Homelets

I rented with Homelets for two years in different houses. They were always fast with sending out people for repairs and maintainence, lenient when necessary, and extremely fair when returning our deposits to us at the end of the tenancies. They responded quickly when we contacted them and helped us work around stubborn landlords. I would happily rent with Homelets again should the opportunity arise, especially in a town like Brighton where many letting agents are deceitful.

I was a tenant of Homlets for 6 months and really had terrible experience with them. I was planning to stay for 2 years in Brighton but no chance with them again. From day one they gave me a printed tenancy agreement where my rent did not include any of the bills we verbally agreed on. My advice to those who are thinking of renting from them, is don't take their word, make sure you read your tenancy agreement.

Then when I moved in to the flat, after the inventory check-in I reported a few issues which require urgent repair but they never got fixed despite numerous calls and emails. Another issue was with Council Tax bill, although it was included in my rent they didn't bother to deal with it and had to go through a lot of hassle for weeks until I decided to take it up with the local authority they then responded.

My Daughter rented a shared student house and found the agency to be very efficient and professional. I was present for the final checkout at the property which was handled by Poppy, I found her to be extremely pleasant to deal with and competent in her knowledge and efficiency. Poppy ensured everything was dealt with in a fast professional way, our deposit was returned promptly without having to chase. I would recommend this agency without hesitation.

I have used Homelets as a landlord for years and have recommended them to both landlords and friends looking to rent. The staff work extremely hard to deliver outstanding service, especially Patrick who particularly impresses me and often goes above and beyond to help. I wouldn't be able to manage without them. They are the most experienced and professional letting agency in Brighton and it really shows.

The house was truly lovely and I loved living there but we had so many issues from the first day. Initially, we had wanted a different house but the agent was late and by the time they arrived, the next group to view it also had. We viewed the property at the same time and both groups decided we wanted it, so the agent decided to flip a coin for it. Needless to say we weren't impressed.

We were then taken to another house which we had to walk to whilst the agent drove, which was lovely and we stayed in this house for three years. When we moved in however, there were lots of small issues which I felt should have been resolved between tenancies. The oven knobs had been blue tacked on by the previous tenants but not noticed. Lots of fixtures and fittings were either missing or damaged and the damp issue that many Brighton homes suffer from was ignored for many months until ultimately, one wall had to be torn down, bricks replaced and replastered.

This was done quickly and efficiently but it's a shame that it was neglected so long that it got to this point. The up front costs were excessive and being charged again to renew the tenancy each year felt unfair. Both are fairly standard practice around Brighton though so I suppose this is more an issue with letting agents in general than with Honelets.

My biggest issue across the three years though, were a series of quite aggressive phonecalls I received when my rent was late one month. Rather than initially speaking to me regarding they rent, they called my mother as the guarantor who had assumed I had ignored previous communications with them but this was not the case. This was the only time my rent was late and I had explained that my employer was late paying me, so I really didn't appreciate receiving a call like that.

I wouldn't recommend homelets but I also wouldn't recommend about 80% of Brighton letting agents. If people are going through this route, I always encourage them to find a house they like regardless of the agency unless it is an agency known for trying to scam people out of deposits. Homelets thankfully does not fall into this category. Overall, I think they do an ok job within a market that is generally not very good to tenants

I've been with this agency for 2 years and I have thoroughly been satisfied with the service they provide. Excellent homes for students and I would highly recommend this agency to any new student moving to Brighton. The manager is really great in dealing with disputes and any issues - and if I ever had a problem they would sort it out right away. In comparison with other agencies in Brighton - I do believe they are the best and many other students agree. Thank you homelets!

We have just finished our dealings with Homelets and overall, our experience have been good. Yes, it does take forever to get anyone to call you back (our first broken tap issue took 28 days to fix, right on the end of the legal timeframe), but since they introduced online reporting system, all repairs were dealt with immediately. Rose is about the only person who is worth dealing with in the agency - nice, polite, professional and helpful.

