Northwood Bristol have managed my property several years now, and the reason I remain with them,…read moresimple, they provide a high quality service, value for money and must important I trust them. Throughout, inspections have been regular and thorough, and they've done a sterling job in helping me navigate the ever changing rental rules and licensing imposed on landlords by BCC. If you're a Bristol landlord thinking of using an agent, look no further than these.

This is a warning to any landlord who want to let their property with Northwood 271 North Street…read moreBristol BS3 1JN .I signed over my property to Northwood in A1 condition on 11/2/2013 my experience with them was good until things went very bad. Northwood informed me of a problem at the property with a leak coming from the roof and I agreed for their contractor to carry out an assessment of the works required to remedy this. But to my Horror when I got the report from their contractor it said, I quote "Note- This is the worst case of moisture I have seen, taking into account the roof space has vent tiles the only way moisture drops would permanently drip like that is extreme heat being used or vented into the loft space. I have only seen this before in a customer's house where cannabis was being grown. Evidence found growing lights and extractor fans found in cupboard upstairs whilst I was checking all ceilings for damp.Emergency action is needed before all roofing and ceiling timbers are lost". When the problem was identified Northwood initially took liability and instructed their contractor IronGates Property Services to start the works on the roof. This resulted in scaffolding being erected. They then told IronGates Property Services to halt the works on the basis of a police report, which was done days after. When they had already informed the tenants that they were coming to carry out an inspection of the property. On receiving their report I contacted Northwood office where I was informed that I was liable for this damage and that my insurers would have to deal with it.My insures said"With reference to your claim for damage to the roof unfortunately we are unable to assist you in this matter as your policy excludes "Any loss or damage caused as a result of the property being used for illegal activities." I then asked for copies of their regular maintenance checks reports. 30/1/2014 I was sent only one report dated 19/6/2013. This report was in my opinion of a very low standard and looks as if it was completed without a full check of my property being carried out. The main reason for me choosing Northwoods over other management companies was their assurance of regular checks on my property. One check in fourteen months does not adhere to their promise of regular checks. One of my main concerns was that if the property was having regular checks with reports being carried out as I was informed it would be done as part of their managed property service, is that this problem would have never occurred. Also they had as many as 8 people living at my property what was never agreed with me. It was let on agreement that no more than 3 people would be residing at the property. Also complaints about noise due to band practices at the address caused hostilities towards me from neighbors that I have always had a good relationship with. I was prepared to let this matter rest on the assurance that they would make good all works necessary to put my property back to A1 condition. But Northwood just tried to get out off the contracted and there responsibility's which left me with a £7,200.00 bill. Northwood Said"As previously advised, we have started the process of recovering possession of the property and suggest at the point that we receive possession, we hand the property back to you after we have fulfilled our contractual responsibilities. It is probably in both parties' interests to terminate our agreement at this point." I Do hope they do what is right as I just can't afford to lose this kind of money.

