Spark and Sons Hove reviews

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I have just moved out of a property as a tenant of Spark & Sons for the last two years, and am glad to say that both Oliver and Peter have been an absolute pleasure to deal with. Oliver in particular, is extremely attentive and makes a real effort to resolve issues promptly and fairly. As my main point of contact throughout, as well as the agent who first showed me the property, he is very transparent in the explaining the fees and providing updates when necessary. He also made the experience of moving out very easy and my full deposit was returned to me within a day or two of checking out of the flat. An enormous thanks to everyone at Spark & Sons for being so patient, professional and helpful over the last couple of years. Highly recommend.

James · 11 June 2018

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Disgusting service! Even though I left the property better than how it was when I moved in, it took weeks to receive the deposit back. I had to have lots of uncomfortable phone calls because they never respond to emails. Make sure they put your deposit on a TDP!

Mert · 12 November 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Unbelievable. We were dropped just two days before we were due to move in, leaving 6 students without a place to live for the coming academic year. Upon many urgent phonecalls to multiple other letting agencies we found out that there are no longer any student houses left to accommodate us. Stressed and heartbroken would be an understatement. The reason our application was retracted? We asked for the house to be cleaned, the mold on the walls to be properly eradicated and all electrical sockets and appliances to be made safe for use - amongst many other things that needed doing to make the house liveable. Because they refused to comply with these basic health and safety factors to make the house fit for use, we were told we were being dropped from the application and have subsequently been left with no other options. Words cannot describe the stress and anxiety this has caused amongst everyone in the group. Avoid Sparks & Sons like the plague.

Jess · 11 June 2017

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!! Never have i met such rude and horrible waste agents in my time of renting. Never fixing things the floor caving in on the bathroom and took months to replace. Always asking for money if it's little late or your out of the property, now I have a young child had a situation of no money for 2 months told spark and sons and said well get the money or your out on the 23rd December!! I managed to get well over £2000 together to pay him he was happy for a few weeks then went on at me again I was in arreas of £800 paid it and still wanted me out, claims there was rubish outside my door when it was the broken washing machine that couldn't be bothered to fix. And I pay for a garage space and been told I'm not aloud to park my car in the garage but I pay for it! These people are money grabbing people who don't care about their tenants at all so please avoid other wise you will be waisting your time with them.

Charlotte · 11 June 2017

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I've dealt with Peter and Adam for a few years now, and have always found them to be incredibly helpful, transparent, and trustworthy. I would recommend them to anyone.

Ellie · 11 June 2019

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

First of all, I'd like to state for the record that at no point do these cretinous, money-grabbing, treacherous scumbags deserve one star, it is just the lowest rating available. Like a thunderstorm at Butlins, these 'estate agents' will crush your spirit and sap your mental strength to its lowest ebb. I have never been treated with such animosity by a 'human being' before and I never wish to be again. The service provided by Spark & Sons has caused me to shed many a tear and since my experience with them I've lost three and a half limbs, which caused my goldfish to undergo serious psychological trauma. Crunch. Peter Spark, there is blood on your hands.

Didier · 11 June 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I lived in a student property through Spark & Sons for 9 months, and they were completely incompetent, never replied to any of my emails unless it was to try and bill us / fine us for something that they shouldn't be trying to charge us for. I complained about damp and they told me it was my 'living style' that was the problem, so if you breathe, its your fault. They left the upstairs bathroom as a building site for the whole tenancy, despite assuring us it would be completed within a month of moving in. completely useless on every level. They refused to return our deposits back to us, even though they emailed saying that the property was left in perfect condition. I complained for months asking for our deposits back, and in the end they stopped replying to my emails completely. I had to contact the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), raise a dispute, and wait for months before eventually the TDS forced Sparks & Sons to FINALLY pay us back out deposits (over 4 months after they were supposed to). These people are complete con artists and scammers, AVOID AVOID AVOID!

