Every review we hold for the Leeds office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI cannot praise Smart Investment & Management enough. In particularly Kate & James - they have gone above and beyond to ensure we are happy with everything in our new flat. Any issues or concerns me & my girlfriend have had no matter how big or small they are, it is immediately sorted it for us. Kate has kept in regular contact with us and made this whole process of renting stress-free. It gives us confidence to know we have an agency that cares and is on hand to help with any problems or queries. Very reliable and professional!
Connor · 22 June 2019
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleWe rented a property with Smart Investment in Leeds for 18 months.
Moving in and communication during tenancy was fine but our moving out experience was the worst we've had in 10 years of renting.
Firstly, they demanded we show proof of final utility bills being paid before they started the deposit return process. This may only seen like a small thing but it is a classic case of landlords/estate agents hoping that tenants don't understand their rights in order to make things more convenient for themselves. Not providing copy of final bills is categorically not a reason to delay the deposit return scheme under the Deposit Protection Scheme. We confirmed this with the DPS. Unsurprisingly, Smart Investments caved and had to start the return process without copy of the bills.
Secondly, they tried to take a sizeable chunk of our deposit for things that were clearly wear and tear. We took this to DPS arbitration and had this cut down to less than half of what they wanted. It's worth noting in 10 years of renting we've never had a single penny taken from our deposit until Smart Investments.
Matthew · 21 June 2022
Agent replied · 20 June 2024
Dear Matthew,
We can see that this review is in addition to your wife’s review on the same tenancy so the majority of our response remains the same as that to your wife’s.
We did want to clarify that the proof of final utility bill requirement is in your tenancy agreement - it is a shame that the DPS bypass this clause, it is there to protect the landlord of any unexpected costs / issues following on from a tenant vacating.
Best
Smart IM
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleAs a tenant for 18 months I found Smart to be very landlord-focused. They did the bare minimum for us, and jumped on every opportunity available to squeeze more ££ out of us.
Smart is my 7th landlord/lettings agent over the years, and their checkout process was by far the most stressful and unpleasant I've experienced. Would not recommend to tenants.
EDIT: Following Smart's response, I'd like to add that the independent adjudicator awarded Smart half of what it claimed from our deposit. We left the property in as good a condition as was possible after an 18-month tenancy, and it was typical of Smart to try and take as much money as they could. I'll also add that I've never before had a deposit dispute with any other landlord or lettings agent.
Finally, Smart's efforts to get more money out of us were not limited to the return of our deposit. They also increased the rent at every possible opportunity. While I accept their reasoning that this was 'in line with market rates', I do feel prospective tenants should be made aware of Smart's landlord-focused approach.
Michelle · 21 June 2022
Agent replied · 20 June 2024
Dear Michelle,
We are sorry that you feel disappointed & let down with the service that you have received from us.
As you will know, we as a managing agent have a duty of care to both our tenants and landlords, and from yourself being an experienced renter, you will know that tenants are expected to hand back properties in the same condition that they are handed over to them. Unfortunately as this was not the case on your tenancy and there were a number of areas on the checkout that needed to be resolved, and as such we were unable to release your full deposit to you, as confirmed by an external adjudicator.
You have also mentioned that we wished to squeeze ££ out of you, we feel that this is an unfair comment to make as we use third parties for any maintenance works needed and have no influence on their prices. As mentioned above these works were resolved by an external adjudicator to ensure that we remained fair to both parties.
We will always strive to negotiate to a fair solution with both our tenants and landlords, however on occasion it is inevitable that tenants and landlords will disagree.
Best
Smart IM
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleSMART were hugely helpful during the move in process to my flat- always there to answer with any questions or worries prior to moving and once we had moved. A special mention to Billy Pert who was excellent in helping us with any issues and always with a friendly manner! Thank you SMART!
Ellie · 21 June 2023
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleVery professional, supportive, precise, and well-organized.
Aliakbar · 16 December 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Hi Ali, thank you for your 5* review! Very kind of you to take to time to post about your experience with us. Best, Team Smart Group
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleLandlord pulled out the day before I was supposed to be moving and the letting agency refused to pay back my £250 holding deposit - seems like a scam
Holly · 16 April 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Holly,
We understand your concerns regarding the holding deposit. However, it's important to note that the landlord's decision to withdraw and retain the holding deposit was in accordance with the terms and conditions of the offer letter you signed.
As discussed over the phone, both your application and that of your guarantor did not meet the referencing criteria, which were provided to you before the holding deposit was paid.
We always maintain transparency in our processes, and we assure you that the procedures followed were in line with our established guidelines.
