What can I say about Acquire Estate Agents that's positive? Frankly very little. The only possible thing I could think of is I now have an easy answer when asked the question 'Who are the worst people you have ever dealt with?'
However, if you a landlord that sees tenancy as zero sum and likes to play the game 'see if we can trick tenants into signing this agreement' and banking on finding another bunch of gullible idiots one year hence (as opposed to a constructive relationship that benefits all parties), then you have found your match!
Right from my very first dealing, these charlatans have been incompetent, rude and deceptive. First, we were 'gazumped'. Even after they took a deposit from us, they threatened us with losing our tenancy unless we paid more money. Obviously alarm bells should have started ringing, but we decided to carry on. They said they had another offer (even though apparently no more viewings), so I highly doubt that was true.
Secondly, they even got the date of the tenancy wrong (even after we signed the agreement!). This meant that we couldn't move in until after our current tenancy expired. This meant moving our stuff all across London twice in a week. Yet did we get any compensation or even an apology? Of course not.
Throughout the tenancy, any problems (there were LOADS of problems, but obviously not all of these were the agents fault. However, you should make of that what you will when you consider the agent's quality of property they are listing) were dealt with in a confrontational way and with their Managing Director in essence lying to us about our rights. I think this must be from a deep seated insecurity. Anyone that has to list all of his academic achievements on his email signature (and even list them on his website, with the logo of his University!), must be trying to make up for something.
If you are reading this, please try and find another agent. Go to some reputable agents like Douglas and Gordon, KFH or John D. Wood. God, even Foxtons would be better. It might mean paying more in admin fees, but trust me, it will be the best money you've ever spent if it means you never have to deal with Acquire. read more