Martin and Co Southend-On-Sea reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!!

I'm a landlord and had Martin & Co Paisley rent out my flat. They found a couple with a 5 year old child and said they had been vetted etc. Turns out it was a family with 2 small children. Who completely ruined my flat: Large red stains on carpet which needed replaced, food crushed into carpets, chewing gum stomped into carpets, handles off walls, food splashed up walls, paint ripped off walls. This list was endless. Fortunately we had a trades person that we know to go in and replace thermostat valves on the radiators (still unsure how they were all missing??), because the gas engineer that M&Co. had to quote decided we needed a new radiator etc etc and the quote was over a grand! This was not required at all! Our gas engineer advised us on the very bad situation in our flat and I requested M&Co. carry out an immediate inspection. A week after the inspection I had to contact them to request an update. Shockingly, the agent I spoke to said that there was nothing wrong with the flat and that 'some people have higher living condition expectations than others'. Hmmm. yes tenants ruining my property is certainly my problem. As expected I challenged the agent's report to only be told that he had made a mistake and that the report he had given was of the flat above. The audacity of this company is next level.Eventually they admitted that there was a problem in the flat and that they had spoken to the tenants that they needed to clean up the mess.Thankfully these awful tenants moved out but I was left with a big mess and had to redecorate, replace carpets, take their broken belongings to the dump (yes the disgusting tenants left all their crap for me to dispose of, like I was their personal slave). They didn't even pay their full rent for the last month. Horrific creatures. And all along M&Co. kept taking their fees and making claiming the measly deposit and my rent extremely difficult.AWFUL COMPANY. NO PROFESSIONALISM. WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS LOT. COULDN'T ORGANISE A P*SS UP IN A BREWERY. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!!

Ashleigh · 1 April 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

A massive thankyou to Tui Donovan

A massive thankyou to Tui Donovan, an estate agent at Martin and co! So helpful throughout the whole process of buying our first home! She was amazing, couldn’t recommend her more :)

Isobella · 18 December 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Atrocious service

Atrocious service. I've had 5 appointments for a valuation and each time it's either been cancelled or the estate agent just hasn't turned up with no explanation. Given up now. I'll use someone else.

Janine · 29 November 2025

★★★★★ 4/5

Google

UPDATED REVIEW: After my post six months ago regarding waiting in most of the day for a property inspection, I'm pleased to say that the procedure for this must have been addressed as I had a further inspection today, a time frame was given and stuck to and the inspection was over in less than 10 minutes. The only downside is that a message I had left a couple of weeks ago hadn't made its way to the property management, but I have spoken to someone face to face today so hopefully my query will be followed up. __________________________________________ ORIGINAL REVIEW: I'm a tenant at a property managed by Martin and Co. I have found them to be very unhelpful and unorganised. I have six monthly property inspections, one booked for today (at the time of posting, prior to the edit below) which was confirmed almost two weeks ago. I was given no timeframe for this. It is now gone 1pm and I have had to wait in with two children in the summer holidays with no idea when someone will be turning up. I waited until midday before calling to query the inspection time and was told I'd get a call back regarding this. An hour passed and I'd heard nothing so had to call again to be told the same thing. It has been almost 40 minutes since the second call and still no one has been able to give me an answer as to when the agent is coming. They seem to forget that although it is not my property, it is my home. *Edit - I did eventually receive a call back and the agent was there within half an hour after that call. I was told there were staffing problems, which happens and cannot be begrudged, however a call in the morning to say this and to give a rough estimate of time would still be helpful. Even as little as saying a "morning" or "afternoon" slot.

Kelly · 22 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

The first time I rented via Martin & Co Southend, I only realised how crafty they were when I moved out and they done me in for £200 'cos I hadn't trimed back a hedge..!! I've now had no option but to rent through them for my recent property. They were very helpful indeed whilst applying for the property..but now that we're in they are a nightmare to get hold of. All I need is a simple plug socket that wasn't working when we moved in to be fixed and after leaving 3 voicemails and 2 emails I've heard nothing back and it's been 2 weeks! 😩 Edit: Well it seems I was premature in my recent judgement..the electrician came round soon after we were given the correct details for their repairs booking system, which we have had to use 2 more times since and so far we have had very quick responses. Have updated to 5 stars. P.s You probably couldn't find details of previous rental because I use my middle name on Google but the property was 117a St Helen's Rd and was in 2012 when I lived there

