Martin & Co Pontefract reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Contacted the agency to view a property, but was sent a note to pay £126 non-refundable holding deposit while the application ("referencing"?) is processed. No return if the "referencing" fails. It seems like a clever scam with very little redress if the landlord has a quibble and refuses to rent. Or what if they delay the process and after 3 weeks you find somewhere else? They keep the deposit. Apparently, the holding deposit is to pay for a thorough "background check" and the guarantor. This is despite paying £650 security deposit for a £500/month flat. Maybe some people have had good experiences (one wonders if the reviews are fake), but there are too many warning bells screaming: "avoid avoid"! Do landlords ever get to rent out their properties with this agency either? Or are they milking a high demand for housing by scamming dozens of potential tenants for each property on their books? The reviews are Trustpilot are almost universally negative! Maybe because good reviews are harder to fake there...? UPDATE: hardly a malicious review, I've uploaded the message, which seems to indicate that the deposit won't be returned regardless (certainly no mention of when or how it will be returned). The rent was £550, so why is the security deposit £634? Where is "the law" to charge these outrageous prices? Apparently the £126 is to pay for a thorough background check of the tenant and the guarantor. That alone sounds like a "legal" scam, when there's already a hefty security deposit and a month's rent up front - and no doubt several candidates in a series all paying their £126 or £115 thorough background check fees. Why does one have to pay a week's rent (without being able to move in, of course) to allow the owner/agent to make up their minds whether to rent to you or not? Other agents take references and let you know by the following day whether to proceed with the paperwork. No charge. Go to Trustpilot and search for Martin & co (some decent reviews, from sellers or landlords, and a few really awful complaints, from tenants and one irate landlord) and martinco (same company but ALL with bad reviews). It seems they also charge £90 to renew the tenancy - no mention of that anywhere in the messages or the website. From their website: "... your holding deposit will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s)) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right-to-Rent check..." I think the devil's in the details: the Right-to-Rent check seems to be for foreigners and there is no fee involved, just provide a "share code" from the government. Where's all the other nonsense about a "thorough background check", which could be quite strict and difficult to pass, so a very good chance you will lose the holding deposit. Based on the experience of other reviewers, this agent seems unhelpful and dubious at best. Prove me wrong!

Gary · 4 March 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Right from the viewing, Danielle was superb at guiding through the process. I felt that not only did she understand the personal circumstances of the sellers but also my own. Danielle kept in touch throughout the process and I always felt I was supported and updated and as though there was genuine care and interest. It actually made the process enjoyable and I would not hesitate to recommend Martin & Co to any buyer or seller. Service is second to none.

Catherine · 2 February 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We recently sold a family property and used Martin & Co Pontefract. Carolyn who came to value the property was very professional and also very friendly. She was so helpful throughout the whole process. Gemma and Danielle also kept us fully informed and provided an excellent service. We highly recommend Martin & Co as the service we got from the whole team was exceptional.

Sue · 7 November 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Gemma and Danielle have been absolutely exceptional from the start with the sale of my home. Their knowledge, professionalism and understanding is outstanding and I cannot recommend them enough! It’s the first ever time I’ve ever sold a property and they kept me well informed and were very patient throughout!

Aaron · 28 February 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

View Agents

Professional yet personal touch

Right from the viewing, Danielle was superb at guiding through the process. I felt that not only did she understand the personal circumstances of the sellers but also my own. Danielle kept on touch throughout the process and I always felt I was supported and updated and as though there was genuine care and interest. It actually made the process enjoyable and I would not hesitate to recommend Martin & Co to any buyer or seller. Service is second to none. Thank you!

Catherine · 18 January 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I have recently sold my property with Martin and Co. Danielle and Gemma kept me updated on the process start to finish. If you are looking for someone to sell your house with in Pontefract I would highly recommend Martin and Co. Thanks everyone.

