Spark and Sons reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Yell

Slug infestation, damp and mould

- Floors were so wet there was splash back. - Slugs crawling up the walls at night and living under the carpets. - No extractor fan so this added to the damp and mould in and outside of the flat. I have severe asthma - I moved after 4 days and they wouldn’t let me out of my contract until 1st month so they could keep the deposit. I was homeless and working in the NHS Just in conversation, too many tenants do not get their deposit back and the conditions of the properties are appalling. They don’t answer calls or emails and are rarely ever in the office. Do not waste your time or hard earned money!

YolandaG-12 · 8 November 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Chloe at Spark & Sons was a godsend in our flat search. We were really struggling to find anything suitable and Chloe made a proactive recommendation which turned out to be perfect! Equally helpful was Chloe's amazing aftercare: she probably spent more time on the application paperwork than we did, and has helped us hugely with the time consuming settling in chores. (This included helping out with meter readings to advice on parking permits!) We'd recommend Chloe unreservedly - thank you for all your help Chloe!

Ben · 10 April 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Chloe supported our recent property search, providing a good selection of properties to review. We settled on a beautiful property which required multiple visits and Chloe was always there to support us with our requests until our final decision. In the property a week now and thoroughly enjoying it and receiving follow up support from Chloe. The transition regarding electricity, gas and counsel tax is new to us and has been a little challenging but getting there.

Richard · 11 March 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Terrible, terrible service. I would not recommend them to anyone. I was with Spark & Sons for two years, which was two years too many. There were multiple issues with the property I was paying rent for, one including a water leak dripping onto the fuse board. Not to mention the danger this entails, their lack of response and care once this issue was raised, clearly indicates that they are happy to take your money but aren't willing to maintain the property, even if it puts you in danger. Additionally, they made lots of empty promises during my time with them with no issues getting fixed. I am pleased to say that I am no longer with them, and it took over a month to get my deposit back, after persistent 'badgering' and they decided they wanted me to get off their case. Stay well away from this company (if you can call it that), they are unprofessional, incompetent & a waste of time. They need to be shut down.

Will · 12 November 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Please stay away from these agents. The service is terrible. Helen is lovely and passes on the message but unfortunately no one is ever available to speak, or either that you are left ignored. I would not trust these agents, despite illegal fees being banned, they take a £369 ‘holding fee’ this fee Was taken, the property was never removed from adverts. Nothing was signed, nothing was confirmed either. I hoped to appeal to this company because of our personal situation and they have been rude and feels like they don’t care, I’ve worked in this industry and you can ALWAYS use your distraction. In these uncertain times, human empathy whilst working in customer service goes a very long way. Stay away from these rogues

BUBBLiN · 10 June 2023

★★★★★ 4/5

Google

Initially in November, 2021 when me and my friend and her son moved to Brighton, we had a tough time finding a place to stay. We came across the property and from the viewing to finally renting out the property Oliver was very helpful. It was winter when we moved in and they have thoughtfully kept the heater on. Further when we used to report any issues Helen and others were very helpful. The home we rented was an old one and had multiple maintenance issues however Spark and Sons especially Peter worked hard on getting most of them resolved. We have moved out recently in December,2022 and received the deposit back in a month of moving out. Overall we had a good experience with Spark and Sons.

Aishwarya · 10 June 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Terrible company! Do yourself a favour and just stay well away. Cowboys is an understatement. They want your money and that's about it. When it comes to looking after you as a tenant though, forget it. Nothing gets done, calls don't get answered, emails ignored, and if you dare to go in the officd, met with bad attitude and rudeness. If I could leave zero stars I would.

