Connells Southbourne reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Overall poor, bad communication and driven by viewings not sale

My property was listed in September, I had offers but was not entirely happy with the risk of one, though went with the advise of their branch manager. The communication and info was pretty poor, which ultimately led to the buyer pulling out in Feb, right when my offer on buying a house was agreed. Up to this point their performance was somewhat excusable, but Connells then seemingly chucked any random through my house without due diligence checks as to whether the viewer was in a position, or even able, to buy, which was extremely inconvenient. The feedback also showed clearly they weren't 'selling' the house, or answering questions, but this may be more a point on the viewers than the caliber of agents (who are generally pretty good though on occasion were a touch rude). This also meant I lost out on another house purchase.The past week, whilst on a training course working from home, I requested viewings to be cancelled, but Connells proceeded anyway, interrupting to a potentially detrimental result on my course. Once is bad enough but then two days later they arrived on another viewing, earlier than it even had been booked, that had also been cancelled, with my partner having just stepped out of the shower to see some random guy in my garden looking through the windows. One of these issues is excusable but not all continuously.I'd strongly advise using any other agent

Mr · 26 April 2023

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

We (Lisa/Jon) are very pleased to say…

We (Lisa/Jon) are very pleased to say that CONNELLS Estate Agents mutley plain are very professional/ courteous and nothing we needed was not to much trouble for the team. From beginning to end of the process is selling our house was excellent. We highly recommend Alli / Sam and TEAM if you are looking to sell your home. All our thanks and best wishes to you all.

Jon · 1 March 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

terrible estate not answering phone…

terrible estate not answering phone calls i was ringing the office in kings wood the lady on the phone slam the phone on me if you selling a house you are wasting your time with these people

Jorawar · 25 July 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Had a survey conducted from James…

Had a survey conducted from James Edmundson. I mean, what can I say... he was quick, efficient and friendly. It was immaculately clear that he knows his trade and knows full well what hes doing. Knows the area impeccably and promised a quick turnaround on delivery. Connells... youve got a keeper.

Jack · 31 March 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

I used the in house mortgage advisor…

I used the in house mortgage advisor Joseph Whitmore when buying my house. Throughout the process he was professional and very knowledgeable. He dealt with issues quickly and confidently ensuring that the mortgage went through in a timely manner. Would recommend Joseph to others in the future

Darren · 19 December 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Connells - sound, experienced, and full of vitality.

Would like to say that Connells helped me with the purchase of a leasehold property in 2019, and also for the sale of the same property in 2022. Always friendly, found the right buyer (taking their own considerations into account), and were highly responsive, informed and moved at the right times. Have no complaints, only praise. Would like to thank Emma Eldridge for her work in 2021 as she identified a sound purchaser for good reasons, and helped to make it happen for them on their timeframe, which is the most important thing of all.

Tom · 1 December 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Connells is a terrible agency that you should not work with

Connells is a terrible agency that only cares about you until the contract is signed. After being exemplary tenants for over 2 years, we have received zero support or flexibility. Despite the standard practice in the UK, they refused any 'rolling contract' options, forcing us into rigid fixed terms.

GK · 25 March 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Dysfunctional

Have been using this company for a fully managed service on our rental property. To provide a balanced review - here's the positives:They will invoice you for their costs on time. The in team branch do their best to help but are at the mercy of a dysfunctional corporate business model....now to the negatives:The remote "support centre" team are anything but supportive. There is a lack of accountability, communication and follow up. Simple tasks such as informing energy suppliers of tenancy changes take months to get resolved. Communication flows from the tenant to landlord are poor. Chasing outstanding issues such as overdue rent or maintenance tasks feels like a tick box exercise which results in further delay / lack of action. Good luck if you have a deposit dispute as they will give you zero support. Most frustrating of all is the fact that I have escalated these issues on multiple occasions to give the company a chance to resolve and yet I find myself in the same place.My simple advice is please do your research and consider very carefully before using this outfit for a tenancy service.

Mr · 27 October 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I’ve been working with Connells, Southbourne as a landlord for several years and have always received great service. Tiffany in particular has been outstanding, professional and reliable. I’m very grateful for her support and would highly recommend.

Steve · 17 September 2025

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Bad property management

I signed a change of management contract for a property already rented. Rent for the month had not been paid. Contract was signed around the 10th, and at the end of the month the arreas rent had not been pursued. I lost money on mortgage interest.

Maddy · 28 November 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Needlessly Aggressive & Disgusting Breach of Data Protection Regulations

