Letting Agent

galdon

I've been living in Waterford for a while now, and have always dealt Hutchinsons as a letting agent, however I am becoming increasingly annoyed at their manner in carrying out business, and was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on the other agents around the area i.e. Book-a-Room.

I have spoken to a few other people who also found certain members of the staff to be rude and unprofessional in dealings they've had with them, so I don't think it is an issue from my side. I would therefore be grateful if someone could suggest an agent who may be easier to deal with?!

ziedth

Personally, I found book-a-room a nightmare. Horrible to deal with and getting back my deposit was a bigger job then robbing a bank.

If you want my advice, cut the middleman and get a place directly off a landlord. That way you have a direct number for them if anything goes wrong and you'll know fairly quickly after meeting them if they are on the ball or not.

Remember that this is a renters market now so don't be afraid to haggle on the rent price.

G S R

ziedth wrote: »

Personally, I found book-a-room a nightmare. Horrible to deal with and getting back my deposit was a bigger job then robbing a bank.

If you want my advice, cut the middleman and get a place directly off a landlord. That way you have a direct number for them if anything goes wrong and you'll know fairly quickly after meeting them if they are on the ball or not.

Remember that this is a renters market now so don't be afraid to haggle on the rent price.

I'd agree with all that Ziedth. Just to add I wasn't totally impressed with Manor Properties either when it came to get back my deposit four or five years ago, although that may have changed by now.

Go direct where at all possible I'd say. . . and avoid Templars Hall

hardybuck

I don't know why you'd be bothering going near a letting agent these days? Do yourself a favour and check out daft.ie. You'll save yourself a few bob.

Even if you went that route I wouldn't recommend Book-A-Room either. Found them quite poor before from a landlord's perspective. Used other providers who I found better, but don't bother using agents any more. Waste of money.

letsbet

I strongly agree with the above. Letting agents are a complete waste of money (especially these days).

munster_mafia

Whether they are a waste of money or not book a room have improved an awful lot in recent times. I'm on my 5th place with them now and very happy with the service.

ex_infantry man

warren palmer of palmer auctioneers very good to deal with

echosound

Another vote for going directly to a landlord, and cutting out the agents.

We had a nightmare time with Hutchinsons a good few years ago, sounds like they haven't changed at all. Wouldn't go to them again if they were the only agents in the whole of the country. Massive issues with return of deposit, an incredibly rude and arrogant agent was dealing with our tenancy, and we gave up even trying to get our deposit back in the end. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have taken a case against them. However I was very young and naieve and didn't know what steps I could take regarding PRTB etc.

I found Manor properties to be ok, rented with them for a few years, grand in so far as they were easy-going and friendly, took care of general maintenance/minor repairs etc but we found it nigh-on impossible to get some necessary major repair work carried out (don't know if it was the landlord dragging his heels or what). Deposit return was not an issue with them. Liked dealing with them, in fact.

Have heard first-hand some awful stories about bookaroom. They may have improved in the last year or two, I don't know, no-one I know will deal with them anymore so don't have any current firsthand stories.

Palmers are nice chaps to deal with, but we didn't go with a house with them in the end so don't know what they are like to deal with when you are a sitting tenant.

Private landlords are the way to go IME. Never had any issue with return of deposits, and prompt maintenance of property - that's been my experience in approx 15 years of renting: 11 different properties; 4 of said properties were via agencies and the rest private. Would avoid agents if at all possible, and, with daft.ie and the local papers, it's very easy to do so.

You'll also have the bonus of being able to sound out a potential landlord straight away and get a feeling if they are decent or chancers. Have had some lucky escapes over the years when I met the landlord at a viewing and realised they were the type that would not give a fig about upkeep or habitable standards.

Nypd

I currently rent with book a room and I have to say they have been spot on the deal with, was able to haggle with the rent and the house needed repairs done to electricals and it was done within two days.

Not The Real Scarecrow

Wait till you try get your deposit back,I think you'll find them quiet elusive..giddy up.

munster_mafia

Had my deposit back before I moved, and never an issue any other time.

giles lynchwood

hardybuck wrote: »

I don't know why you'd be bothering going near a letting agent these days? Do yourself a favour and check out daft.ie. You'll save yourself a few bob.

Even if you went that route I wouldn't recommend Book-A-Room either. Found them quite poor before from a landlord's perspective. Used other providers who I found better, but don't bother using agents any more. Waste of money.