Tom · 11 June 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

This agency comes up with all sorts of fees, but doesn't give any written explanation of what they actually are. When I moved out they had the nerve to charge a hefty out check fee, which I had at no point agreed to, and they just deducted that from my deposit. This is interesting, as I did pay for an in check fee as well, and I'm sure the next tenant did too - so did they go to check the property twice? Obviously not, they just like leeching off people. I really cannot recommend this agency, unless you have no problem squandering your money on nothing in particular.

Inka · 11 June 2016

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

LYING CROOKS. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID! I have been renting a property since last year and there have been COUNTLESS issues with the property since I moved in; - We had to chase Sparks for a gas certificate - The lower sash in the front (my) bedroom is jammed and the bottom rail has rotted allowing the glass to slip within the frame producing a 1cm gap at the top. Not only will this produce draughts and allow driving rain to come in, there is a real risk of the glass blowing in during a storm or falling out onto passers-by with unthinkable consequences. - A window was jammed open (security issue), the other windows were impossible to open - The other window in the rear bedroom has a broken lock and although it is not so accessible this is a security issue and does not meet the requirements of the insurers. - The lower sash of the centre window in the living has a broken sash cord and is also jammed. - The kitchen window lower sash was jammed open - The curtain track is life expired. The fittings are damaged and snag the curtain making it impossible to close them. Also the draw cord system does not work. This is an issue for solar gain and privacy and the track should be replaced with something more modern. - My brand new washing machine was not fitted for weeks as the men who delivered it said the plumbing/electrical set up was illegal and dangerous - The entry system does not work so it is impossible to release the main door to the building from the flat. This is an issue should anyone be taken ill alone in the flat as it would impossible to release the front door to allow medical assistance to gain access. - The shower only trickled water (fountains have greater water pressure) - The extractor fan over the hob does not work. - The kitchen sink and toilet had brown/black stains which I had to bleach at my own expense, Despite emailing a list of outstanding issues numerous times, I have not received any written response from any representative of Sparks to any of those emails and only the most minor of issues has been rectified over the past 5 months. I find it absolutely despicable that despite paying nearly £1000 a month in rent, I can't even make contact with Sparks & Sons without coming into the office directly, only to be lied to time and time again about repairs being scheduled that they obviously have no intention of completing - we're still waiting. I also find it reprehensible that I had to justify to the head of the company why a broken lock on a window needed to be replaced. My university attendance in my first term took a huge hit as a result of all the cancelled appointments by Sparks and their associate companies (Gas Spec being the biggest culprit) and I had to leave a job I secured also. Sparks and Sons are to be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS - I write this as the sun blares on my back and the entire street can view me and all I do in the living room (due to the broken curtain track which stops us from fitting curtains we bought). They will lure you with their on-the-surface politeness and once you've signed that contract, the only duty you can count on them to do is collect your money.

Jonny · 12 June 2015

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I really wish i had read the reviews before going ahead and renting a property with these guys! We rented for a couple of years, Their fees are higher than any other we encountered, they are ridiculously hard to get hold of, they never reply to emails, when they actually get delivered. many times i had emails bounce back to me undelivered. Unless of course it was to do with giving them money. We were supposed to sign a tenancy agreement every six months, but they even forgot to do that in the last year. The guys are rude and unpleasant to deal with. We did manage to get a new kitchen but the builders left the flat in a sorry state, the floorboards weren't put back properly, they left holes drilled in the ceiling, and with no insulation in the loft, let freezing air in. and the carpet desperately needed replacement. whenever we asked about issues they just palmed us off with a number to call to get it sorted ourselves. We left the property at the beginning of the year and finally received our deposit back yesterday after many many calls and ignored emails. Just don't!

