Trusted Agent profile · St Albans
★★★★★
797 reviews across 2 platforms
36 High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2SX, St Albans, AL5 2SX
Part of Hamptons, see every office.
Hamptons's office in St Albans, at 36 High Street, is rated 1.8 out of 5 across 797 reviews on two platforms, including 31 Google reviews rated 4.4.
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Every review we hold for the St Albans office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
1/5
TrustpilotThe Valuer tried all sorts of bribery…
The Valuer tried all sorts of bribery to get me to list my house for sale with them - even was offered me a job as a ‘home stager’ if I listed with them! But I had to sign a contract first!! Saw the mortgage advisor who quickly lost interest in me because I would not sell through the agent - and he did not bother to follow up my application. A big thumbs down from me . Avoid.
1/5
TrustpilotBirmingham branch
I made the mistake of renting a flat through them and was trapped with a lease that the CAB told me gave me no rights at all when I went to them for help. Major repairs were not carried out. In a moment of madness I considered buying a flat that they were marketing. When I decided not to go ahead the person I was dealing with sent a rude email to which I did not reply. I will not use them to sell, buy or rent a property.
1/5
TrustpilotDisgusting service
I don’t even want to give 1 star, the service I have received through the Aylesbury branch and Leighton Buzzard branch is disgusting. I was a tenant and connells unfortunately was the letting agent I paid all my rent on time never missed and gave one months notice when I wanted to move out of the property so I did everything right,now they are saying that I didn’t give notice when I have an e-mail to prove it and they are trying to charge me 3,350 in rent that I don’t owe!!!
2/5
TrustpilotThe worst letting agency ever conceived
If there were awards for the worst letting agency ever operating, they would be winning every single one of them. I have heard some really bad opinions from people who used to deal with them but decided to view a house anyway, as it did seem perfect for me. First meeting - they have got the wrong pair of keys so I was unable to view it - wasted 30 minutes of my life.Second viewing, rescheduled - no one from the agency showed up - waited 15 minutes and went home laughing. Why would they ask 420 British Pounds of administration fee for jokes like this? It's a shame companies like these control so many decent houses in England, blocking the market essentially.
1/5
TrustpilotAbsolutely useless
Absolutely useless. Over-priced our house to get our business then suggested a significant price drop within two or three weeks. Now claiming that they said from the start that an offer £150K less than their suggested asking price would be an extremely good one! The initial prospectus had loads of faults - listing it as a three bed when it's a four bed, for starters - and communication has been terrible. We haven't had a single viewing in the four months that it's been on the market - which is bizarre even if it is over-priced - so I've given up and taken it off. Complete waste of time - do not use this lot even if they promise to chuck in a golden helicopter and a couple of unicorns as part of the deal for selling your house.
2/5
TrustpilotLeighton Buzzard Branch
Last week we had validation booked in to validate our property between 10-1.My partner requested if we could be given an accurate time but they said they could not do this.They did say they could give us a call 30minutes before so we were prepared for their visit.It got to 12:35pm and they still made no contact.I rang the office and the lady said He must of got delayed at another property and she would give him a call and he would call my partner.He called my partner who was at work and said he would be at the property for 1:40pm! When he came to my flat he could see I was evidently annoyed and he apologised and said he could of came to me this morning but he thought he had to meet me outside the property 30minutes before and sorry for the confusion.This wasn’t the case as we never requested to meet outside the property 30minutes before,we asked go be called 30minutes before so we knew when he was arriving.He didn’t bother to contact us to let us know he was going to be late,only when he was late after we had called!The office do not answer there calls and you have to ring a good 3 different times to get through to them.From my experience so far I don’t recommend..
1/5
TrustpilotAvoid wherever possible.....
Appalling communication with their own staff and with prospective buyers. They don't return calls; lie regarding receiving information requested, to the point they don't even bother to cover the fact when forwarding said information, saying they've 'just' received it but it was clearly received 1 week + before; will continue to show prospective buyers around properties and take details of offers After previous offers have been accepted whilst leaving you waiting and hoping that your offer has been accepted and all this will take in excess of a month!! When tackled about this, they will try to bluff their way through conversations, When you manage to speak to someone who usually doesn't have a clue what's going on! They obviously get paid so much commission they don't have to consider customer service for either vendor or buyer!!! If it were possible to give a minus star, I'd recommend that!
