Trusted Agent profile · Brighton and Hove
★★★★★
652 reviews across 2 platforms
117 - 118 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2AD, Brighton and Hove, BN1 2AD
Fox & Sons's office in Brighton and Hove, at 117 - 118 Western Road, is rated 3.7 out of 5 across 652 reviews on two platforms, including 231 Google reviews rated 4.5.
Every review we hold for the Brighton and Hove office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
5/5
GoogleJames was very helpful when setting up a viewing and then taking me through the application process.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for your wonderful 5* review! Kind regards, Lucy, Customer Relations.
1/5
TrustpilotThey fail to answer email or messaging…
They fail to answer email or messaging at all in some instances, otherwise doing so late causing properties to be lost in some cases.
1/5
TrustpilotBad is not enough to define and…
Bad is not enough to define and describe the service provided by Fox and Sons in Western Road. They use all the resources they have in hand to make money at the expense of tenants.When we left the apartment, they sent a company to carry out the check out and they claimed money for "damages" that already existed when we moved in (but they did not mention in the check in report). As a way of example, they wanted to charge us £185 for an allegedly damaged skirting in the living room. Well, this was only the result of an existing structural crack in the wall that made its way to the skirting. This coupled with other reasons that were rejected by a dispute ending up in me and my wife wasting time on the dispute and getting my deposit back 3 months later. On top of that, when we moved in and because we were starting new jobs, we had to pay 6 month in advance plus deposit. We made it clear that we only wanted to be on a 6-month contract and after go on a rolling contract. Well guess what? we paid to secure the apartment and when we got the contract is was a 6-month contract subject to a minimum additional 6-month contract. They do not care about tenants!! Stay away from them if you are renting!!!
1/5
TrustpilotDODGY!!!
As in former reviews stated:All what counts for “Fox and sons” is money.After paying agency fees and deposit they stopped caring for us.With living in a flat which is mouldy and damp for over a year now, it is more than obvious that they’re NOT interested in solving the KNOWN problems.One room can’t even be used anymore.As we’re moving soon it becomes quite clear that the flat will only be re-decorated to sell it overpriced.My husbands health problems increased massively through the mould and damp.When it came out that there is an insurance with a certain company they even expected us to lie, that no other companies were involved.That is fraud!!! Although former tenants had the same problems and even got the Council involved, nothing happened.Fox and sons Maintainance company is useless simultaneously!
5/5
GoogleVery pleased with the service provided by Fox and Sons, Eloise in particular. Eloise has been extremely supportive throughout the process of getting the property ready for letting. She has put me in touch with a great network of local tradesmen and liaised when necessary on my behalf - I can honestly say I couldn't have done it without her! Her help has been invaluable.
5/5
GoogleI would recommend Fox and Sons to anyone looking for a rental property in Brighton. Kane showed me round the flat I am now in twice and was friendly and patient. Rachel was always on the end of the phone for advice and liaised very well with the owner about work that needed to be done before moving in. She kept me informed and guided me through the process efficiently. She and everyone else at the branch was friendly, efficient and helpful, doing their jobs with kindness and humour.
1/5
TrustpilotPleasant staff but I had a poor…
Pleasant staff but I had a poor experience. They recommend Conveyancing Direct. My file was passed to 4 different solicitors. That led to my purchase falling through and my sale left uncompleted.CD say they're based in Hastings, even the number on the phone is that number. In truth, my solicitors were based in Cardiff.My £1000 deposit was voided when I was gazzumped. F&S refused to get it back. So I did it. At the end, F&S even refused to deliver my spare keys (0.6 miles from their shop). 'We're not a delivery service'. At times they spelt my name wrong and basically failed to neither get the sale nor my prurcase over the line in time. So I stayed put.They distanced themselves from CD and said it wasn't their fault.£2000 out of pocket, no apologies...
5/5
TrustpilotLeah was very professional
Leah was very professional. She took time to explain her role and approach towards selling houses when she showed us round a property.So when asked to value my flat, she was honest and clear in her appraisal.
2/5
TrustpilotDeposit hasn’t been refunded.
I sent a deposit for a property to secure it however the landlord went with someone else. That’s fine, it happens. I Was told I would have a refund in full of my deposit £415.