I used Ocean Lettings for 3 and half years as a renter, When we had the first person who looked…read moreafter our property Janna all was well until towards the end of our tenancy a man named Jacob took over. During our year with Jacob, it took 6 months to respond to a broken tap that had rotted away and mould all over the bathroom (we had just had a baby - this was a big concern of ours) 6 months, until we said we were not going to pay our rent until something was done about it. Our other problem was which we noted to contractor that our upstairs blinds were broken (one wouldn't close the other always open) Which after 3 and half years to me is fair wear and tear / a problem that was meant to be fixed. We decided to move out, we spent nearly £400 on getting it returned to the way we left it Over £200 of that was a professional clean and carpet clean. Re painting some things ect When we came to move out the workmen were already in fixing and the sign out sheet was done. We had a 7 day clause in our cleaning contract for them to re visit for anything the estate agents felt wasn't right. I emailed the day after (I actually know the contractor and he told me Ocean had been in and did the check out sheet) No response... for two weeks. It eventually took over a month for Jacob to email over the report... but not with charges they wanted to charge us with. Again more emails sent, phone calls, we popped in. No answer. Just that it's with 'contractors' Although the new tenets had already moved in (we only moved around the corner) They were withholding our deposit and as a young family it's been hard work with getting enough money together to move in the first place. Again weeks past and we get a response saying we will be told tomorrow how much they want to deduct... We again two weeks later get a response after loads of chasing... With a completely unfair amount to be taken off... so we respond with our case and evidence... Nothing. Then eventually something but not actually responding to the evidence and answering the questions asked - like how much we have made on the deposit from interest ect Again three weeks NOTHING. It's been nearly 3 months without much contact ect It's frustrating as we worked out we paid over £33,000 for the years we lived there and now we have moved out not even a response! We had no other option than to take it to Bristol Council and TDS and citizens advice. Again they haven't responded to the TDS Jacob has been the least trustworthy agent I have worked with and I advise anyone not to rent with Ocean if you want to actually organise getting your deposit back in a good amount of time / get works done to your house. I've been with a lot of crappy estate agents but this has been the worst and most stressful experience of moving out / my last year with them and I've rented with CJ Hole... So that's saying a lot! There no on the tenets side, they just want your money... and are trying to charge for the most unreasonable things. I look forward to their response from the TDS

Ocean Lettings is one half of the Ocean Estate Agents, do not make the same mistake I did and walk…read moreinto Ocean Estates half as they have no time for renting customers! And the buying office is much bigger and better; the decorations are lovely and light. There is nothing wrong with the Lettings office and the estate agents themselves were very friendly, even if they were not that knowledgeable. They can tell you where a house or flat is located and the price but that is generally about it and I hate to say it but they all looked like stereotypical estate agents; lots of boxy suits that the males might eventually grow into and nearly all the women were blonde. All of that aside the service was good, nothing exceptional, but I was always given a very amiable reception. Just do not expect them to approach you with any new property ideas or have knowledge about things like internet access or energy sources on viewings.

This was the lettings agency I had to go through when I moved into my current flat. I'm always wary…read moreof agencies, as I've had my share of bad experiences in the past. In this case, however, I was pleasantly surprised. As far as I can tell Pentrich Properties consists of a small office located on Coldharbour Road and one small Smart car. The very nice lady who sorted out my deposit and contract etc, it later transpired, was also the owner of the business. Unlike some of the larger firms of letting agents I've had dealings with, the staff were very helpful and easy to get hold of at all times. In this case they were only looking after us until we moved in (we now go straight to the landlord if there are any problems), but during that time they certainly did an excellent job.

Bristol Res Lets, as they could be abbreviated, are one of the larger lettings agent in Bristol,…read moreoperating mostly in the affluent north Bristol areas of Clifton, Cotham, Redland etc. They run a pretty large scale operation, and you're likely to see some of their cars milling around the roads when you've been here long enough (or care to look out for those type of things). Their staff are all pretty friendly, and work hard to ensure viewings are useful, and should it get to the next stage, that the official documentation goes ahead smoothly. Their offices are situated near the bottom of Whiteladies Road, in a big glass fronted premises that holds the ads of their available places. It's quite a swanky looking office, so they've clearly made efforts to look presentable, which isn't the case for some other lettings agents in the city. If you go down the road of Lettings Agents, fees are inevitable, but theirs are quite reasonable compared to market. They have a number of the high quality type places you'd expect to find in the expensive areas in which they operate, so if you have a large budget you'd do worse than giving them a go.

To find this place look out for ashop front is smart in black with a stylish green logo. The theme…read moreis continued inside with big leather chairs and everyone talking calmly and confidently into their phones. I've always thought estate agency was a bit of a confidence trick (how else do they get away with such exorbitant prices?) and they've done their best to keep up their charade here. Right, now I'm finished with that slightly bitter description of what they look like I should give an assessment of the service they deliver. First I should highlight that they're an lettings agent, rather than sales. Things are done on time and phones are answered, which is more than a lot of the colleagues can manage. They do charge a lot, but then so does everyone else so I shouldn't hold that against them. Another plus is that they actually manage to say a few words when they're showing you around the place, again something a lot of other estate agents don't manage. Bristol Residential Letterings do a bad job well, if that makes sense.