From a landlords perspective who would you recommend as i want to rent out after christmas,you can pm me if you like.

sam34

I lived in Waterford a few years ago and rented through book a room- they were a nightmare from start to finish- I found them utterly incompetent.

they gave me keys to the property before the previous tenant had moved out

they put the wrong recipient details on the standing order form and then sent me a snotty letter when the rent went to that account

they didn't sort out repairs efficiently or properly , despite supposedly having a dedicated maintenance man for the complex

that same maintenance man left a tin of paint at my door and told me to paint over the blackened ceiling caused by faulty radiators

they "lost" the report of the inspection done the day I moved out and it took them weeks do another one

it took weeks and many phonecalls to get my deposit back

funnily enough, whenever I rang re the deposit, the person dealing with it was always "out of the office" and never phoned back

I was so fed up that one day I rang and asked to speak to the manager, I was put through to her phone , left a polite message asking her to phone me back and she never did.

dealing with them was a horrendous experience, I wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy.

letsbet

Never a bad idea to ask the landlord if they're a member of the PRTB. Most landlords are more keen to find you than you are to find them so make sure that you ask them questions rather than seeing it as if they're doing you a favour.

wmpdd3

I had pretty much the same experience about 5 years ago, tbh.

sam34 wrote: »

I lived in Waterford a few years ago and rented through book a room- they were a nightmare from start to finish- I found them utterly incompetent.


The gave the keys to the new tennent of my flat a week before I moved out.


they "lost" the report of the inspection done the day I moved out and it took them weeks do another one

The also lost the sheet I signed when I moved in detailing the little issues that were there before I moved in. If I hadnt taken photos and filled int eh inventry in the rrent book I would have lost my deposit.

it took weeks and many phonecalls to get my deposit back

Same, in the end, i got a loan for the new place we rented and as i had the landlord's number I called him, he said he had returned the deposit to Book a Room 2 months ago. It was months later when I finally got it.


In the end I went to their office one morning and refused to leave, the funny thing was the seemed used to this happening.

dealing with them was a horrendous experience, I wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy.

Disaster, I would say go direct to the landlord.

dashboard_hula

Without going into details, because, no joke, this sh!t can actually make you cry with frustration when you're in the middle of it:

BookARoom - full of apologies and sweet talk, gets fúck all done until a solicitors letter goes in their door.

Hutchinsons - blunt, curt and all business to talk to, but they get the job done. The trick is to be just as thorough and pedantic as they are.

Media999

munster_mafia wrote: »

Whether they are a waste of money or not book a room have improved an awful lot in recent times. I'm on my 5th place with them now and very happy with the service.

The fact that your even on here saying that is a good warning to anyone not to go near them. Absolute gangsters of the highest order.

Dont expect a deposit back as this comes out of there profits. They get theyre handyman to do the work then pocket the difference. Just so you know.

Amazingly the owner is in the paper every other week used as an example of a good Waterford entrepeneur. Says a lot for how bad the city is really.

munster_mafia

Media999 wrote: »

The fact that your even on here saying that is a good warning to anyone not to go near them. Absolute gangsters of the highest order.

Dont expect a deposit back as this comes out of there profits. They get theyre handyman to do the work then pocket the difference. Just so you know.

Amazingly the owner is in the paper every other week used as an example of a good Waterford entrepeneur. Says a lot for how bad the city is really.

How is it a warning? I moved about a month ago, viewed places with Hutchinson's and Book A Room, the woman that showed me the property with Hutchinson's didn't have a clue.

I have just said I have always got my deposit back when it was due and recently even before it was, so why say dont expect to get your deposit back?!

I know all about property management so don't need to be told about it.

Cabaal

Used Castle Estates many years ago, awful crowd to deal with completely clueless and didn't deal with any of the complaints incl not ever bothering to respond to a written complaint sent via registered mail.

Only ever dealt with landlords after that, ok same things can still go wrong but why add another needless layer of potential incompetence?

SIG

Anyone know anything about E.P. Property letting agent ?

thomas01

Any landlord thing of cutting out the letting agent should definitely hav a look at irishlandlord.com. They have lots of templates and advice. topfloor also hav a free lease you can download.

ILoveShoez

I will be moving from my place the middle of January and would love to cut out the letting agencies but there is few and far between that are JUST landlords.

thomas01

ILoveShoez wrote: »

I will be moving from my place the middle of January and would love to cut out the letting agencies but there is few and far between that are JUST landlords.

My inlaws are just putting the finishing touches to their house and will be advertising it for rent in Jan. Its a bungalow in Ballygunner on its own site. Im trying to convince them to rent it out themselves. They've done a great job renovating.

ILoveShoez

thomas01 wrote: »

My inlaws are just putting the finishing touches to their house and will be advertising it for rent in Jan. Its a bungalow in Ballygunner on its own site. Im trying to convince them to rent it out themselves. They've done a great job renovating.

Thanks for that but we need the City

denis behan city legend

Thankfully I bought 8 years ago. I moved here in 2002 from time spent in Dublin and Brussels. Sweet God, in terms of letting agents, I've never come across a more incompetent, unprofessional and rude bunch of people in my life.