Katie · 14 February 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

most stuck up rude agency of ever come across they don't like people on benefits don't ever try and get a property with them because they're going to set you on benefits they just don't like your they're just trying to get more money out of your and they're just don't like people on benefits they are scrimminated me against multiply to think care about me and everyone is to help me whatever happens this agency wallpaper what they've done and I'm going to make sure that they've got no respect for me all they care about is their cell and it underlines what they want all they care about is a discriminating people

Chris · 12 June 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

As investors we had used Martin & Co before to sell a property in Pontefract and Julie Duff and her team had impressed us then. We then recently hired them to sell a bungalow, fully refurbed and ready to go. Julie found 2 buyers at asking price within a week and we were flying. Frustratingly the buyers solicitor was the worst we’ve ever encountered; slow, incompetent, inflexible and incommunicado. What should have been an easy cash saw dragged on for weeks. Through it all Julie was calm, professional, persistent and positive. In the end she came up trumps and found a way of getting us over the line. Can highly recommend Julie, Jules and all the team, a great friendly estate agent.

Gareth · 13 April 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Brilliant from start to finish. We were struggling to find somewhere to rent and had been let down my several agents; but came across Marin & Co in Pontefract and the experience could not have been better. Clare was so helpful throughout the application process, and she could not have been more supportive throughout. Delighted with our new home and over the moon with the help and support we have received from everyone at the Pontefract branch. Thank you!

Anthony · 27 March 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We could not have asked any more support, than the fantastic staff ( Gemma and Danielle ) provided at Martin & Co. Consistently kept us up to date with the sale of our house and 100% went above and beyond. Would highly recommend them to act on behalf of anyone selling their house!

Susanna · 4 July 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Fantastic service from start to finish. The best estate agents I have dealt with! I would like to give a particular mention to Gemma, she was always on the ball with everything, forever chasing and keeping me up to date with the progress. She is so genuine, honest and reliable. Thank you so much!

Nicola · 14 June 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

View Agents

Fantastic from start to finish

Fantastic service from start to finish. The best estate agents I have dealt with! I would like to give a particular mention to Gemma, she was always on the ball with everything, forever chasing and keeping me up to date with the progress. She is so genuine, honest and reliable. Thank you so much!

Nicola · 13 June 2025

★★★★★ 4.6/5

View Agents

Generally on top of everything with regular updates - great service

Lots of viewings initially and they found us a buyer within a month. Unfortunately, the buyer's buyer fell through, then he found another very fast, which then also fell through and so our original buyer pulled out, so Martin & Co had it back on the market the very same day! Second buyer found quickly, and it then took about two and a half months to complete - there was no chain on either end, so it should have happened a lot quicker that this, but the buyer's end was slow for some reason. Julie (sales rep at Martin and co) kept chasing it for us, and couldn't do enough. Thanks to Jools as well, who did the last viewing for us and clinched the sale. (There's four Julies at the Pontefract branch, so it can get confusing!!!) Everyone we've had contact with, from Lucy taking the photographs at the start, through to Julie's last contact with us, has been brill, even through the pandemic when many other companies have used it as an excuse to provide rubbish customer service!!! Not Martin and Co.'s service, which has been superb. Thank you very much Martin & Co Pontefract. We will be back if we ever need to buy or sell anything again. :)

Guy · 2 July 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Just completed my sale yesterday with Martin and Co. Julie Duff has been immensely helpful, professional and insightful from start to finish. Any complications that arose were calmly, fairly and compassionately dealt with and Julie offered advice on the whole sale process as it went through. Her links with local traders is extremely strong as well, so you know you're getting the best service all the way through, should they be required. Julie's colleagues in the office are also tremendously helpful. Genuinely cannot fault a single thing. Thank you so much for all your help.