If you're looking for property of any kind in Bristol, you can't miss Terry Olpin and Co. You can…read morefind their office on the triangle, but their properties are all over the city. They do lettings and sales, and you can also rent parking space from them. If you see something you like, it's worth putting an offer in, Olpin is a tough one to do a deal with. Their properties are generally suitably priced to what they are, but tend to be more of the grotty student variety than classy flats for professionals.

Terry Olpin is one, if not the largest lettings agents in town. They focus primarily on student…read moreproperties, and always have single rooms as well as whole houses or flats available. With this in mind, their properties are often of a average to mediocre standard - if you're after luxury city living this is not the place you should be looking. Nevertheless, their service is polite and friendly. Their office up on the Triangle is long and thin, and you can ask about available properties there (but you won't be able to sit down- the main reception is slightly like a bar - no seats in here!). They also have one of the largest maintenance companies in town, so if something goes wrong in a property they will be able to fix it with one of their extensive team. They're well known around town - there's adverts spotted around and their vans are always doing the rounds around the streets of Bristol. Good for students, but maybe not the best for professional lets.

I'm just starting the process of selling my house in this fantastically poor market and have been…read morefeeling lost and fearful of the reputations of estate agents. After trying another company for a valuation I just didn't warm to them so I gave Besley Hill a go. To date I have been bowled over by their honesty and humanity, no sugar coating or talking nonsense, which is exactly how I want things. Whilst the other agents tried to scare me into rushing onto the market Besley Hill have left it to me to decide when to act and haven't fanned any flames of hysteria. The house isn't on the market just yet but I feel confident that so far I have had an honest valuation, estimation of market activity and haven't been locked into any brutal contracts.

They are abysmal. They can't even ensure the basic safety of the building. Twice in as many months…read morethe external bin room door has been left open over the weekend because it hasn't been checked on a Friday evening - and the building is designed without a lockable internal door which means anyone walking in off the street has access to every floor. Meanwhile they have been promising us a lockable parcel dropbox for well over a year now but no sign of it. They are really not fit for purpose as a management company but they realise the odds are stacked against the leaseholders so they think they can get away with the shoddy service,

Pleasant people for the most part, but poor service (nothing resolved, often didn't respond to…read moreemails & had to be chased). Very expensive for the lack of value added. During the handover after we terminated the contract early, wouldn't produce final accounts so we could do our financial planning. Amateurish.

If your'e thinking of going with these guys, reconsider!! They don't respond to works request half…read morethe time, despite the fact that the works requested were harmful to human health and frankly are an issue environmental health to look at (black mould). The staff have a rude temperament whenever I have had correspondence and the one member of staff who was actually getting things done is no longer there (Joanna). I also have friends who were with them and their house was in such bad condition that the council deemed it "unsuitable for occupation" and heavily fined the landlord due to them ignoring works requests and maintenance. As students every semester we obviously have to pay our rent from our maintenance loans and they always set the quarterly days prior to the loan payments and then constantly threaten to fine you, or actually fine you, which kind of screws you for the rest of the term. Literally I don't know how these people are getting away with being so awful, from a landlord's perspective I would sooner burn my property before giving it to these guys, they are ill advised and have a complete disregard for common decency and politeness. Do yourself a massive favour and find a real management company who looks after their tenants before these guys seriously mess up.

Poor customer service - They seemed OK until I wanted to break the contract early. I paid the £50…read morefee for breaking the contract and found a new tenant. It took over 5 weeks to return my advanced paid rent and deposit. They then levied a hefty fine for accidentally paying the next rent payment! They charged the new tenant the full agency fee (in excess of £100) even though they'd done nothing to help her. Very disappointing