful, weak, frustrating management of a simple letting. I intend to seek compensation from Ocean as they deserve to be financially penalised as well as losing further clients.
Christopher · 24 July 2019
Agent replied · 20 September 2023
Thank you for your comments. On this occasion we felt it correct to publicly publish today's direct reply to you in full. From Director of Ocean lettings & management - I understand these situations are stressful and I apologize on behalf of the tenant and the Council for causing this inconvenience.To help you understand the situation I thought it would be best to bullet point the facts and what has happened. We have served the correct notice as per attached web links show https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/809058/Form_6A_INTERACTIVE__1_.pdf & https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/805537/Notes_to_Form_6A.pdfAs this is a prescribed document we cannot change it as it has come from Central Government and if we do change anything it will be then invalid and can’t be reserved for another 4 months.Our governing body and other industry bodies have contacted Government advising that the wording is incorrect and gives the wrong impression to the tenants. I have also added a screen grab of the web page showing the wording which reflects our document below.What is slightly worrying is that South Gloucestershire Council have advised the tenants to stay put (even thou they know the document) as per the email that Jacob sent you from Elaine Clifton.I have attached the full email from Elaine for your perusal. So unfortunately your tenants have gone to the council seeking advice after we have advised them (15th July 2019) that they couldn’t stay on for a few extra days and the notice will still stand. As if we had advised that they stay on, we would have created a new tenancy agreement and the Sec 21 would have been invalid.To say that this part has been mismanaged in my opinion is unjust and we have done everything by the book to make sure that you were not protected. We always give you the correct advice and not jeopardise your legal standing as per our conversations before Christmas when you wanted to serve notice on the tenants during their fixed term tenancy. Moving forward, if the tenants do not move out (I suspect they will not) then you will be able to make reasonable charges for this on their deposit. These will include the charge for the days they are residing in the property, your costs if you have to stay in elsewhere. You have left a Trust pilot review, which is your choice but I do believe that in this case it is incorrect due to not having the full facts and so we will be responding to this in full. So I hope you can now see that we have acted upon your instructions and it is the council who you may want to address this directly to as they have given the advice to the tenant not to move out. These are the people who you are paying Council Tax too. Unfortunately as I have mentioned to you previously, the law is still heavily in favour of the tenants. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotGreat local service..with a smile!
If your buying or selling with Ocean in North Somerset do not hesitate to use the in house services of these guys, they know exactly what they are doing but also know how to overcome issues that arise with little fuss and a positive attitude.Dealt with Charley in the Portishead Bristol branch and she was charming, polite and very knowledgeable.Would highly recommend their services.
Steve · 19 July 2019
★★★★★ 4/5
TrustpilotOcean conveyancing a good local team
Ocean conveyancing recently acted for both my sale and purchase.I found all the team to be friendly and polite. Communication was good and they responded promptly to both email and phone calls, offering to drop paperwork off at the house when it needed to be resigned.The team were very focused on ensuring that all legal and statutory requirements of the sale process were accurate. The only reason for giving four stars was the proof of funds process for my purchase was rather protracted. It would have helped to understand at the start what evidence was acceptable.I particularly liked the Hoowla app, which enabled me to track the process and upload documents very easily.Finally, as their office is located at the Portishead branch of Ocean it was helpful to be able to speak to them face to face and to drop off signed paperwork.All in all a very positive and stress free experience. I would definitely recommend them. Thank you.
Andrea · 28 January 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotExcellent local letting agent
Excellent local letting agent, a pleasure dealing with them throughout the process. Alun and Lily were very helpful and always very quick to reply!
G · 2 July 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotI found everyone in the office very…
I found everyone in the office very helpful. In my situation of a parents family home being sold and therefore being a very sensitive time the staff were very patient, understanding and extremely helpful, especially Tanya.
S · 26 October 2023
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotCan recommend
Good service, good advice, good communication, Lauren was diligent on making sure that the process kept moving ahead.
Julian · 9 October 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotEverything went very smoothly from the…
Everything went very smoothly from the day we saw the house for the first time to the day we have been given the keys of the property. Communication was way above than we were expecting to be. Thank you to everyone involved in our process of buy the house and made everything to move so quickly.
Efimov · 21 September 2021
★★★★★ 1/5
TrustpilotAwful customer service
I wouldn't bother listing with these people - as a cash buyer I had a terrible experience trying to view a property. Sent multiple enquiries to make viewings on Rightmove, no one bothered to reply. Then I called up, got put on hold and eventually they hung up on me. Finally got through again and didn't seem customer focused at all and couldn't arrange viewings at suitable times. I'm a cash buyer looking for multiple properties - seems strange they wouldn't bother delivering even basic customer service.
David · 6 June 2019
Agent replied · 20 September 2023
We are sorry your experience has fallen short of our usual high standards. As you can see from the many positive reviews for all Ocean offices, both Google & Trust Pilot, we make every effort to provide the best service possible. The Sales Director for this office in now investigating the circumstances of your online request & call. It is possible that your comments to being oversees had led to some confusion, which has understandably caused frustrations for yourself. Please be assured we would certainly like to help with your property enquiries, feel free to email customercare@oceanhome.co.uk if we can assist. The Sales Director will be in touch directly following his investigation.Assuring you of our best intentions at all times, Ocean.
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotEstate Agents who care
Adam, Julie and the team were fantastic. They were supportive, very communicative and did everything they could to ensure the best sale for us. They were always willing to answer questions and give guidance when asked.