The house was a complete shite, but it is in no way agency's fault and has a lot more to do with the landlord - some improvements were made on request, such as new shower, flooring in the corridor and broken bits of furniture replaced. Despite the initial state of the property, we treated the house with respect, and as a result got 90% of our deposit back within 3 days of submitting final bill payments.

I am sure a lot of students don't, and if you are a parent making a review on behalf of your child, whose deposit was withheld "for no apparent reason", I can certainly tell you that the reason would be apparent to anyone who visits student accommodation and sees how much dirt and destruction is achievable in a short space of time.

Have to disagree with some of these reviews as my experience has been different. I found the whole process of renting through them straight forward and easy and my maintenance was always dealt with fast and efficiently. In fact the maintenance manager at Homelets is the reason for 3 out of the 4 stars as she is brilliant and a credit to the company.

Clearly the estate agents agent market in Brighton can be pretty hit and miss, having been student tenants in the city for three years, we have seen both sides of the industry. Over our 12 month tenancy Homelets have really exceeded expectations. They have answered our queries and dealt with breakages and issues in the property promptly and in a friendly manner.

We didn't muck them about and they have treated is fairly, a nominal charge was taken for final cleaning but this is to be expected (it is industry standard in Brighton). The same cannot be said for our previous agents, John Hilton, who thumped us with a 600 bill for a property that was left in very reasonable condition. My advice to new tenants, use these guys if they have the property for you.

They are a reasonable bunch and won't muck you about as long as you are decent and honest. Katie was the agent dealing with out move-out day (this type of final walk through the property on move out day isn't offered by all agents, and is another reason to go with Homelets) and she was extremely professional, friendly and we were very happy. Incidentally, number 45 Franklin Street is a cracking 6 bed house and is highly recommended. Never met the landlord but thanks for our time there!

I am a student currently studying at the University of Sussex and renting a property from Homelets. I have had no problems whatsoever with Homelets and have been, along with all other tenants, more than happy with our property. The staff have been incredibly helpful, and have speedily addressed any issues we have had through our tenancy. I would have no issues recommending Homelets to other students or anyone looking for a property, and will be renting with them next year!

Used Homelets as a Landlord, and wish I hadn't. As Homelets are not members of any letting agents associations or ombudsmen there is nowhere to complain to about Homelets' poor service. Their attitude to my complaints about their poor service and errors was immature, patronising, arrogant, unhelpful, and very unprofessional, and their response to these complaints has been to basically stick the proverbial two fingers up to me.

I will of course be persuing the matter further through all available legal channels. My advice would be to look for an agent who is a member of any of the letting agents associations or ombudsmen - there are many reputable agents in Brighton/ Hove who are.

BE WARNED! This agency is a DISGRACE. My daughter has been living in a appalling property since September after being told that work would be carried out before they moved in to start University. The agency have consistently supported a criminal landlord who has done nothing about the issue, until finally the council declared the house Immediately Dangerous due to rotting joists and collapsing ceilings and damp.

The staff at homelets are rude and impossible to get hold of. No-one seems to take any responsibility for any problems there and they resort to threatening young, vulnerable students with solicitors, should they try to raise issues. STAY AWAY

I found the staff rude and unhelpful. I also found that they are not interested in managing properties properly. The staff do not return your calls and their communication is very poor. They are unprofessional and I would never use them. A window in the flat had a rotton frame that broke and when it was reported they did not follow it up and I went in to the Office the following day with it I was told that i could not expect them to fix it the same day!

There was a hole in the window. I would expect it to be fixed immediately. Steer clear if you are looking to let off them as they will not fulfill their duties and fix any problems.

I don't think I have ever heard a good word about this Brighton based lettings agency. I haven't heard too many words in general, but between the dozen or so people who have added to my own experiences, they don't come off well. I just found generally that the staff were unhelpful and a bit rude, asking me questions about my "realistic" prospects of finding work after university to allow me to pay rent. Beyond this, the prices and quality of properties are not what you'd expect, certainly not given the intense competition locally.