Cork Estate Agents - rentals

Fifi Trixie Belle

Hi everyone,

I'm moving to Cork city/suburbs at the end of the month. I'm looking to view some properties this weekend with a couple of different companies. Are there any companies that you would recommend because you had a positive or professional dealing with them? Are there any companies that you would warn against using? Why so on both counts?

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I wasn't sure whether to put it here or in accommodation.

Thanks!

KCAccidental

only from personal experience, but I've always had problems renting from estate agents. Always slow to respnd to problems and impossible to get a hold of sometimes (which is bizarre).

daft.ie is the best website for rentals in my opinion. you get a mix of private and agency rentals listed there, so it's the best of both worlds.

Fifi Trixie Belle

Yeah I've been using Daft to look for suitable properties and I've found a few. I'd just rather know in advance if certain agents have good reputations and certain ones have bad.

Gamb!t

I will give you one piece of advice,even thought they have the nicest looking apartments stay well away from Choices,anyone I know that dealt with them have regretted it,shocking attitude and manner.I nearly ended up renting from them but pulled the plug in time before exchanging money with them.

deRanged

Gamb!t wrote: »

stay well away from Choices,

they are an absolute dose to deal with. if you can avoid them at all I'd strongly advise it.

Faith

I've also heard bad things about Choices.

We dealt with Barry Auctioneers the last time and they were great.

Gamb!t

If you have some spare time have a read.
https://sites.google.com/site/choicescorkpropertyagency/
http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106651

singin bernie walsh

choices have some new faces working there. for the last few phone calls iv had to make, a nice mannerly person has answered and my queries/ requests have been acted on quickly! there must have been a change of personnel or something.

PcAngel

I found Carlton to be quite good.

soundsham

2nd that stay away from choices

corkgal1981

I've also heard bad things about Choices. My only experience with them was last February when I was trying to view appartments with them. They stood me up twice!! I had to ring them both times & the first time someone had gone home ill & they had forgotten to cancel her viewings & the second time they were an hour behind appointments & wanted me to wait! I decided not to rent through them if they were that hard to deal with. I am now renting with absolute property & they were a pleasure to deal with when we were looking for a place but now they are a bit hard to get a hold of when we have problems!

lostinsuperfunk

Also been stood up by Choices. When I called to ask where they were the response was more or less, "what's your problem?".

Keep away.

Also keep away from North Gate Developments.

kart

I would also stay away from Murrays Properties.

Remax is great - have had dealings with them and know people who have too, everyone has had good experience.
They always deal with everything so fast and professionally, if something is broken, its unbelievable how fast they get it fixed/buy new.

Fifi Trixie Belle

That's brilliant everyone. Thanks so much for all the advice. Fingers crossed I find a place!!

Gamb!t

I rent with FV Sheehan on South Mall and I find them a pleasure to deal with.Management and Maintenance staff are really nice.

Steve_hooo

Choices, 7 years after I'm still irate at them

Fifi Trixie Belle

Steve_hooo wrote: »

Choices, 7 years after I'm still irate at them

Do you mind giving details? Either posting or by PM? Thanks

Steve_hooo

PM sent.

bladebrew

I agree stay away from choices, i have used numerous other estate agents and had no problems, choices and an idiot of a landlord nearly made me homeless,
never went near them again

Fifi Trixie Belle

Thanks so much. This has been really helpful!

ABajaninCork

Just to add: I wouldn't touch Global either.

Tried their best to stitch us up over a rental. There's an English girl working there who I dealt with. If it wasn't for the fact I was in London at the time, I wouldn't have hesitated to stick one on her...And I'm not a violent person!!

babo9

For anyone reading this in the future, I'd echo what people are saying about Choices. So unorganized. If they need something from you they are onto you like a pack of wolves. But when you need something from them, be prepared to continuously ring/email/call in before you get it, probably weeks or months later. I don't even think they passed on half the issues to the landlord.