P · 13 October 2023

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I recently moved to my new home in Hove and I'm totally happy with S&S support on this process! Punctuality, professional approach and polite positive people helped me to move in time and also fixed all the details mentioned on the viewing before I check in. Also kept me updated about apt status and amendments done. Support to schedule additional viewing before I moved in (much appriciated), and provide all info requested. Thanks Dan and S&S for my new adorable seaside home! Recommend thi s guys! Br/Jules

Jules · 10 June 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

This is one of the least professional organisations I have ever had the displeasure of interfacing with. I would avoid them at all costs if possible. I will detail my experience below so you can see what I mean. I rented a flat with them for 2 years which had a pretty severe damp problem. After months of asking them to come and take a look only to be ignored I decided I had no choice but to threaten legal action. This compelled them to do the repairs, but they decided to do more work than we had initially agreed which meant I had to find alternative accommodation for longer than I had planned to - and I still paid them rent for that whole month. Ultimately the damp returned anyway and the new circuit breaker they decided to install for some reason was malfunctioning, meaning that when I moved back in I had no hot water for a week as the water heater would trip the switch. Many of the "repairs" they had done during my tenancy were not up to scratch, I think they need to stop cheaping out on contractors - especially when it comes to safety critical features of a building such as electrics! On top of this, throughout my tenancy there were multiple instances of people entering my flat without notice or permission, which is obviously not acceptable. Every time I contacted them with regards to this issue they apologised and said that next time I would be given notice, but this was never the case. There was even a period of a few days where I didn't have a lock on my door as they were in the process of replacing them and didn't think to tell me until after they had started. The final insult came when it was time for me to move out and reclaim my deposit. They took over a month to send me half of it back and then held on to the other half for "water rates". They told me that in my building there was a single water meter that the landlord paid the bill for and that I owed them money for my portion of that. The problem is that this was not true - my flat had its own meter and I had already sent them a bill proving I had paid it off. Having contacted the deposit dispute service I have now reclaimed the other half of the deposit, but I think it's shocking that this happened in the first place. I liked my little flat all things considered, but by far the worst part of living there was having to deal with this shambolic company. None of their staff know how to navigate a bloody email inbox to look for emails sent only a few days prior, they're so absent minded that they'll send contractors to the wrong building or order appliances that don't fit through the damn door, they'll hire anyone to do their work with no consideration of quality or even safety - they just don't care. It seems the only way to get their attention is to miss rent or threaten legal action. Would give them 0/5 if I could.

Oliver · 10 June 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

it had been very difficult to find a…

it had been very difficult to find a studio flat to rent, I contacted spark and sons regarding one of the properties they had listed. I was put in contact with jade from spark and sons and she has been very helpful and reliable throughout the whole process. if anyone’s struggling to get accepted for a property I would highly recommend asking to speak to jade as she will do her best to find a solution for you.

Ashraf · 7 April 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Complete Scammers! They waited until it was time to renew our contract, charged us a month's rent in fees just to re-sign the lease, then used the 'break clause' in the contract to evict us with no reason given. They charged us fees totalling more than our deposit for the pleasure of being evicted which they called 'Agency check out and deposit de-registration fees' How is that even legal? To add insult to injury, once they had decided to kick us out they would let themselves into the property using their keys, without permission from us and unannounced, to show new tennants around whilst we were still living there.

Pukka · 10 June 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I have rented with Sparks and Sons for a year now and the main person who has helped me throughout this year was Oliver, who I cannot recommend highly enough. Oliver was always quick to respond and resolve any issue I had at the house - as well as making sure me and my siblings were well and comfortable. I can say with certainty that Oliver is the best agent I had in my 4 years living in Brighton and that he brings the literal spark in Spark and Sons.

Thalessa · 10 June 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I saw a flat advertised online 12 minutes after posting, booked a viewing in my lunch hour that day, and moved in 8 days later! It was quick, simple and as easy as that! I cannot stress enough how helpful and straight forward Thomas Quinn and the team have been. After 6 months of viewings and dealing with many agents, it was a delight and a pleasure to find an agent that cares. The morning I moved in - I found Peter Spark himself in the garden in his shirt and tie sweeping, on which turned out to be his own significant birthday. Fab service, easy paperwork=happy renting.

Rachel · 10 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We have recently rented a newly renovated flat through Oliver at Sparks & Sons. Oliver was friendly, helpful and good-humoured throughout. There were a few teething problems with some of the renovation work and Oliver got these quickly resolved - this has not been our experience with other agents who sometimes let things drag on. Overall we were really pleased with the service we received and would highly recommend.