Gavin · 12 June 2015

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Please read the reviews and save yourself lots of money and time. I hate leaving negative reviews, however Spark & Sons have been absolutely awful. Despite always paying our relatively high rent on time, we had many problems with the house we moved into, most of which were ignored or blamed on us. We went without heating in winter which caused mould, and without electricity for weeks. Spark and Sons were reluctant to speak to the landlady on our behalf. They are not advocates for their tenants. The fees (especially on check out) were constant and expensive and they refused to give breakdowns of what we were paying for. We only lived in the house for 6 months and it has taken us 6 months to get a slither of our deposit back due to their terrible communication. I wish I had listened to the reviews I had read. When I was handing Sparks cash, they were lovely, charming and warm. Not the case, unfortunately.

Holly · 12 June 2015

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Totally seamless transition and incredibly helpful staff. Everything was very quick and clear when it came to signing the contracts and moving in. Definitely recommended.

Josh · 10 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I have been with spark and sons for the past 8 years and I felt like part of a family. Peter, Oliver and Adam had always a smile for me and listed to my various queries and offered a tailored service. Defenetly reccomend them ! They also offer really competitive price compare to other agencies in Brighton. I will miss them as they have been part of my Brighton adventure. Thank you guys!

Daniele · 10 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Full marks for Chloe in helping me find a new flat in Hove; she is a true diamond! Let's hope the great service continues once I move in (as some of the reviews here are somewhat worrying)...

Andrew · 10 April 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I was scheduled to have a virtual viewing on a property yesterday. This company did not send through a virtual video nor inform me that I wasn't going to have it until I rang to clarify. All in all, a big waste of my time with no communication.

LJ · 15 July 2023

★★★★★ 2/5

Google

Brilliantly helpful when moving in (very speedy). Pretty poor property managers for tenants (waited several weeks- months for help with any issue). Absolutely awful when moving out (be prepared to wait 2 months for your deposit to be returned, and to send many, many, many letters).

Cyara · 10 June 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

They wouldn’t pay me back my deposit. Waited for more than a month. Had to complain to the deposit scheme. Visited shop over 7 times. Failed promises and lots of lies. Very unprofessional.

Michael · 11 March 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Keep your investment FAR AWAY from these crooks. Untrustworthy and exactly what you don’t need in your life. If you aren’t on top of your game and organized they will exploit your weaknesses, for example charge the landlord for semi-annual property inspections that have never occurred. Unacceptable by any means! Retired, defenseless investors are their bread n butter, which is keeping this business afloat absolutely.

Dale · 10 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

As a landlord working with Spark and Sons Lettings agents I feel I always get a fantastic 5 star service. They always return my calls and contact me promptly with any information I require both in and out off hours. They have always found me good reliable tenants and I would recommend to any other landlord.PositiveResponsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value

Stanley · 10 June 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I can not thank enough Chloe for helping the Brazilian couple find a home with a very tight time schedule. They are thrilled. Super service!! (from LS - interpreter)

Luciana · 10 April 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Tried to keep an open mind going in as estate agents have such a bad reputation, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT GIVE THEM THAT REP!!! Scammers, crooks, money grabbers, and thieves is not an over-exaggeration. AVOID AT ALL COSTS, Even if it means paying a bit extra on your rent (You'll pay less in the long run by not being scammed out of your money)

Kate · 11 June 2019

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Very helpful and polite agency. They were very efficient with getting the flat and paperwork ready for to move in swiftly. Good service. Thank you.

Brian · 2 June 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Incompetent, unprofessional, LYING and deceitful. Adam the accounts manager went AWOL for months with no answer to my multiple enquiries about getting my deposit back, doesn’t give a cr*p even when confronted directly about this. Peter does as he pleases, lets himself into your house without warning, totally unhelpful. Would avoid like the plague if you can. Nasty, slimey, VILE specimens.

Amy · 10 June 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

They do not care about the tenant at all. I have had several issues with the property since moving in. After countless phone calls and visits to their offices to address these issues they still haven't been sorted. I don't like to write bad reviews but I am very disappointed with their customer service and judging by the many other reviews, I'm not the only one.

Josh · 11 June 2016