I was lucky enough to get my full deposit back from them, but that's because I knew exactly what they'd be like after dealing with them for a year and 1/2, I was ready for them and made sure they knew if they didn't give me back that deposit they were going to be fighting me all the way, if anyone finds themselves in this situation, PM me for advice if you want.

MrFrisp

Fifi Trixie Belle wrote: »

Thanks so much. This has been really helpful!

And....Best of luck with the move to Cork.

Hope you enjoy.






.

Gamb!t

Don't rent from Choices should be made a sticky until they clean up their act(so that people are made aware of the shambolic/rip off business they are).

Fifi Trixie Belle

Gamb!t wrote: »

Don't rent from Choices should be made a sticky until they clean up their act(so that people are made aware of the shambolic/rip off business they are).

I actually thought it might be helpful to other people who have a similar query if (after this weekend) I give my experiences of all the companies I've phoned and emailed over the last two weeks..

ABajaninCork

Fifi Trixie Belle wrote: »

I actually thought it might be helpful to other people who have a similar query if (after this weekend) I give my experiences of all the companies I've phoned and emailed over the last two weeks..

Yes, FT. I think that would be an excellent idea. I look forward to reading your observations!

okedoke

deRanged wrote: »

they are an absolute dose to deal with. if you can avoid them at all I'd strongly advise it.

avoid Choices at all costs - I've always got on best renting directly from a landlord

Fifi Trixie Belle

Hey all,

So after over a week of phonecalls and emails, something unexpected has come up and we've decided we are not going to conduct viewings of properties this weekend afterall. However here are a few observations about the agents that I've dealt with:

Trading Places

The agent I dealt with was extremely helpful. She had no problem doing Saturday viewings and replied to all emails promptly. Both properties I was interested had received a deposit by the end of yesterday but she was keeping me in mind if anything came up.

Leo

Another helpful agent. Didn't cite any difficulties doing viewings on Saturdays in the 3 emails she sent. Still waiting on a reply to a query from earlier this week but I wouldn't consider having to following up by phone as a fault - rental is a busy industry.


Barry McLoughlin

Really helpful and pleasant agent. She said there's normally no difficulty doing Saturday viewings but this particular Saturday was an exception, two agents were on holiday and another was unavailable. Extremely apologetic and pleasant.

Asera Ltd.

Agent was helpful. Informed me that they don't usually work Saturdays but that if the property was still available by then she would do her best to accomodate a viewing.

Platinum Property (Andrew Duggan Property)

Helpful. Willing to do viewings on Saturdays but I had to make the appointment on Friday evening, as he wouldn't commit to a time before that.

Carlton/Rose/Absolute

All pleasant but don't do viewings on Saturdays.

Choices

Had emailed last week and followed up on Monday before I started this thread. I haven't received a reply to that email yet. Had been good to reply before Monday's email, the agent had been really helpful and was willing to do viewings on a Saturday.

Murray

Helpful, replied to emails, property I was interested in was gone but recommended another property.

Sherry Fitzgerald

Either unhelpful or incompetent (I don't know which) - Explained a number of times that I was flying into the country this weekend and was only available to do viewings this Saturday. The agent sent me a couple of properties after I emailed what we were looking for. Helpful, but four out of five didn't actually have what we had asked for - we specifically asked for a dishwasher and none had one. The tenants in the place that had what we were looking for would not agree to a Saturday viewing. That's fine and their right, however the ad for the property states "It has never been lived in".

I asked that she keep me in mind if any new properties came in that would be suitable. I followed up with her yesterday as I spotted a suitable property on Daft and she informed me that they don't do viewings on Saturdays. If someone opens an email with "I'm flying into Cork for one day...", refers to Saturday in subsequent emails and the subject of the email "Juen 16th", then I think it's either incompetent or deliberately unhelpful to respond with your opening hours 6 emails later. Even if something came up that meant this particular agent was unavailable to conduct viewings just this Saturday, she could have said that and I would have understood and asked that she passed my details on to another agent.