1/5
TrustpilotIf I could give no stars I would
If I could give no stars I would. Hinckley branch over valued my house be almost £40k said it would sell easy. ( we know agent don’t sell houses, people buy them). Put it on market with them at £30k below their valued price. Not one viewing. Do they know how to value property???Even wanted £140 to take special photos!!!! So much for no sale no fee. Good job I didn’t take up their offer. Looking to move, saw a property in tha the area we wanted, a 2.5 hour drive. Booked a viewing, arrived but they didn’t. Phone then to be told property had been taken off market some 3 weeks earlier, but hadn’t been updated on their systems. What a shambles. Stear clear of these agents at all costs. ,
1/5
TrustpilotHarassment
All I will say is, read every review on this company and times it by a thousand for the Basingstoke branch, even the head office the entire staff are all rude and to keep telephoning my elderly parents has made me see red, I have just been accused of shouting, well if putting a point across to the person is shouting I think the customer contact needs addressing, shame on you! Upsetting elderly folk who told you last year they wanted no dealings with you, to keep harassing them now, once more will be a solicitors letter.
1/5
TrustpilotGetting your deposit back is a struggle
11 days after the landlord instructed them to release the deposit with no deductions, I'm still waiting. Apparently they're having IT issues and can't send an email to some team for them to release the funds. Asked what the complaints procedure was and they refused to provide it. Stay clear if you're looking for a rental property. 75% 1 star reviews says it all....
1/5
TrustpilotIt's as bad as it is possible to be
It's as bad as it is possible to be. Just awful in every regard. Do not give them your card details, no matter what they tell you to get the money out of you. I cannot believe they can still operate when they behave in such an appalling manner. All their properties are advertised elsewhere, so if you see their name against a property, just keep on looking and find a proper agent to rent through.
1/5
TrustpilotAVOID AVOID AVOID
AVOID AVOID AVOIDI wasn't going to write this as I feel reviews are an unfair reflection upon a company but in this case people need to be warned. Such an unprofessional company. The staff at the Maidstone office treat you like dirt and feel the need to be rude down the phone having a go because you made a complaint about them. When actually this girl with an attitude which is horrific has spoken down to you all through the process of moving out. No contact when you move out and no help with getting the deposit back. I rung today to try and sort this out without raising a dispute through the TDS however was met with hostility over me not being happy with the service received. I have charges on my credit card because I need this money to pay off an essential purchase for our new home. Caused upset and stress all the way. Now because of a member of staff at the Maidstone office with a chip on her shoulder I am raising a dispute. I cannot describe how angry this experience has made me. This is such a shame as my dealings with my landlord and the manager of the Maidstone branch have always been positive. Very bitter taste has been left in my mouth.
1/5
TrustpilotAbsolutely avoid like the plague
Absolutely avoid like the plague! From start to finish, I have never in my experience dealt with such uncouth, absurd and depressingly unprofessional agents. At the beginning of the sale, there was an air of niceness: when I was first shown the property, everything seemed OK. All questions were clarified and answered, brochures were given and information was made available. Or so I thought...The second I offered my selling price, I was immediately hounded for solicitor details. As a first time buyer, the process of buying was incredibly new to me and so I was very miffed at this strange pressure that I was facing. Then for a short while, everything seemed OK...surveys took place, the solicitors completed all the paperwork and the vendor and I (at the time) managed to secure a solid relationship to ease the stressful nature and process of buying...All of a sudden came the day of exchange and completion. This is where things went utterly wrong and woeful. The agent that had initially shown me the property uttered depraved slander about me to my Mother (who had collected the keys on my behalf) which utterly infuriated me. But worst of all was the management. Never have I had to deal with so many lies. It's actually laughable. After nearly 4 weeks after exchange, the "for sale" sign is still outside my door. I have contractors coming in to start work and that to me just spells absolutely disastrous customer service. Throughput this whole process, it has been a trainwreck and a nightmare. The process of buying is never easy and you need an agent that can soothe and ease all your concerns. That has absolutely not been the case for me whatsoever. If there is any final advice I can give to anyone, it's this: run. Run as far away as possible because this estate agent will just use and abuse. Take it from me, if you see a property you like, do not buy through them.