One company would make appointments and turn up 20-30 minutes late and offer no apology and then try to sell you some form of low rent dump around Scotch Key. I'll happily name them if you like.

Another, when I tried to rent a house from them, even though I explained I wanted to be close to where I worked in the city, asked me would I rent in Dungarvan? Thick doesn't begin to describe it.

Another fella, who I think was an agent in Dungarvan, showed me a place in Ferrybank. He had the new suit on. So new, he hadn't cut the label off the sleeve.

I ended up in 2 rentals which were done directly with landlords. The second one especially was a great success. The landlord was a gent, really great guy and a pleasure to deal with.

Even then, for the second place, where I stayed for a year, the main complex was managed by Hutchinsons. The amount of rows that I had. I'm a placid, chilled out person, a lover not a fighter. They wouldn't last 5 minutes outside of Waterford.

As for the letting agents in this town? Idiots, stay away from them. Also, the sight of one of them being cited as an example of local business savvy and entrepreneurship?

CuriousG

If you are moving in Waterford, warning to people, do not move into John Collyn House. It is treacherous.

Dodgy electrics, damp, and the landlord refused to fix any of it. Had to leave without a deposit, worst experience I have ever had.

yoyo83

i use to rent with hutchinsons and had the same problem dealing with them! tryin to get the house done up and got nothing back from them! they are the most rudest people in there! i will never go there and im warning other people not to go to them! Lesley Warren is the main man i think!! hes very good !!

tobey

book a room are twats, three bed appartment in railway square one mate wanted to get place with girlfriend after they got engaged and moved out and another mate moved in and told book a room and they said the contract was now void and we would have to sign another years lease, told em to stuff it trying to take the hard line and refused, stayed the year from the origional date still havnt seen deposit evan after 2 years a million and three phone calls letter and emails

ILoveShoez

Hi!

I would be interested to hear from people that are or have lived in Sherlock Walk or Grattan Quay.

CuriousG

ILoveShoez wrote: »

Hi!

I would be interested to hear from people that are or have lived in Sherlock Walk or Grattan Quay.

Grattan Quay seems quiet enough, I am living on Mary St. and rarely have any trouble at all. Apartment wise, Grattan Quay seems to have lovely apts.

ILoveShoez

Thanks!

We are in the process of moving to Sherlock Walk - fab area!

yoyo83

well did u make the right decision?

Kitty_Ears

I'm with Hutchingsons now and find them so snotty and rude.

however, I'd find them a million times better than whitford letting agency.
Monthly inspecions, Snotty remarks, house manky when we moved in to it and then a weeks in it started going mouldy and everyone in the house started getting sick. you could see spors falling off the bathroom celing. Rotten.

yoyo83

Kitty_Ears wrote: »

I'm with Hutchingsons now and find them so snotty and rude.

however, I'd find them a million times better than whitford letting agency.
Monthly inspecions, Snotty remarks, house manky when we moved in to it and then a weeks in it started going mouldy and everyone in the house started getting sick. you could see spors falling off the bathroom celing. Rotten.

oh good god hutchingsons!! i know who u are talking very snotty !! u should have went for barry murphy sound as a pound!! the house i moved out of was complety rotten aswell dampness was kicking in and hutchinsons done the house inspection on the last day and said it also that the house needs to be updated badly!!

ComfyKnickers

I've used Book A Room for the last two years as a landlady and found them absolutely great. I had been badly stung by my previous tenants whom I had dealt with directly and being new to the whole thing, I got left with high outstanding bills and a house that even Kim and Aggie would have been shocked at! Book A Room managed everything, I almost forgot I had the house save for the rent going into my account and any issues with the house were dealt with quickly. Now in fairness my tenant didn't think as much as I did of them, I had a problem with cooker and their guy wired it wrong, he also pulled switch off wall and didn't repair plaster. Regarding the deposit, that was given to me, they didn't hold onto it so I don't know what people are saying about not getting deposits back, I lodged my tenants one directly into her account once I had viewed the property and was happy with it. Im surprised to see so many tenants with problems with them, especially as my place is empty again so I'll be going back to them to find me someone!!

katcha

Book a room are a disaster how ey are still operating is beyond me, lovely till you try get your deposit back! Thank god for PRTB, they actually try to pocket your deposit so watch it

Kotek Besar

yoyo83 wrote: »

oh good god hutchingsons!! i know who u are talking very snotty !!

Ah yes, yer wan with the sandy vagina.

Kitty_Ears

Kotek Besar wrote: »

Ah yes, yer wan with the sandy vagina.

They both have sandy gowls on em. I won't post the ****e they get up to, don't wanna set myself up for further torture off them.

still though, I'd always go with them over Whitford.