(I only dealt with one agent there - this was my experience with her)

I understand (having working in property negotiation a few years back) that commission for rental property pales in comparison to commission for sales. But if a property is suitable for "young professionals" then how are "young professionals" supposed to view it if some companies only operate within traditional working hours?

Anybody else looking for a place in Cork who has had any similar or different experiences?

babo9

BTW, I found Choices fine and easy to deal with in terms of viewing/negotiating and getting the property. They will obviously be nice while trying to get you to sign on the dotted line.
It was only afterwards when we were already signed up and paying money that problems occurred when we needed something.

Fifi Trixie Belle

babo9 wrote: »

BTW, I found Choices fine and easy to deal with in terms of viewing/negotiating and getting the property. They will obviously be nice while trying to get you to sign on the dotted line.
It was only afterwards when we were already signed up and paying money that problems occurred when we needed something.

Fair point. I never got to the handing over of money stage so my interaction with them was positive, on balance. One thing I'm extremely glad of is that I asked for opinions before committing to anything, so thanks to everyone who shared their experiences

daisyscience

Fifi Trixie Belle wrote: »

Anybody else looking for a place in Cork who has had any similar or different experiences?

Myself and my partner are currently looking also but so far have avoided dealing with estate agents. Really prefer to deal with the landlord directly if possible and cut out the middle man. In our experience they are just way too much hassle, unreliable, inflexible and generally an unnecessary nightmare. As you're looking to come over for one day of intensive viewing id imagine you'r looking for professionalism. Good look with that.

SteelyDanJalapeno

Anyone have any more experiences with Barry McLoughlin?

Tarzann

Fifi Trixie Belle wrote: »

Hey all,


Barry McLoughlin

Really helpful and pleasant agent. She said there's normally no difficulty doing Saturday viewings but this particular Saturday was an exception, two agents were on holiday and another was unavailable. Extremely apologetic and pleasant.

I assume you mean Mcloughlin-Barry?
Don't be fooled by the courteousness and professionalism now when they want your business. If you take up a tenancy with them they'll no longer be returning your calls so promptly once they have your money. If there are pre-existing issues in the property that they promise to fix, theyll start forgetting these / debating them / making vague promises of visits by handymen etc that never happen. Not to mention the ultra-defensive / threatening / intimidating attitude of Aine McLoughlin on the phone all the time.

Fifi Trixie Belle

Tarzann wrote: »

Fifi Trixie Belle wrote: »

Hey all,


Barry McLoughlin

Really helpful and pleasant agent. She said there's normally no difficulty doing Saturday viewings but this particular Saturday was an exception, two agents were on holiday and another was unavailable. Extremely apologetic and pleasant.

I assume you mean Mcloughlin-Barry?
Don't be fooled by the courteousness and professionalism now when they want your business. If you take up a tenancy with them they'll no longer be returning your calls so promptly once they have your money. If there are pre-existing issues in the property that they promise to fix, theyll start forgetting these / debating them / making vague promises of visits by handymen etc that never happen. Not to mention the ultra-defensive / threatening / intimidating attitude of Aine McLoughlin on the phone all the time.

Yes I did mean it the other way around. That's really good to know given that I've just resumed my house hunt. Thanks for the information.

Tarzann

Fifi Trixie Belle wrote: »

Yes I did mean it the other way around. That's really good to know given that I've just resumed my house hunt. Thanks for the information.

Happy to be of help. Best of luck. I now tend to agree with others who say dealing directly with a landlord is the best way to go.

dj_

I'll give my opinion on Trading Places. Have been with them for 2 years and everything has been fine so far but now that they know we will be moving out soon on the last inspection they found lots of stuff wrong with the place. It's in the very same condition it has been in for the last few visits and they had no complaints then... I am sure that when we go looking for our deposit back they will come up with reasons to try and hold onto it.