1/5
TrustpilotFox and Sons are the most incompetent…
Fox and Sons are the most incompetent letting agents in Brighton. There is a reason there is so many one star reviews on google, mostly from tenants. They care about the rich landlords, NOT the tenants. They allowed tenants to move into a property WITHOUT ensuring they had paid a deposit which is just one of the many errors made which led to a tenancy from absolute hell and a loss of £2,000. This is due to their absolute lack of care which is made worse by their extortionate fees. A word which comes up again and again in all of the 1 star reviews, INCOMPETENCE. They do not care about giving a good service let alone one that their clients deserve. Nearly half of their reviews are 1 star and this speaks volumes.
5/5
GoogleThese guys work very hard for you and there are not many Estate Agents who are 1) so responsive 2) answer the phone MOST promptly 3) always call you back if required 3) are very pro-active , positive and encouraging 4) always keep you in the loop with your sale and, on top of all that, are always friendly, and enthusiastic .A pleasure to deal with from beginning to end. Thank you for seeing my sale through to a successful exchange today. Special thanks to Dom & Heb and not forgetting Brendan and Aaron. Well done lads !!
5/5
GoogleWe were introduced to James Elvin through Fox and Sons, having initially considered buying in Brighton. Despite ultimately settling on a property in London, we were so impressed by James that we asked him act as mortgage broker for our purchase. We were not disappointed: James was extremely helpful and quick to respond throughout the process, guiding us through the various steps and pre-empting any issues that our mortgage provider might raise. We have already recommended James to family and friends, and would not hesitate to give him a five star review. Thank you very much James!
5/5
TrustpilotKemp Town branch
I can only judge Fox and Sons Kemp Town based on my own experiences of buying a property through them and then letting it.And they have proved to be excellent in both cases. Ed showed me the property and Mike helped me finance it. No unnecessary tooing and froing and the process was smooth.Renting the property was equally easy. It was rented with a month at the price they suggested it should go for. Jenna and her team have proved helpful with deliveries and suggesting builders too.All in all I'm very pleased so far.
5/5
GoogleFox & Sons are my first chose always! I use their services since 2016. James Elvin is the best mortgage advisor I ever had, he believed in me and made my dream for home reality. Thank you very much for your very professional service James! It’s highly appreciated. Very kind, friendly and helpful always. Love to work with you and I would highly recommend western road brunch in Brighton. I wish you more and more happy costumes.
5/5
TrustpilotThank you Taila for all your hard work…
Thank you Taila for all your hard work dealing with an anxious landlady. Despite failing boilers, issues with the windows and guarantors you got it over the line. Thank for your help PJ
5/5
GoogleWe initially used Fox & Sons to find a tenant for a rental property in Brighton and were immediately impressed by the presentation and professionalism of the member of staff from their Lettings department in Western Road who came out to view the apartment. Fox & Sons had been recommended to us by a neighbour who, a couple of months earlier, had successfully let his own flat via Fox & Sons at a traditionally flat time of the year for the rental market and spoke very highly of their services. To our great delight, within a fortnight Jack, the Lettings Adviser handling our business, had found a very suitable tenant for our property. Throughout the process which then ensued, much of which was conducted via email and mobile phone across multiple time zones since we were travelling in Australia at the time, we never received anything less than an exemplary service from Jack. Acting as our sole point of contact, he capably and efficiently guided us through the whole process from initial assessment of our property right through to check-in of the new tenant. Jack’s sheer professionalism coupled with an in-depth knowledge of the Brighton rental market and of the complex and ever-changing set of legal requirements with which landlords must nowadays comply, combined to make what, for a whole range of reasons, can be a stressful and frustrating time for landlords seeking quality tenants for their properties, into a smooth and (almost) painless experience. In fact, so impressed were we by the service received from Jack at Fox & Sons that, a couple of months later, we used their services a second time to find a tenant for another property. Once again, Jack was able to match us up with tenants, this time within just a week of viewing the property, whilst delivering the same exemplary standard of care and professionalism we had enjoyed with the first property. On the basis of our dealings with Fox & Sons, I would have no hesitation in recommending them wholeheartedly to any landlord seeking a high quality letting service from a professional firm who really understand the local market and can deliver the results you need competently, efficiently and within the shortest possible timeframe.