Nick · 13 April 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

First time buyers and was looking at a property to put an offer in and be LAUGHED at by one of the agents and told to put in asking price to which we did only to be told the asking price wasn't enough and we had to add another 5 thousand. Don't advertise at a price if your wanting 5 grand more. Absolutely no help what so ever. Wouldn't recommend these if your a first time buyer

Tara · 4 March 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We used Martin & Co to sell our house, Lucy who came and valued it was so lovely and professional. Then we dealt with Jules while it all went through and there were alot of delays due to the chain we were in but Jules kept us updated the whole time and was so nice to deal with, nothing was ever too much for her and she also kept in touch with the solicitors too. I can’t recommend martin and co enough, thank you so much! We will definitely be using them again if we ever need too :)

Jodie · 13 April 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Would heartily recommend Pontefract Martin & Co Estate agents. Why bother with the faceless, target driven, pushy estate agents in town when you can get an impeccable service and extensive exposure from this amazing team - their attributes shone through from start to finish... Brilliant to see how well the team knit together and clearly love their jobs too...Why wouldn't you want an enthusiastic and dedicated team selling your house? Julie was the bees knees, proactive even before I signed up! They were all efficient, friendly, professional, great communicators and negotiators with a wealth of experience and lashings of personality. A pleasure to do business with these guys, stress free and nothing too much trouble for any of them. Applaud everyone who works there. A fantastic estate agent with a personal touch. They definitely exceeded my expectations.

E · 29 February 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

View Agents

Brilliant

I had excellent service from Jules and Julie, they looked after me all the way through the process, kept in touch, and were proactive in making sure that the sale went smoothly. Jules was so effective at describing the selling points of my house, I almost felt like staying myself! If I hadn't moved completely out of the area, I would use them every single time I moved. Thank you so much!

Judith · 24 November 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Just sold my flat through Martin & co, its not being a easy task. They have helped me all along the way. A big thank you to Julie who has always been available to help and offer advice in a very friendly manner. Lucy was always happy to help in her absence. Genuinely felt like they cared no matter how long the process was taking. Cost of service very reasonable, and tailored to my requirements. They definitely earned every penny ! Thanks again ill be back when im ready to sell my 2nd property.

Donna · 5 July 2019

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

The whole team were superb - two tenants applied, we chose the first one to be fair, but they then didn't pass referencing, so we ended up with the second one; the whole process was done and dusted within a few weeks, despite the hold up caused by the first failure! Particular thanks to Helen who was extremely helpful, very friendly, and couldn't do enough to help; but the whole team at this estate agents is excellent, on the ball, and all work together to ensure that you get an excellent service. Thank you very much Martin & Co - we will definitely be using you next time we need a tenant (although hopefully, that will be a while!!).

G · 5 July 2019

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Recently sold my property with Martin & Co Pontefract. I put it on the market with them in January after not having much luck using (and paying up front for) Purple Bricks. A lot more viewings quickly led to an offer in May which completed last week. I have to say, in all my dealings with estate agents over the years, this has been by far the best experience from start to finish. Julie, Lucy and all the team at the Pontefract office have been professional, efficient and kept me informed throughout. I wont even consider using anyone else in the future. Save myself time and money and just come back to Martin & Co. Fantastic service 10/10.

Nick · 27 May 2019

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We are renting a property through Martin and Co, and Lucy and the team have been brilliant! They have replied to our many email correspondences quickly and have been lovely to talk to. My partner wanted to surprise me by picking the keys up earlier than I thought - and Lucy was so thoughtful that she called to speak with him directly as to not give it away!!! We have just moved to the area from Norfolk and their help and friendliness has made the transition so much nicer for us!!! A huge thank you from us!!!

AlexisAndLucy · 30 April 2019

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

We are renting a property through Martin and Co, and Lucy and the team have been brilliant! They have replied to our many email correspondences quickly and have been lovely to talk to. My partner wanted to surprise me by picking the keys up earlier than I thought - and Lucy was so thoughtful that she called to speak with him directly as to not give it away!!! We have just moved to the area from Norfolk and their help and friendliness has made the transition so much nicer for us!!! A huge thank you from us!!!

Alexis · 14 December 2018

★★★★★ 5/5

View Agents

Amazing Estate Agents

We purchased our house and was supported by Gemma in doing so. Gemma has been amazing throughout our full process, giving regular updates and always a fast response to any queries that we have had..extremely grateful! Would definitely recommend!! Holly

Holly · 14 August 2025