1/5
TrustpilotConnell are the worst of the worst
as a customer potential buyer I am frankly disgusted with connelIs in Northampton I viewed a house which is listed with them and put an offer through I was told they would get back to me after a whole week I had heard anything then they called me as they were trying to book me in for a mortgage appointment at this point they still hadn't mentioned any thing about the house I put an offer in on, any ways I told they I didnt think I needed a morgage appointment beacuse I had been offered a morgage in principle with someone else, they tried to talk me in to getting another morgage buy to rent so basically I must have to morgages hmm ok , I said I was still not intrested i was quite content with my current situation low and behold I was then transfered to to they asked me who my house was listed with and tried to persuade me in to listing my house with them, and finallly I asked about the house I put an offer in on, he gave me this whole sop story about who he knew the people that live there and blah blah blah, and finianly said ohh I dont think they would except this offere as it too low just trying to get me to up my offer they are cheeky and use dirty tactics, if they not tryign to sell you other services which is all they did they trying to get you to cough up alot more money on offeres, they do not care about thier sellers or buyers they all about sales and a buyer or a seller is just ££££ signs to them wait hold on arent estate agents obligated by to notify the seller of all offers the fact he said oh I don't think he will suggest they haven't even notified the seller after 2 weeks of me viewing the property which I am now going to report to the The Property Ombudsman. I am also so glad I have not listed my house with them as a seller who knows what offers they don't tell you about, and also from a buying point of view what a horrible experience they are the biggest crooks in the field so please do be careful
1/5
TrustpilotLook at the star rating...
Look at the star rating... it says so much From the moment I moved in, stains and filth were missed off the inventory and it took them 3 week (post moving in), to take an accurate description of the condition of the flat, baring in mind neighbours had warned me of underhand tactics The lettings management team don’t respond to correspondence, they took 17 weeks to fix a minor issue and then they’re now delaying on further more significant repairs and issuesAvoid at all costs
1/5
TrustpilotAVOID THIS AGENCY AT ALL COSTS
As a property manager with 12 years’ experience never have I ever had the misfortune of dealing with such a bunch of unprofessional, rude and incompetent people. Even if you happen to speak to the managers they are just as bad. Its as though no one working at the company cares about its reputation or repeat business. They literally treat you as though you are an inconvenience to them. We are a professional landlord with a portfolio of over 100 properties, I would dread to think how they would treat a one off landlord with little knowledge. The Colchester branch let our property approx. 6 weeks ago. When we instructed them we asked for a rent guarantee policy to be taken out (in writing as part of our instruction letter), after chasing for the policy for 2 weeks after the tenant moved in I was eventually told this had not been done and wouldn’t be done as they don’t provide this service unless they manage the property. I mentioned that it was included in bold in our instruction letter and the “area manager” said do you have in writing where we agreed to this… RIDICULOUS, by accepting the property and letting it that in-itself its agreeing to the terms. . I was given their terms and conditions to sign AFTER the tenants moved in and told they wouldn’t transfer any of the rent until they received the T&C’s back signed (despite us not agreeing with the terms).. in effect BLACKMAIL.To date we still have not had all the move in money from them, they are refusing to give us a statement with a breakdown of the money collected from the tenants/ their fee etc and we now have no other option then to seek legal advice from our solicitors. They have taken a fee from the move in monies without our consent, we do not even know what amount and we have never signed t&c's. Its unbelievable.As a professional landlords we have found them EXTREMLEY difficult and uncooperative and we have the benefit of experience and knowledge on our side. Unless you are prepared for a lengthy battle to get your money & paperwork AVOID THIS AGENCY AT ALL COSTS.
1/5
TrustpilotWednesbury Branch
Wednesbury Branch. I was moving house last Dec. They advised my home will be ready [new build] It wasnt ready till Feb. I was made homeless and they refused my complaint took my money deposit and fees and refused to refund. Avoid connells if it's your a 1st time buyer or need a home urgently as they are known to let you down. They also called me a liar when I advised I was garanteed my new home will be ready before xmas day, poor communication once my deposit was paid. Their management dont care about customer services once payment has been made. I would seriously avoid this company at all costs. Also from my expereince if your buying a new house go directly to the vender. Avoid connells like a plague. I have also cancelled all my investments and any b2b links as well as my associates as a result of this very poor and rude service.
1/5
TrustpilotHorrible experience
My flatmate and I rent a property in St Albans last January for 6 months and all were problems. When my flatmate and I decided leave the property, they spent 3 months to give our deposit back and it was a horrible experience. The landlord only wanted our money. He said the property was dirty, when it was totally false. They checked the property 2 weeks after we leave and it's normal that the flat had some dust, obviously! They took 100 pounds in concept of cleaning... yes, 100 pounds! When the first day we arrived to the flat it was really, really dirty (for example; the freezer had a lot of ice with food on it, imagine?) and they didn't give us any reason. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE, anyway
1/5
TrustpilotAvoid at all cost.