Daniel · 22 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

As a tenant, I am happy with the services from Martin and Co. As a property manager, they are very responsive when I need to contact my landlord over any concerns. They also contact me via phone calls, text and email which suits me and my availability with work. They also carry out regular quarterly inspections at a time that suits me which is great so I can see my property manage face to face. When calling I’m rarely left on hold and being a first time tenant for over a year now I would recommend their services to others. :)

Djennenicolee · 22 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I’ve been renting my flat in Leigh on sea for several years with Martin & Co. The team at the Westcliff office have always gone the extra mile, particularly in testing times when we have needed to address maintenance issues and replace kitchen and other necessary goods and amenities. Their professionalism and calm courteous approach is reassuring. And more importantly they have kept my flat occupied 100% of the rentable year, I’ve had Only very short spells of vacant possession/changeover between tenants and in pretty much all cases the quality of tenant has been high and reliable. I’ve no reason to seek a change to our arrangements going forward and will hopefully be renting with them for years to come.

John · 22 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I have been a tenant with Martin and Co now for 1 year, from arranging the viewing, to moving in my process was very simple and although I threw many complications at the company during the reference check period my process was very easy and smooth going for me on my end, I was on a very tight turn around and was moved into my flat with quickness and ease. Any issues I have faced in the flat have been viewed and resolved within a week. My property is maintained very well. The staff have kept me informed and given plenty of notice if anyone is Inspecting the building or my flat. Lastly I always get quick and clear responses when I have any questions. It feels as though the company go above and beyond for me and I’m sure others feel the same. I’m very happy with my first year as a tenant.

Bethany · 22 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Martin & Co in Tamworth have been so…

Martin & Co in Tamworth have been so helpful when I rented a property in Fazeley and when I left my tennancy they were so supportive . Laura is so lovely, when I experienced a few problems Laura helped me resolve them, she has wonderful customer service skills and is genuinely very caring I would definately score them 10/10 and would use them again. Thank you

Barbara · 17 September 2019

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

i have genuinely had the worst…

i have genuinely had the worst experience with these estate agents. i have a property manager called natasha scott who is the most horrid, rude and vile person on earth. she deliberately does spiteful things like telling me the wrong date when my rent would be due or ignoring emails or even trying to sabotage my rent renewal and this has been going on for a year. please avoid this agency.

Fb · 30 August 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!! terrible customer service and they couldn't care less about the tenants and they don't seem to have a clue about tenancy laws and seem quite happy to breach tenancy agreements with no regards for anyones feelings or situation. I've had a lovely and peaceful 9 year tenancy until these morons took over and its now all stress and upset. So angry.

Sarah-Louise · 1 December 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Martin and co. helped me in getting the house of my choice. Especially Reece and Leanne levy. Bob proved to be very cooperative and helpful in sorting out all my issues.

Hamraj · 22 June 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Martin & Co, Bury St Edmunds

Really good service, nothing too much trouble and we were always kept informed. A special mention to Tamara she was excellent going above and beyond with the service she provided. Thank you.

Greeno · 25 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I have been trying for several weeks to speak to someone regarding a property that has been listed for months. I went to their office this morning to find it closed. I called while outside and was told that they are open (closed sign on the door and all lights off) and that somebody will be phoning me back immediately - nobody has contacted me. I am in a desperate situation to find somewhere else to live or me and my child will be on the streets

Sarah · 22 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I have spent almost 3 weeks trying to book a viewing for a rental property but have been unable to speak to the lettings team. Every time I call it goes through to a central team, who record a callback request without any follow up. I can only imagine how useless Martin & Co would be managing a rental property if they can’t even return a phone call