Recently sold a home with Connells - Fairford Leys. We'd used Connells before and wanted a specific agent in their town centre branch who we knew personally and had used before, but after enquiring were diverted to a marginally closer branch. That seemed a bit 'nit-picky', but whatever. Fast forward almost a year and we finally made it to completion, after a very drawn out and stressful process with lots of hiccups. In the sales-driven world of estate agents, we sensed that the long saga of our move frustrated them, but we weren't going to settle for a house with subsidence! We were encouraged to use their "Connells Home Conveyancing" service, which we took them up on because it meant a small refund of some fees later on and our buyer was already using the local solicitor we'd wanted. Big mistake! We also utilised their mortgage broker, who was very accommodating and competent, but for some strange reason saw fit disclose our private information to members of the public!? The outcome of which was that my wife ended up having to employ a solicitor to fight off her employer, who had found out we were moving as a result of this data breach and was pressuring her to quit (which would have ironically put the mortgage application in jeopardy). We still haven't decided where we're going to take it after the other thing that recently happened with Connells.The reason choosing Connells Home Conveyancing was a big mistake was because at completion they did two things wrong: 1. They overpaid stamp duty on our purchase to the tune of £2500 & 2. They also made accounting errors on the completion statement that resulted in Connells Estate Agent not being paid their sale fee in full. The stamp duty was paid at the old rate rather than the newly-announced one. But whilst this announcement came early on completion day, we didn't complete until the end of the day and so were eligible. This was widely available information in the public domain and I tried to call and email Connells Home Conveyancing to ensure we paid the correct sum, but they couldn't be bothered to look at it. Instead, they left me to chase HMRC for a refund via post (yes, that's their process) which could take weeks! I went in to Connells Estate Agent on completion day and they, incorrectly, advised me that we weren't eligible too. But the worst of it was that, because of their accounting error, the estate agent didn't get paid their full fee at completion. This resulted in the branch manager giving us just 24hrs to pay the balance or face debt collection! How quickly the mask fell off once all that was left was to settle the bill. Through no fault of our own and due to the incompetence of Connells Group, we are now out of pocket over £3500, plus the cost of the solicitor. We also find it funny how when they want money they're owed (because their own people messed up) it's 24hrs or bailiffs, but we are also due a refund of the photography fee for using Connells Home Conveyancing, we have to write to head office then wait 28 days for them to make a simple bank transfer. Of course, we paid in order to avoid the hassle and are now left flabbergasted at the rudeness, incompetence, privacy breaches and threats from Connells. A totally unnecessary sequence of events and a completely over-the-top response, no doubt driven by some meaningless sales deadline. We wouldn't recommend Connells or their partner services to anyone after this and looking at the other reviews on here it seems we're not alone. Avoid!

Tom · 30 September 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Very poor

Very poor. Connells knew very little about the house we were purchasing, and when we asked questions said they would find out and didn’t. It is extremely difficult to get hold of them on the phone, which caused issues with surveyor and contractors visiting the house for survey and quotes. Email communication was intermittent.

Jack · 31 January 2026

★★★★★ 4/5

Google

The property I view was immaculate and the agent was very m. R professional.Quick response and their followed up which is nice .

Olorunfemi · 17 January 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Sophie has been great

Sophie has been great! I have relocated for a new job and she helped me find the best place that ticked all of my boxes - making the relocation run smoothly! Prompt communication and very informative. I was accommodated for when needing a virtual viewing which was very helpful.

Abby · 17 September 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

2 minutes ago

2 minutes agoNEWI have had an appalling experience with Connells as a buyer. I made an offer on a property in March which was accepted. I believe Jack lied to me throughout the entire process. I got my mortgage offer immediately as Jack insisted on having it place before proceeding. The offer expired end of August so I asked Connels (Jack) what would happen in the event of reaching this deadline. He told me that the seller would move in with her son and effectively break the chain. This simply wasn't true. As the deadline approached I requested thiat the vendor break the chain. The reposnse from them was that wasn't going to happen as her son lived with his wife and 3 kids. After trying to find out about the status of the sellers putchace, coincidentally 2 days later the seller pulled out because their sale fell through. This again is according to Jack and I simply don't believe it. I should speak with the vendor directly and see what the position is. Thanks Connels, your lying and pushyness for my mortgage deal is simply going to cost me £1000s I will never buy a property through you again. And maybe have the guts to give me the news yourself next time you coward

Mick · 28 July 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

I would give them -5 if the option is there

I am writing this review to warn other landlords about the severe negligence, hidden fees, and lack of professionalism I experienced with Connells' full management service.

Rajaa · 18 August 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Highly highly don't recommend…

Highly highly don't recommend bridgfords mortgage advisor in burnley, an absolute disgrace, don't fall for the sweet words she use's, horrible person inside.

Ify · 3 September 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Long Contract

From the start my experience has been terrible with 32 weeks contract High Fee's do not enter or commit yourself into any long contract.you then have to lower the price they don't lower the fee.you are still left after this period with no sale.

Patrick · 4 April 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Great service, Connell's was really helpful and handled so much of the process which was great as it's our first house. Rio and Tia especially were both really patient and always kept us up to date.

Milo · 1 September 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Very good service. Louis and Rio very helpful in our purchase.

John · 10 April 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Avoid like the plague. I rented a flat from this firm, and they have a clause where you are immediately signed up to Ovo as an energy provider. In my case the landlord had requested them not to, but someone in Connells contacted Ovo and signed me up anyway. It was nigh on impossible to cancel this, and in the end I had to stick with unhelpful Ovo and their high prices. Connells offered no help to rectify their mistake, and were evasive and unfriendly, making inaccurate claims. It seems all they care about is their commission, and then they wash their hands of you. Dealing with them is difficult because they are a big firm and you might be sent round the houses, to head office in Wigan or wherever it is - rather than your local branch. I will never deal with Connells again. Other estate agents are available.

Hulya · 23 October 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Im selling my property with them

Im selling my property with them, i would not recomend or ever use them again. 1 viewing no feed back, no communication and locked in for 6 months.

Debbie · 24 July 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Appalling Service from Connells North Swindon

My Son has recently purchased a flat through Connells North Swindon Office. I have not had a worse experience with an estate agent. It started off on the wrong foot where they credit scored and approached my son about a mortgage without his permission. There were some delays and challenges and we got a fair amount of help whilst we were still targeting a pre Christmas exchange. As soon as that was missed we had no support - assume bonuses are paid on completionsI'm used to the estate agent being there through the process and helping to resolve any issues encountered. No such luck here - disappeared and wouldn't respond. I also emailed and left a message for the branch manager to call me - surprise, no one did.This was his first purchase so needed support through the process - appalling service - avoid using if you are expecting any help and support. They seem to be solely focused on targets and bonuses

Steve · 5 April 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Unprofessionalism towards tenants

Rented a property from Connells, at the end of term landlord tried to exploit and grab the deposit and Connells acted like they can’t take any responsibility. Connells were the ones rented the property and should’ve taken some responsibility.

Arslan · 1 May 2026