What's the best way to ensure we get as much as we can back?

Viper_JB

I've had a bit of a mixed bag really, I've rented 4 houses in Cork. Two of which were dealing directly with the landlord and two of which were with rental agencies - including the current place.

First place was directly with the landlord - very awkward to deal with, rude and ignorant + I'm sure she wasn't registered. Second was with a rental agent Marie Kelleher I think her name was....she was unbalanced at the best of times again awkward and rude to deal with and again pretty sure not registered.

Next place dealing with the landlord directly again...now that I think of it, it was actually Carlton that we got the house through but any issues were dealt with by the landlord directly. But he was the best landlord we've ever had, any issues were dealt with straight away and he always treated us with respect and honesty, first thing he had us do when we moved in was register with the PRTB, and same deal with the place we're currently in through Carlton again.

So from my experience I would say try and meet directly with the landlord either way and consider walking away if they don't offer to register you with the PRTB straight up.


Also Choices are the devil they'll do all in their power to try and withhold any deposit put down on a property in my experience with them.

Dermighty

Faith wrote: »

I've also heard bad things about Choices.

We dealt with Barry Auctioneers the last time and they were great.

I've had bad experiences with Choices, they're great when you're looking to rent but after you sign up they are fairly sparse with helping you out and the inspections they do of the property are a joke, as if I'm minding someones house for them rather than paying rent to live there.

If by Barry Auctioneers you mean McLoughlin Barry then I have to say I've dealt with them twice and they were beyond a joke. Not showing up to viewings they arranged, turning off their phone when they did this (happened twice) and then not apologising and doing the same thing the following day. Without trying to sound like another disgruntled customer I have to say that Eric Barry, in my experience, is a joke.

I've had good experience with Redfords, very friendly and professional.

Gamb!t wrote: »

I rent with FV Sheehan on South Mall and I find them a pleasure to deal with.Management and Maintenance staff are really nice.

Made an appointment, half an hour after the time there was nobody showing so I rang, they'd no idea, asked me if I was going to show up, I told them I was waiting for half an hour, they sent someone other than the expected person down 15 minutes later. The tenants had no idea there was a viewing, the place was a mess. the woman I was dealing with was a complete bitch about it and then after telling me she'd ring me back with a few places that I would prefer she just never called back.

Unprofessional and assholes to boot.

Faith

Dermighty wrote: »

If by Barry Auctioneers you mean McLoughlin Barry

I don't, I mean Barry Auctioneers. They're on South Mall, beside the Imperial Hotel.

Tarzann

Mcloughlin Barry are a joke. Heating that works and rubbish removed from previous tenant shouldn't be too much to ask for in a house, but there's no rush getting this done if your name is Aine Mcloughlin or Eric Barry.

sandin

I'll second all those that say avoid Choices - the MOST IGNORANT RUDE UNINTERESTED shower of morans you will ever come across. No interest whatsoever in you.

We were looking to let for an employee as we are opening an office in Cork - nice corporate letting - and their attutude stank on 3 occasions we talked to them.

FV Sheahans & Sherry Fitzgerald Lettings were both brilliant.

Gamb!t

sandin wrote: »

I'll second all those that say avoid Choices - the MOST IGNORANT RUDE UNINTERESTED shower of morans you will ever come across. No interest whatsoever in you.

We were looking to let for an employee as we are opening an office in Cork - nice corporate letting - and their attutude stank on 3 occasions we talked to them.

FV Sheahans & Sherry Fitzgerald Lettings were both brilliant.

Worst crowd I ever dealt with,so rude and unprofessional.
Unfortunately they seem to have most of the decent places to rent in Cork as there are a lot of dumps with outdated furniture for ridiculous prices.
I'm amazed choices do so well,not to mind are still in business considering their attitude to customers stink.

justme112

Hey all,

sorry to post on an old thread but I'm currently having the same issue with McLoughlin Barrys regarding getting deposit back.
Its always the same story about the landlord being out of the country and he has to drop a cheque in.