Edward · 22 June 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

A game of two halves

My tenancy was between March-September 2021 (in Nottingham) but have been convinced to now share my experience. The short version: great during the tenancy, but awful experience during the process of getting new tenants in and the deposit returned. Deposit took weeks to eventually go to a dispute I later won.First, I will re-iterate that during most of the tenancy Courtney (with whom I had most dealing) was very attentive and quick to resolve issues. The issues began when the tenancy was nearing its end and viewings needed to be arranged for prospective next tenants. I received a phone call on a Friday about booking viewings for the following week to which I mentioned Wednesday possibly being suitable but asked for a follow up call on Monday to be sure. I didn’t receive the call but on Monday I was told unexpectedly that there was a spot open on Wednesday to receive a covid vaccine. I informed Courtney that Wednesday would no longer work as I could be feeling rather ill from the vaccine but this was met with a sour response citing our responsibilities as tenants to allow viewings to occur and how viewings for the Monday already had to be cancelled, and cancelling twice would not look good on them. After explaining that I had never agreed to viewings on the Monday - a string of emails were sent back and forth which made clear that despite the fact I was still a tenant there, getting the next tenant in was far more important than my well-being. Turns out the vaccine floored me but they went ahead with the viewings anyway (the agent conducting them didn’t even bring keys so I had to leave them mine).I will spare the details on the deposit other than to say they (Courtney and James) tried to claim money for almost anything they could - right or wrong, and fought very hard over email to get this money, often not actually responding to the concerns I raised. These emails were included in a multiple page report I ended up making explaining why their claims were not valid. The dispute went in my favour in the end after weeks and weeks. I feel like a lot of people wouldn’t bother putting that effort into a dispute and they often just get their money.The end experience is why I wouldn’t recommend Martin & Co unless you enjoy being stressed at the end of a tenancy.

Ciaran · 15 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Most unprofessional estate agents I…

Most unprofessional estate agents I have ever dealt with in Ipswich. Met with a very unkempt agent who took phones calls instead of showing us around the property. We then called up to make an offer and was told " we can't cope with that here it has to be done by email" we made a final offer 5k over the asking price, that was 4 working days ago - 6 including the weekend and we have had no communication what so ever from them. I emailed a complaint to the general manager and no surprise, no response. Would never view a property with them again and would certainly never sell through them. Dreadful service!

Vicky · 13 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Horrible management!

We are renting a flat under their management, and for four months they have neglected to repair the roof, which leaks every time it rains.

A.A · 31 January 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Family orientated company always…

Family orientated company always helpful in any circumstance brilliant company they have been more than helpful to me.Sylvettex.

Sylvette · 27 March 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Avoid Martin & Co Leicester like the plague!

Awful experience from start to finish with Martin & Co in Leicester. Utterly poor Communication was terrible. We were told throughout we’d receive confirmations via email that never happened. Our viewing was cancelled on the day of, with no explanation. We understand this can happen but was then offered another date which was 10 days later!The agent on the phone was like a robot who couldn’t give us a straight answer - it was painful.Then when we arrived at the property, it was a completely different flat to what we had viewed online - same location but a completely different property and was filthy!No apologies or explanation from the agent when we asked - even though he said he knew the images online were incorrect. Nobody bothered to email or call us and let us know?!?Awful experience and will never ever rent or buy a property through Martin & Co Leicester - avoid like the plague