1/5
TrustpilotStaff terrible at communicating…
Staff terrible at communicating resulting in huge bills. misinforming throughout the renting process about insurance policies which are a scam resulting in surprise charges. We rented a property and was told to not worry about normal wear and tear for example paint coming off in kitchen due to not being fit for purpose as not washable/ oil based (so unhygienic!). When raised to them in inspection they said it’s been kept very well and will be fine because we have insurance and we get hit with a £450 bill to repaint the whole property and ceilings and all woodwork….. This is despite us already paying £250 for the insurance in the first place which they told us covers things like normal wear and tear and explicitly told us painting would be covered and ‘not to worry!’Due to bad communication even had a house viewing at our property that they expect to come to any time and an hour after the agreed slot without just dropping a quick text or call and forced entry into the property when I was recovering from a surgery and explicitly told them not to enter without someone present to let them in. Overall terrible experience the agent can make a huge difference on your experience renting, ultimately the bad communication and lack of clarity and transparency resulted in surprise bills.
5/5
GoogleVery nice experience, Big shoutout to Vincent was very helpful and well spoken.
1/5
Trustpilotuseless, data protection breach, be carful with your banking information.
I originally let a property with them last year through the st.budeaux office. They was very friendly and welcoming at first. On the day I had to pick my keys for the property, I was taken up stairs to be sold contents insurance. The sales man was good and I decided that it was a smart move.All was well up until last month. My landlord phoned me and accused me of fraud! He said he had noticed a payment leaving his account every month for insurance in my name! I said I don't have a clue what you are talking about, I bought insurance from fox and sons and it was all done with my details.Following a confusing conversation with my landlord, I phoned up fox and sons to find out they accidentally put the land lords banking details through instead of mine and they were "sorry". After moving past what can only at best be described as a blatant breach of data protection and sloppy work, I phoned up last week to get a signed copy of my tenancy agreement emailed over to me. After not receiving anything for the whole week I decided to phone up again. To my surprise they sent the email I have requested not to me but to my landlord! After explaining to the lettings manager that every incounter I have had with them has been met with huge mistakes I proceeded to ask him if thier whole team is comprised with useless muppets or if it was just him? Instead of answering the question he hung up the phone, could you believe it.After calling no him straight back he angrily told me he didn't like my tone and will hang up again if I continued to complain. Now with a chip on his shoulder he informed me that he has sent the email again. This was two hours ago and I still haven't revived anything. This has been my experience with fox and sons. Substandard at best.
5/5
GoogleAmazing service from matt , james and elise, very clear and informative with all info !!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are thrilled to hear that Matt, James, and Elise provided amazing service and were clear and informative. We strive to exceed our customers' expectations and we're glad we hit the mark with you! Kind regards, Lucy, Customer Feedback and Support Team
5/5
TrustpilotRight from the initial viewing Toby and…
Right from the initial viewing Toby and his team acted professionally and helped our purchase go as smoothly as possible, highly recommended and would definitely use again.
1/5
TrustpilotThe True Cowboys of UK Estate Agents
One word - awful. We bought a house listed with Fox and Sons back in 2006 and between offering and completing all of the staff had left. We should of learnt our lesson but instead we rented a property through them recently which was also painful beyond the 1st month (notably the first month was December which is arguably a quiet month for them anyway). Once they'd been paid the upfront fees all they were interested in was selling the property. Radio silence from the rental contact and pestering from the sales team. To facilitate a sale they even attempted to misrepresent the AST contract terms. Wanting weekly visits for prospective buyers, inferring this was their right within the contract, and when we discussed extending beyond the 6 month fixed period they wanted to amend the contracts to explicitly state this as a right and secure multiple days per week to show prospective buyers around. They couldn't care less about a renters right to private enjoyment of the rental property they are paying for. And surprise surprise, when it came to check-out they applied as much urgency as a tortoise... more than 2 weeks later and we are still at least 1 week away from seeing our deposit returned. I know Dorset is a relaxed county but still..... If we compare them to the Agent that sold our house, which required us to move into rented, you couldn't have two more opposite ends of the scale. Cowboys is a polite way to describe the ineptitude displayed. Lucky for us we didn't need the deposit transferred between rentals but if we did we'd be in trouble so my advice to anyone reading this is to steer well clear of Fox and Sons.
5/5
GoogleJames was fantastic during our move, gave great service and was very responsive.
Thank you for your terrific 5* review. Best wishes, Lucy, Customer Relations.
5/5
TrustpilotFirst time buyer experience: Brilliant agents and amazing mortgage advisor
Everyone at the Hove office was an absolute treasure with me. I am a first time buyer and came in with so many requests, questions, worries and everyone was so keen to help!
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.