Patricia · 21 October 2023
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotSpot on!
We had a very positive experience with our house sale and purchase of a new home with Ocean. The valuation was spot on, and communication between all parties was clear and efficient. The process was relatively painless, but inevitably stressful, so thanks to Jordan and Laura, and Jason and Tammy for leading us novices through the process!
VIV · 2 July 2021
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotGreat experience overall (both buying…
Great experience overall (both buying and letting out), teams at various branches are very helpful. Thanks Vandross, Jemima, James and the rest of team Ocean.
Leonard · 7 June 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotGreat service kept us informed all the…
Great service kept us informed all the way through our sale.
Carolyn · 13 May 2026
★★★★★ 1/5
TrustpilotOcean Property Maintenance waste of time.
Ocean Property Maintenance team are the people who manage your property once the Lettings team (who are professional) have found you a tenant. I have used Ocean for 5 years. The last 2 have been extremely frustrating regarding maintenance and control of repairs and problems arising from tenants not completing expected cleaning. I have had endless account manager changes and in the end went to see the maintenance team leader. She has been just as ineffective as the junior account management team. Ocean are just reporting all maintenance issues to me, small (doorbell battery replacement!), or major (water leak as tenant not using shower curtain!) pushing for an Ocean contractor to attend, then agreeing some costs are tenant responsibility but taking payment directly from my rental income and never confronting tenant to make them pay their costs due to neglect. Ocean tried to bill me twice for work that needed to be repeated by contractor and I had to spend hours reviewing emails to work out I had already been charged. Since then, I have been double checking every issue and complaining but to no avail. Full of promises about how professional they are but in reality will just bill landlord for anything and never deal with tenant despite Ocean professing to have excellent inventory and property checking reports. No good if they can´t even make a tenant see that on checkin there was no mildew, but during tenancy as tenant not ventilating property there was a build up of mildew that was left there until I intervened. Dreadful waste of time and light-weight management of any situation as they get their cut before anyone else.
Chris · 5 April 2019
Agent replied · 20 September 2023
We are sorry that you have been disappointed with the property management aspect of our service. Please be assured your comments have been referred to the Ocean lettings and management Director and will be treated with the upmost of seriousness. A full appraisal of the case management will be made and we will contact you directly to address the points raised as soon as possible. Kind Regards, Ocean.
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotExcellent customer service
Excellent customer service
Co operates on each stage
Shoaib · 4 June 2026
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotNeil and Ocean Finance are brilliant
Neil and Ocean are brilliant, quick but thorough. Neil is so knowledgeable and just tells you how it is, no nonsense. Neil’s team are proactive and have saved/earned us a lot of money over the years.
Marnie · 14 October 2023
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotQuality service - thanks Beth!
As an ‘absent’ landlord, I have been very impressed with the quality of service from Oceans - and my particular thanks to Beth Jenkins for keeping me up to date with everything and her speed in replies and resolving a few queries arising from an interim report. Couldn’t have asked for more!
Rich · 12 April 2022
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotAvonmouth Ocean were fantastic
Avonmouth Ocean were fantastic, Mark and Carleah were excellent from the start. They found a buyer quickly and were constantly updating. I had a few challenges along the way and I'm so glad I chose Ocean.They will ensure your interests are covered at all times. Really pleasant to deal with. Big thanks guys!
Rachel · 20 February 2022
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotI have used Ocean Estate Agents as… Landlord
I have used Ocean Estate Agents as letting agents for over 13 years. Every single member of the team I have worked with has been fantastic. They are clear, honest, transparent and professional. They have a deep understanding of lettings from both the landlord and tenant perspective. Their professionalism comes across in their interactions with both groups. They have given very helpful advice, gone the extra mile to clarify issues, and ensure I am up-date on legislation and requirements of landlord. I cannot praise them enough and would recommend them without reservation.
Philip · 15 January 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotI had good vibes from the outset and was not disappointed!
I had good vibes from the outset about selling the family home under power of attorney through Ocean. My sister and brother-in-law had sold both their own home and an adjacent rental property a few years back through Ocean and at a branch in which Lawrence then worked. Now he is at the local branch used for this sale. He and indeed all of the team have been excellent. Even though the first chain broke down and the house had to be re-marketed, I stuck with them as sole agents and second time around the house was sold in less than 6 weeks from start to finish. Brilliant! So relieved to get this stressful thing out of the way.
Adrian · 21 March 2019
Agent replied · 20 September 2023
Thank you for your comments, it's genuinely really good to know we've been able to help the family move over the years. Taking the stress out of any move is exactly what we strive to do, we're certainly glad we were able to in this instance. Kind Regards, Ocean.
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotDebbie and the team at Ocean were…
Debbie and the team at Ocean were fantastic helping us through the moving process. The communication was fantastic!
Katherine · 30 September 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotProactive progress
Two distinct teams - sales and sale progression - both very effective in their communication of the situation. This made us confident in decision making and reassured us through the process that all was going as well as it could. Ultimately, we sold for a price acceptable to us with relatively little stress. A particular appreciation of the progress team who we felt were almost always ahead of us in checking progress with the two sets of solicitor teams. Many thanks.
Richard · 12 January 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotExceptional
Has been clear and quick through out, thanks you Amelia for a great viewing, looking forward to moving in!
Freddie · 13 September 2024
Where the same review appears twice we show it once. We leave out reviews that name another agent or another of the brand's offices.