Can anyone let me know how they dealt with McLoughlin Barrys and how they got their deposits back. Also the house is exactly as it was when we first rented it - no damage etc.

kaki

I haven't dealt specifically with Barry Mc Loughlins, but a clear and firm registered letter outlining their responsibilities, if possible after consulting with PRTB, should do the trick?

justme112

Yeah, looks like thats the way its heading. Completely unnecessary hassle!! Threshold and then submit complaint to PTRB?

H3llR4iser

Yet another "avoid Choices at all costs". They are very nice and courteous when it is about viewing and initiating the rent, after that you don't exist anymore. They only remember about you when money is due to them and the inspections every three months are an absolute joke - I was even told they hold on a spare key and can do the inspection regardless if you are there or not.

The place I am in is managed by them and I will be moving out next year, rest assured.

If you can find a property that they are renting but not managing, then it's OK - previous apartment I was in (for 3 years) I rented through Choices but was managed by Joe Neville & Sons...I can't recommend them enough, absolutely spot on the ball all the time, any issue - no matter how small or big - dealt with in a matter of days, no annoying inspections and invasions of your privacy, definitely "5 stars" stuff.

Femme_Fatale

Jeebus, not good feedback re Choices!

I've been dealing with them for years. They're not great, no. They've improved though - they were utterly abysmal a few years ago... and now they're not great. An improvement is an improvement! :pac:

Redfords maybe?

H3llR4iser

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Jeebus, not good feedback re Choices!

I've been dealing with them for years. They're not great, no. They've improved though - they were utterly abysmal a few years ago... and now they're not great. An improvement is an improvement! :pac:

Redfords maybe?

I am dealing with them right now, and they're not bad - they're absolutely rubbish. Short of purposely putting rats in my apartment and trying to charge me to remove them, there is really nothing they could do worse than they're doing - the constant ignoring of calls, emails and even personal visits (you go there, make your point, they go "ah sure, that's bad, we'll send somebody ASAP"...and nothing happens) added to the continuous harassment about their "inspections" is really too much to take. I am staying where I am until the end of the contract next year, then I'm running like the wind.

Only big problem, it looks like any place in Cork that's not a total dump, is managed or rented by Choices :mad:

Faith

H3llR4iser wrote: »

I am dealing with them right now, and they're not bad - they're absolutely rubbish. Short of purposely putting rats in my apartment and trying to charge me to remove them, there is really nothing they could do worse than they're doing - the constant ignoring of calls, emails and even personal visits (you go there, make your point, they go "ah sure, that's bad, we'll send somebody ASAP"...and nothing happens) added to the continuous harassment about their "inspections" is really too much to take. I am staying where I am until the end of the contract next year, then I'm running like the wind.

Only big problem, it looks like any place in Cork that's not a total dump, is managed or rented by Choices :mad:

I don't know how they control such a large chunk of the market. When we were moving in June, we purposely excluded anywhere managed by Choices and it easily halved our options. Some gorgeous looking houses were passed up without even viewing them because we refused to deal with Choices.

honerbright

I've not read through the whole thread so I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but: We got our house through Choices. That was the only dealings we had with them though, the initial viewing and signing of the lease . Everything from that point has been through the actual landlord. My only complaint about them would be that the house wasn't.. too well cleaned* prior to us moving in, but I'm not sure if that was Choices responsibility or the Landlords though.

*Socks under beds, makeup/toys/stickers under couch cushions, stickers stuck to ceiling etc. Looked like the last tenants left in a very big rush.

Milly33

It should be there's I know they will catch you when you move out for having the place spotless. Baffled also how they have managed to run a lot of the lettings out there. Everyone knows to stay away from them so I am surprised people still use them