Best regards,
Smart IM
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleThe process from booking a viewing to submitting the application and signing the tenancy agreement was fast and very smooth. James was a great help, and he tried his best to reach an agreement between the landlord and me. Smart is one of the best offices I have been in touch with in my flat hunting journey in Leeds.
Amal · 21 June 2022
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleStaff are fantastic and ensure all issues are seen to in a timely manner. They always respond effectively and efficiently to solve any issues I’ve had.
Extremely happy they have taken over management in my apartment block.
Kiara · 12 October 2024
Agent replied · 20 June 2024
Hi Kiara, thank you for your 5* review! Very kind of you. Best, Team Smart IM
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleSmart Investment has long been our agent and we are most impressed by their professionalism, work ethics, a great partner to work with
Keith · 16 April 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Thank you Keith for your kind review!
Best,
Smart IM
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleAmazing service, big thanks to Francesca for being so helpful!
L · 20 December 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleProbably the most dedicated letting agents in Leeds, always going the extra mile.
Rob · 16 April 2025
Agent replied · 24 October 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review Rob! Best, Team Smart IM
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleFrancesca is absolutely brilliant, she went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly and that I was never put in an uncomfortable situation. So helpful and friendly throughout, couldn’t recommend enough!
Beth · 21 June 2023
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI purchased 2 properties managed by Smart. The handover was extremely easy and it appears Smart have done an excellent job managing the property prior to my purchase. Thank you James and team.
Marco · 21 June 2023
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleBrilliant Service!
James approached every aspect of my property purchase with credibility, professionalism, knowledge and understanding.
Having gone through one aborted purchase and coming up against various issues in a second, James was reliable, patient and always fair. He stood in more corner and could not have been more helpful. I could not recommend this company enough!!
Josh · 22 June 2018
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleThe service has been absolutely amazing! Kate has been so helpful since I first inquired about the property and continues to respond to all my queries and be incredibly supportive. The fantastic service has definitely made the build up to my move really stress free. I'd highly recommend Smart Investment & Management.
Lorena · 22 June 2019
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleThieves and scammers. You did not pay the invoice for the service we provided. Complete lack of professionalism.
Urszula · 4 December 2024
Agent replied · 9 December 2024
Dear Ursula
This claim /statement is completely false. Your invoice has been paid in full as you will be aware. We have made multiple attempts to contact you. As a small business yourself you should understand the effect a false statement like this has.
Smart investment & Management
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleJames, Francesca and team have been the perfect partners for both purchasing and managing my property in Leeds. Swift to solve any issues and always a pleasure to deal with. Thanks a million for the A star service.
Simon · 21 June 2022
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleThe most professional, decent and reliable people in the sector.
I have been dealing with James since the start of the business, never been let down. Always above expectations.
Amna · 5 August 2025
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleJames went over and above to help us as we moved into our new flat earlier this month. He has kept in regular contact to ensure that everything was as we expected and to quickly clarify any issues we had. 100% would recommend to anyone looking for a new property.
Will · 22 June 2019
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleGreat service, always friendly, proactive and solution-oriented. Francesca in particular has always been fast to react and respond and very helpful. I've switched all the properties I can to be managed by Smart Investment and Management now.
Ollie · 24 September 2023
Agent replied · 20 June 2024
Hi Ollie, thank you for your 5* review! Glad to hear Francesca was of help. Best, Team Smart IM
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI have had a good experience so far with Smart Investment & Management Ltd as a Landlord. Really good communication from the team and effective tenant finding.
Samantha · 20 July 2025
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI have had the pleasure of dealing with Smart investment & management they are highly professional, qualified and kind. Their customer service is always great, they always deal with queries effectively. I highly reccomend them.
Ahmed · 12 October 2023
Agent replied · 20 June 2024
Hi Ahmed, thank you for your 5* review! Very kind of you. Best, Team Smart IM
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleHIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I have been privately renting with Smart Investment & Management a little over a year now and all I can say is just how wonderful both they and my landlord have been throughout - to the point where I have signed on for another year of renting and hopefully, many more to come!
The application process was clear and simple and the team is always on hand for any questions, even before signing my lease!
If any problems have occurred within the property during my tenancy, regardless of them being of a minimal nature, I have always had a rapid response from the maintenance team with the problem being resolved usually on the day they arrive, which they have popped round either same day or the next day, or within a week (only if parts needed to be ordered).
Kelsea · 21 June 2022
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleCan not recommend highly enough. Let a property for 18 months and the service provided by James and Billy was excellent from start to finish. If you need a property in Leeds, look no further than these guys.
Brian · 21 June 2021
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.
