Abbotts Countrywide Reviews 129

Abbotts Estate Agents, over 160 years experience in the East of England is what it says at the bottom of this reviews page, so you would think they know what they were doing by now and be professional, quite frankly from personal experience I wonder how they have lasted 160 years.

I needed to move closer to work and found a property in Sheringham that looked really nice, I contacted Abbotts Countrywide (Cromer office) and Christopher Fulcher (seemingly the only person who really cares about anyone or anything) arranged to meet me at the property for a viewing.
First impressions of the property were great, a little over priced for a 1 bedroom flat, but affordable, I noticed that the property was dirty and could do with a good clean, and though it stated part furnished there wasn't a cooker in the kitchen but there were exposed wires where it should be, seemingly the landlord/lady thought a cupboard full of old mops, a rusty ironing board and a vacuum cleaner that had seen better days was far more useful than something to cook a meal on. The Estate Agent said that I could have the cupboard taken out and a cooker put in, but this never happened.
However, I needed to move and agreed to clean the place myself.
Once I moved in to start the cleaning process, I realised just how bad it was, the built in wardrobes still had a few bits and pieces in them from the previous tenant, the shower head was so caked in scale that it could not be cleaned and had to be replaced because water couldn't get through the limescale, so this was replaced at my expense.
At some stage the flush had broken on the toilet cistern, and had been given a bodge repair making it difficult to flush.
Within a month of moving in, the tap on the bathroom sink could not be turned off and was running continuously, not dripping, running. Having reported this via the app and getting no response I tried calling Abbotts but got no answer, eventually a week later a plumber called to arrange to come and repair the issue, by this time it had been running for so long that my next metered water bill was just under £100 more expensive.

Then one evening I arrived home from work to find water leaking through the bedroom ceiling, I reported it via the app which clearly states:

"At this time, we ask that you only report repairs that are essential and we will prioritise emergency and urgent jobs."

Water leaking through the bedroom ceiling of a one bedroom flat is obviously not classed as essential or urgent because 6 months and numerous phone calls and emails later it was still leaking, because the property has no garage or shed, there was nowhere to move any goods or bedroom furniture and ultimately the water damaged my king size bed and memory foam mattress beyond use and it had to be disposed of along with some clothes that had gone mouldy because the room was now damp, meanwhile I had purchased a sofa-bed and was sleeping in the lounge because the bedroom was uninhabitable, and the ceiling looked like it could fall at any moment.

Five months after the first report of the leaking ceiling, Abbotts eventually arranged for a builder and one of their representatives to come and give a report on the damage, the builder told me that he could see evidence that the ceiling had been leaking for a long time possibly before I moved in, and that is when I discovered that the property had been empty for 6 - 12 months before I moved in.

I have asked for copies of the reports and have been told that they don't hold them, eventually 6 months after the first report of the issue and nothing having been done about it, I moved in with a family member and am fighting to get my deposit back. Abbotts Countrywide and the landlord/lady claiming that I owe outstanding rent and the property had to be cleaned after I left it, ironically the property was cleaner when I moved out than it was when I moved in, and I can prove that my rent had been paid by direct debit every month and was not in arrears, during all email communications with Abbotts Countrywide they have completely ignored the fact that I am over £2000 out of pocket because of damage to my property caused by the leak and the damp condition of the flat, on the 3rd June 2021 I emailed again to get an update because I hadn't had a response to my last email sent on 27th April 2021, and have been told that I will not be getting my deposit back and that if I take the matter to a small claims court, I will lose and have to pay court costs as well.
From the beginning I have told Abbotts that I am not interested in claiming for my loses purely because of their incompetence I feel it would be a futile experience, but I do want my £590.00 deposit returned.

Never again will I use Abbotts Countrywide Estate Agents, neither will I recommend them to anyone. In my opinion Abbotts Countrywide are cowboys who will keep your deposit.

I have a good experience, even if I am not in the UK, Christopher Fulcher, he provides professional assistance and completes all leasing processes without any problem. I am very happy to have him to complete a house in the UK for the first time.

Abbotts is a very professional company. Their knowledge of the law is exceptional. My main dealings were with Pat Case and Jack Bidwell who were very supportive and helpful. I would have no hesitation in recommending Abbots to anyone to sell their home.