FatB

I've rented with Bookaroom for about 5 of the last 7 years, I did end up with 1 incident that I was not happy with and that was their "Baby clean" charge when you leave a property. It was €150... The price itself was not a problem, but the fact that I had spent 2 days cleaning the place to perfection was rather annoying.

Thankfully, that policy is gone now and once a place is clean, its clean ^^

I've always found Bookaroom to be easy to deal with, I regularly email or call them anytime something is wrong with the place and its sorted the following day if not shortly after the call.

I happened to be in an apartment that was effected by water damage due to the apartment above us having a fire that needed to be put out by the fire brigade and they put us up in a very close apartment and reduced the rent significantly while the renovation work was being carried out.

I honestly have no problem in recommending them to anyone not looking to party like some of the students that have given certain areas a bad name. They are pretty strict about that kinda behaviour, which is something that I like about them.

daisy1984

SIG wrote: »

Anyone know anything about E.P. Property letting agent ?

Ive been with few letting agencys over the years, hutchinsons and book a room are the worst in town learned the hard way when I moved from Wexford.

Few years back I was refered by Waterford City County Council to EP Property, Denise and John were fantastic, told them what I wanted, costs etc and they never let me down. Id recommend them to anybody and nearly all my friends are with them now and they have no bother at all.

mozattack

Book A Room = clueless

Castle Estates = thick

Hutchinsons = ignorant

EP Property = duh

Heffernans (Andrea in particular) = BEST EVER. No lie

(all above 'in my opinion' of course)

anplaya

mozattack wrote: »

Book A Room = clueless

Castle Estates = thick

Hutchinsons = ignorant

EP Property = duh

Heffernans (Andrea in particular) = BEST EVER. No lie

(all above 'in my opinion' of course)

that whiney voice.fcukin hell.like chalk on a board.:pac:

Kxiii

Having recently moved house, we dealt with most of the agencies in town while looking around for some place.

We went to look at one house with Hutchinsons. It was a nice enough place but the just the attitude of the person showing us the house was enough put us off. Not just that house but any house advertised by them.

mozattack

anplaya wrote: »

that whiney voice.fcukin hell.like chalk on a board.:pac:

Who?

MaltaFan

mozattack wrote: »

Heffernans (Andrea in particular) = BEST EVER. No lie

She's FANTASTIC! No crap with Andrea, straight talking and hard worker!!!

mozattack

MaltaFan wrote: »

She's FANTASTIC! No crap with Andrea, straight talking and hard worker!!!

I agree to be honest, I bought our house from her and she let my other place for 4 years. Absolutely brilliant service, if only others were as good. Just think credit should be given where due.

Jilly0212

I have to agree with a few people on here. Have gotten a taste of dealing with bookaroom only today and they are the most unprofessional, unreliable, rude and ignorant company i have ever come across in my entire life. I would highly recommend you stay away from them

caroline456

well, when I see the property being advertised through book a room I forget it immediately.

You may be surprised but I find Hutchinsons very good. They were very rude but we've never had any problems to get our deposit back and if there was any problem with the property, they fixed it no problem. I spoke to the girl few days ago and she was very nice and had no problem to sort out the things that we didn't like.

I'm very dissapointed with Barry Murphy. Would have never expected him being as unprofessional as he was when it came to letting the house that we liked.

Jilly0212

Well i would seriously ask people to think before even attempting to contact book a room. It surprises me that in this day and age and with how bad things are that companies are not bending over backwards to help people. Do they not realise that one of the most powerful methods of advertising is by word of mouth and by recommendations. I would certainly hope that anybody reading all the bad comments here about book a room will stear well clear of them.

caroline456

echosound wrote: »

Another vote for going directly to a landlord, and cutting out the agents.

Private landlords are the way to go IME. Never had any issue with return of deposits, and prompt maintenance of property - that's been my experience in approx 15 years of renting: 11 different properties; 4 of said properties were via agencies and the rest private. Would avoid agents if at all possible, and, with daft.ie and the local papers, it's very easy to do so.

You'll also have the bonus of being able to sound out a potential landlord straight away and get a feeling if they are decent or chancers. Have had some lucky escapes over the years when I met the landlord at a viewing and realised they were the type that would not give a fig about upkeep or habitable standards.

But how you are supposed to contact the landlord if most properties are advertised through estate agents?

caroline456

Jilly0212 wrote: »

Well i would seriously ask people to think before even attempting to contact book a room. It surprises me that in this day and age and with how bad things are that companies are not bending over backwards to help people. Do they not realise that one of the most powerful methods of advertising is by word of mouth and by recommendations. I would certainly hope that anybody reading all the bad comments here about book a room will stear well clear of them.

That's what surprises me too. The word of mouth has got huge power and yet there are still so many properties being advertised through book a room and there are new ads from them every day!