This company is the worse you could deal with. They would never stick to what they say. To get your deposit back even after your land lord has released it, it will take you ages. I am here calling them everyday to get my deposit back for past 2 weeks I been given lies after lies. Unprofessional service. The management on the top level is the worst. This company hasn't got a long road given the reviews it seems it's not only the bedford branch, they don't care nationwide once they have your money and tries to get away with it. Day light Robers. Please avoid dealing with this rubbish people altogether to save you from big stress in the future.
1/5
Trustpilottravelled 1 1/2 hours to viewing and no agent to be seen....
I never have thought that an estate agent would simply not bother to turn up at a viewing . The owner was in when arrived and was invited in after 30 minutes of waiting outside, but kindly refused thier hospitality as it was awkward for both parties, and also not appropriate that the owner feels they should have to invite the viewer inside to have a look around the property without an accompanying agent. Travelling from another county taking 1 1/2 hours travelling time to get to the viewing appointment after work,... tired and then to be let down,....... no communication from the agent to at least make contact if there was a problem at any point,...and not to mention the time and money wasted to get there. The next working day made a call to the agent's and knew nothing of the appointment so was told that the agent who made the appointment would be in the next following day, and was told that they would make contact and said it appeared thier was some kind of mix up. The next day, still no contact from them. As a cash buyer,... the owner of the property may have a different perspective on who to market thier property....
1/5
TrustpilotVery disappointing
Very disappointing. Basingstoke agency used to purchase a property. Took 2 weeks to answer questions relating to property condition. Fobbed off each time with a "I'll get back to you tomorrow" response.. chased everyday for an answer and did not get one until funnily enough I decided enough was enough communication was poor and ended my correspondence with the company. Unprofessional attitudes across the phone when dealing with more than reasonable sensible questions that any potential buyer would ask when investing in a property. Thoroughly disappointed and would certainly not recommend!!!
1/5
TrustpilotUnprofessional letting agency
Absolutely useless people. Such an unprofessional letting agency. They agreed with the new tenant when he is going to move in which was by the way overlapping our contract as we payed for the whole month, and they have not even notified us about this. After realising that they messed this up these two people tried to force us to move out within 2 days. No communication, no response and 1 month later they still owe us money. I definitely take this case to the court. Not recommended!!!
2/5
TrustpilotWas told if we were to use there …
Was told if we were to use there mortgage advisor and there services we would get a buyers incentive of £1000. So we did but near the end we lost the property on the survey saying steel construction and not mortgageable fair enough just look again. Found another house and put in a bid on the assumption we would get the buyers incentive like we were told and we even asked before we put the bid in then was told the property owners haven't signed up to this so we wouldn't get the incentive. We were told from the start if we use there services we would get it but what they didn't say was you only get if if the seller signs up to it. Think they have been misleading in not telling us this and getting to sign up to use there advisor. So we might lose the next house now.
1/5
Trustpilot£1000 Buyers Incentive
I've just been bought through connells. Unknown to them we had met the vendor. We put in an offer, and got a phone call from the vendor. He had been passed on the offermminus £1000. He contacted them find out why....very interesting explanation. (We weren't going to use in-house solicitors and had our own mortgage broker. Why on earth would I take their offer of £1000 Off when I would pay their broker more than mine? )Anyway, buyers incentive goes like this, according to vendor. I haven t seen the paperwork, so don't know for sure. If we accept in house broker and solicitor we get £1000 off the asking price. And give connells full control and sight of all our correeponce too...... BUT as we didn't do that they then increase their fee to the vendor by £1000 ostensibly as it's takes much more effort to check our finances and identity as we are not using their in house companies.....So it's a rubbish deal for the vendor and buyer. I also got told they couldn't accept an AIP from my bank! As The EA didn't understand the document and needed us to go through their broker. That's their job, isn't it?So anyone looking to sell their house, read the small print, buyers incentive makes your property less attractjve.
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Tell us what you need and we'll put you in touch. Hamptons Harpenden Sales hasn't joined The Trusted Agent yet, so we'll pass your enquiry to them or to up to three other top-rated agents near St Albans.
