Portland Residential

Scammers. Just read the other reviews. If you are a student they will take your deposit. Shameful business.

Wow! If I could give 0 stars I would. Called about a potential let, to be greeted by the most blunt, unprofessional man I've ever encountered at a letting agency. I'm glad it was gone as if that's how they treat prospective tenants, I wonder how they treat the tenants they already have. Very poor social skills!

In using Portland Residential it is essential to take pre and post-letting photographs as you may need to sue to get your deposit returned. If suing, use the land registry to search for the owner of your property (3) and sue them rather than Portland as Portland are the agent for the owner. Don't forget, if they haven't put your deposit in an approved scheme and given you the details within the prescribed time, you may be entitled to recover three times the deposit as a penalty from the landlord (owner), plus your deposit. Going to Small Claims Court is easy and the courts are quite sympathetic if your photographic evidence is clear.

I am presently preparing two cases on this basis. Even if you got your deposit back eventually, if it wasn't in a scheme and/or you weren't provided with details, you still have 6 years in which to sue. Try no win no fee solicitors in the rental sector.

Great landlords in my experience, attended to any problems in the flat quickly and let me move my stuff in before the official beginning of the lease. Knocked a little off my deposit, but this was fair, still got the majority of it back. I've lived in my fair share of different accommodations and Portland have been as good as any landlords I've experienced, will look to rent with them again in the future.

You would get more truthful answers talking to a dog. Refuse to give deposits back, dodge phone calls, never phone back when they say they will, have lied multiple times about 'putting the deposits in the post', i have called the last three weeks trying to speak to the manager and each time i have been told that he is on holiday and will be back next week, so clearly lying to past tenants is well ingrained in the company. Would highly recommend NOT using them as a letting agent.

Absolutely terrible company wish that I could rate them 0 stars. Unprofessional staff, no communication between staff, emails often go unanswered, try to pass the blame whenever problems occur (onto yourself, other tenants, other landlords etc), properties may look nice but have many structural problems as I've experienced with 2 separate properties.

Nothing seems to be legitimate or by the book. Would reccomend that if you keep looking while renting you will find better landlords and better properties. Avoid this company at all costs.

Absolutely would not recommend for anyone but particularly students. It is such a shame I cannot give 0 stars. This company tries to get money every which way - for wanting to charge us for a scuff on the 'new' mattress (turns out it was 3 years old) to charging 25 for a SPOKEN reference to say we pay rent on time to our new landlord (even written, this should be free).

That is of course without mentioning the fact they charge for a professional cleaner despite finding a sweaty rugby kit in my bedroom and all house blinds black with mould when we moved in, as well as the quite frankly abominally rude staff who despite our house being plagued with what we later discovered was at least 9 rats, consistantly accused us of lying, doing nothing for 3 months. The day we parted with Portland with what little deposit we had left was a day we all celebrated.

I moved into one of their properties in April 2015 and still living there. Came across the negative reviews and thought will share my experience. To be honest, I was sort of nervous when I signed the contract first time since they were pretty much to the point and did not negotiate on the contract tenure. But Mr Rashid mentioned that if I stay on for more than a year, they will be flexible.

True to that, after an year I requested an extension for 6 months which they agreed to. When it was time for renewal again, I told them that I am looking to buy a house and hence would like to do a shorter lease term, to which they agreed for a 6 weeks notice window. I am still hunting for a property, but the fact that they have been supportive on the lease term has been immensely helpful. Rent: Missed out on paying rent for 2 months (always had a standing instruction that fell off and I din't notice it).

All I got was a polite call, after 2 months inquiring if I had paid my rent and requesting to pay if not done already. That's it! Repairs: The property I live in is a refurbished one and I have had very minor issues. But my experience has been that they have always been very prompt to respond to any issues I have been reporting to. To sum it up it has been a totally peaceful and stress free experience for me till date. (trust me, this is not a paid review :) )

Had a terrible time renting with this agent

Would strongly recommend against using this agency

Rarely replied to emails, were very slow to come and fix stuff in their broken house. Didn't come and deal with a slug infestation all year, even though they were in the kitchen. Very standoffish and rude staff, even the contracters. Tried to incriminate us by sending an email saying how the house was 'in a disgusting state', after we'd spent two days cleaning it from head to toe.

After we moved out, rarely responded to emails, and lied about having sent the deposit back home as cheques. We had to go and make them write them out in front of us, and hand them over. Avoid this agency!

Firstly, I must say I'm very surprised by the negative reviews posted by others, this is the complete opposite to the so far excellent experience I've had with Portland. This is a review of them I've posted elsewhere on the net: To date, I would genuinely say that Portland Residential are the best letting agency I've encountered. The property I'm in at the moment offered excellent value in comparison to what was available elsewhere on the market and what also stood out was the absence of extortionate agent/holding fees.

I'd never experienced these fees before moving to Newcastle hence was a bit shocked by what some firms were asking for. All that had to be paid was a deposit equal to 1 months rent and the first month's rent once I'd moved in. On the other hand the other agents I encountered were asking for far higher sums, in some instances more than twice a months rent before I moved in!

It's not just the excellent value offered by Portland that's impressed me but also their attentiveness during my letting. A new fridge was required for my flat and this was swiftly dealt with. Furthermore when communicating with them they're very friendly. Would strongly recommend if you're looking to rent property in Newcastle.

I would give 0 stars if possible. We had a rats nest in our home for 3 months and the rude staff chose to ignore us! Awful. Do not rent with this company!