Fred · 10 June 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We've rented from these guys for a few years now and they've been phenomenal. Our flat was a basement flat that, although refurbished, had some teething issues and Oliver and the team ensured the issues where sorted within a matter of days and at times that suited us. The key is (and I feel theres a lot of people that expect everything is done for them), treat the property like its your own home and leave it as you'd expect to find it.....That is all they ask and you get your deposit back stress free.

Gina · 11 June 2019

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Worst agency in Brighton. Oliver went behind my back and contacted my guarantor, lying and saying he came to the house when I was in and that I didn't answer the door. I was out. Also got back £300 from £900 deposit, because of smudges on a white wall and they claimed it cost £250 to professionally clean an already clean studio apartment. The men that work there are rude and arrogant. From a Landlords point of view, they did not check any of my details with my employer or previous landlord. Overall a terrible business.

B · 11 June 2018

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Been in this property for two years and about to renew the lease. Have been very happy with the service received by Sparks. Before I moved in I complained that the windows needed locks on (due to my active toddler and we are not on the ground floor). They then installed double glazing and new doors at the same time, which was more than I had requested. My radiators have broken down twice and there's been small plumbing and electrical work to do and the agency they use for that are very efficient. I would be happy to recommend Sparks and Sons to friends and family.

Claire · 11 June 2018

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Spark & Sons are the best agency I've used. We got our deposit back very quickly and Adam, Peter and Oliver were always very nice and helpful. We needed a new freezer and washing machine when we moved in and Spark & Sons got these for us within days - same as when we had an issue with the bathroom, they put us in touch with the emergency plumber. They always kept us updated if any visits were needed and I would definitely use them again when I next move :)

Kelly · 11 June 2018

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Absolutely disgraceful! Not upholding fire safety in their properties after Deb and her housemate were almost killed in an electrical fire caused by appalling wiring and having had no fire alarms installed in the whole building!! Deb is now facing eviction and homelessness after raising concerns and fighting for better fire safety in her flat!!!

Kai · 10 June 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

These were out first agents and if all agents are as bad as this then God help us with our next ones! We have had part of our deposit taken away with no reason given depiste numerous phone calls requesting the reason for them withholding part of our deposit, quick to take your money but not quick to give it back! Paid £96 for an appointment at 1pm to come and view the flat before we left but because it was raining and he'd left his umbrella in the car and didn't want to get wet resulted in him being half an hour late!!!! People stay clear 😡

Sian · 11 June 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Worst Letting Agency in Brighton

This letting agency is one of the worst out there. I was about to raise a complaint to court because they are not responding to emails or will just tell you they are working on it and nothing happens! Multiple calls and emails with no response. The deposit is not protected in a Deposit Protection Scheme and now I am charged of the cleaning fee for the flat I have left clean compared to when I first arrived there! Ridiculously unfair! All the pictures and video are saved carefully and will definitely dispute all of this until I get what I deserve.

Marem · 19 September 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

The bottom of the barrel - then they keep digging.

If it were possible to leave a minus number of stars, I would have.

Dale · 15 July 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

God help you if your home is next door to a house rented out by Sparks & Sons. When they have authority to do repairs that are causing damage to your property Peter Sparks (owner) will do nothing but lie and pretend he is going to fix the problem. The first thing the owner of the property, causing damage to yours, will know that there was a problem is when they are taken to Court and sued for the damage.There is nothing honest about this Agent in their dealings with the public. Peter Sparks is a useless Agent both for properties on his books and the properties next door if there is a problem.

Jo · 12 June 2015

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I rented with them years ago during uni, I thought maybe their service towards students was bad but all these years later, their service is just generally awful. I viewed a flat with broken windows, dirty underwear lying around, uncleaned floors, toilet and cupboards and electric debt. I only accepted it as Chloe said it would all be fixed on my start date. No one stepped foot in the property after that. I arrived with all my belongings in a dirty, damp flat. I was so disappointed. 7 days later, windows are still broken, flat is still dirty but they’ve sorted the electric as that’s the bare minimum they had to do. But third times a charm and I will not be renting with them after my tenancy is finished. I do not look forward to the year ahead if this is how it’s starting. Shame

Yolanda · 23 May 2024