Jess · 26 January 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

BROKEN POLICIES & HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL

THIS IS FOR THE NEWARK BRANCH - NG24 1XPI HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE REVIEWS AND I COMPLETELY AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING THINGS:WORST LETTING AGENTS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED TILL DATE1- THEY ARE VERY UNPROFESSIONAL WHEN IT COMES TO ACKNOWLEDGING OR RESPONDING TO EMAIL, I HAVE TRAILS OF EMAILS WHERE IN THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY RESPONDED WEEKS LATER AND SOMETIMES EVEN MONTHS LATER.2- THEY WILL SHREWEDLY TAKE AWAY A BIT CHUNK OF YOUR DEPOSIT (SOMETIME THE WHOLE AND EVEN SOME MORE), I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY SOME TO HAVE TAKEN THEM TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT, I NEEDED THE MONEY URGENTLY SO I DID NOT BUT DONT BE BULLIED BY THEM AND IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BEEN MASSIVELY OVERCHARGED, PLEASE TAKE THAT ROUTE YOU WILL NOT COME OUT BAD.3- THEY HAVE MENTIONED "UNFORTUNATELY THEY WILL NOT ABLE TO USE THE CONTRACTOR WE HAD REQUESTED", IT IS NOT IN THEIR RIGHTS TO DECIDE WHICH CONTRACTOR THEY CAN GO WITH. ITS ALL A MONEY MAKING BUSINESS. I HAVE A PROOF OF THEIR QUOTATION AND CAN TRAIL BACK WITH THE ACCOUNTS TEAM OF THE CLEANING COMPANY TO CHECK WHAT AMOUNT THEY HAVE RECEIVED AND DIG DEEP, WHICH I WILL BE DOING.4- AFTER THE FINAL CHECK, WE WERE TOLD ABOUT 3 THINGS FOR WHICH THE DEPOSIT WILL BE USED BUT THEN WHEN THE QUOTATION ARRIVED IT INCLUDED MANY MORE. ITS A SHAME WHAT THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHER'S RESOURCES. BAD GOVERNANCE AND NOT BEING BONAFIDE.5- THEY ALSO CHARGED US FOR EXTRA RENT FOR A DAY. WE GAVE THEM ONE MONTHS NOTICE ON THE 8TH NOV STAYING WE WILL LEAVE ON THE 15TH DEC. BECAUSE 15 TO 15 WAS OUR PAY CYCLE. INSTEAD WE SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN 14TH DEC. THEY CHARGED US FOR 15TH WHEN IN REALITY WE HANDED OVER THE KEYS TO THEM ON THE 13TH ITSELF. WE ONLY HAD AN OPTION TO INCREASE OUR CONTRACT BY 6 OR 12 MONTHS BUT THEY JUST TOOK THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET 16GBP FOR FREE. IT ABSOLUTELY MAKES NO SENSE. SOPHIE WAS RUDE AND FULL OF FALSE PRIDE ON THE CALL.FINALLY, BE VERY CAREFUL. WE GOT TO KNOW FROM THE MARKET THAT THEY HAVE A BAD REPUTATION AND OFTEN REFERRED TO AS COWBOYS.I DONT WANT TO NAME ANYMORE, BUT THE WHOLE TEAM WAS A NIGHTMARE. THEY WILL IGNORE YOU AND ONLY RESPOND WHEN ITS FOR THEIR BENEFIT.BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL.GET IT CLEANED YOURSELF OR SOME AGENCY BUT DONT GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOT YOU.THEY TOOK 222GBP FOR CLEANING FROM US, WHICH WAS REDICULOUS.IN A YEARS TIME THAT TOO JUST IMAGINE WOULD THE OWNER PAY THAT MUCH FOR CLEANING IF HE USED HIS OWN PROPERTY.THEIR CONCEPT OF WEAR AND TEAR IS BROKEN AND NEED THE FLAT JUST AS BRAND NEW. JOKE.THIAGO WAS THE ONLY HOPE, ATLEAST HE RESPONDED TO MAILS AND CALLS.

Hitansh · 23 January 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Lack of communication with me and with…

Lack of communication with me and with people trying to make offers.Very poor and confusing messages. I also had a message saying a customer has cancelled his viewing appointment as no longer interested.I did not know of this appointment and wonder if he's cancelled due to a lack of response from Purple bricks.I complain and ask for an explanation and not an apology - I just get an apology and no explanation.GET YOUR FINGER OUT ITS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Red · 11 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

No hot water

We are currently waiting on hot water as our boiler has stopped working. This is day 2 and have made 3 phone calls so far to which we have been told the same thing, someone will call you back. Doesn’t look like we will have any today either. We can’t bath or shower, I have 4 children and am due today to have my 5th. As I was planning on a home birth and using the bath as pain relief I am now extremely anxious as to when I will go into labour. After doing my research I have found out that it is in fact a breach of the landlord and tenant act 1985 to be without heating or hot water for more than 48 hours and after this alternative accommodation should be found which by 4 o clock tomorrow I will be enforcing. Never had this problem before after over 10 years of renting.

Rebecca · 3 February 2019

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Don’t go with them! We had a living nightmare

We asked them to fix the carpet which wasn’t secured properly but they never fixed it, the house had a damp problem and they were so rude about it, they hired someone to install vents which made the house freezing, the workmen said they had covers for them we could use for when it got cold and they never gave them to us. When we wanted to leave they made us pay an extra months rent (which they blagged with some fine print in the agreement and never really explained to us). So they say you’re on a rolling contract but when you want to leave they will charge you 2 months rent … When we left we cleaned the place to an inch of our lives and they are claiming that the fire alarm is missing, that we haven’t swept the chimney (which we have and we never used the fireplace) and they are saying they want to replace the carpet and we have to pay 300 out of our deposit for that. They are also really rude over the phone

Shaun · 10 January 2024