Of the 3 estate agents I contacted to market my late mother's property in Ely, Pat Case from Abbotts stood out from the very start. He was professional and knowledgeable but not at all pushy. He valued the property at significantly more than other agents but I went with it since Pat clearly knows the local market better than I. Pat and Jack at Ely office knew I didn't want to conduct any viewings as it was a bit of an emotional sale and not once did they ask me to. They did six viewings on the first Saturday which cannot have been easy for them, particularly at relatively short notice, but they did it willingly. Their enthusiasm paid off and within days they achieved an offer at the full asking price from a cash buyer who was close to exchanging/completing her sale. During the sale Pat provided regular updates and was proactive in trying to assist with progress. The sale took just under 7 weeks from start to finish and I know that Pat and his team's help must have contributed to this amazingly quick transaction. I am extremely grateful to Abbotts at Ely for making what was a difficult time so much easier for me and I would thoroughly recommend them. Thank you so much.

We moved to Cambridge, UK and used Abbotts Countrywide. I should have gone with my gut after speaking to them a few times and walked away. However we needed a place to stay ASAP.

The first property they showed us online was beautiful and in perfect shape. They told us we couldnt see the property in person because of covid and we had to put down our full deposit and first months rent before seeing the property.

We told them we would not do that and agreed to pay a 1 week holding deposit. Im glad I did, when we got to the property it was so overgrown you couldnt even get to the front door. Once we removed all the bushes and got in the house there were holes in the walls, carpets ripped, cabinet doors falling off. It was a nightmare. Needless to say we did not move forward on the property and they would not give us the deposit back unless we signed on a different house with them.

So we found another house and moved in. This house was in beautiful shape. We had multiple issues with the landlord showing up and letting herself into our backyard and peeking in the windows. The landlord got very angry when we asked her not to do this and it was a invasion of our privacy. We tried to get in contact with Abbotts to see if they could offer some assistance.

For an entire year, we called multiple times. They never once replied to anything. One of the few times we would get someone on the phone. They would put us on hold and leave us there for hours at a time.

Now that we moved out. The landlord is trying hold our security deposit and will not answer any of our emails or phone calls, just like abbotts. My wife and I are not from the UK and were not familiar with the deposit scheme and did not realize we were supposed to be given documentation on this when we paid it. This was not a small deposit. It was 2,800 pounds.

We have been dealing with this for 2 months and dont know what to do. Please, for the love of god, do not go anywhere near this company. As soon as they get your money they will disappear and you will never hear from them again.

Attleborough ,we had the good fortune to use them to sell a property. We thought the valuation was a bit high but they had a purchaser come forward in a few days after a couple of viewings and it was sold. Very happy indeed we chose this firm

Downham Market - this is the second time we have had an extremely positive experience of Abbotts Countrywide Lettings Department. A special mention for Lisa Clayton whose attention to detail was outstanding.

Rude, unhelpful and useless.
Having been spoken to reluctantly by a guy who claimed to be working from home but "just about to go out", he was unfriendly, unhelpful and said he'd ring me back next day and make sure I "was put on the mailing list". That was a week ago. I should have read the reviews before even calling them. If this is the level of their service I shall definitely avoid them.

If only you could give a minus star review, as this is lower than zero!!
During this lockdown its difficult to get to viewings, so video viewing are the new way. They mentioned that there some items that would need attentions because the prior tenants had left the property in a bad state. Video looked OK (taken at night), so took the reps word, and gave them a chance (what a fool), signed up, paid deposit, and arrived with my removal van and moved in to the Needingworth property.
This is when I realised my mistake!!
The cooker and extractor was still caked in grease and baked on food waste, the oven and grill pan wasnt any cleaner, fridge, worktops, cupboards, drawers, floors, windows, were supposedly cleaned professionally, really, I dont think so, everything had to be cleaned.
The next day Abbots said they would get the same cleaners back, which I declined, as I had thoroughly cleaned most of what the hadnt, and organised a professional oven cleaner to come in.
I was asked to give evidence of how bad the cooker was, and how dirty the windows were, so copious amounts of photos were sent, with no reply on the true state.
The upstairs shower didnt have hot water, and the shower screen bottom strip that should prevent water from escaping outside of the shower was missing, and the seal around the bath was black with mold.
Heating doesnt work unless you keep on pushing the reset button on the boiler but thats getting less effective, all gutters and downpipes are overflowing with moss, garden and shed full to the brim with all sorts of rubbish, including sharp items in the grass, broken paint tins and buckets with paint still in, fence treatment in punctured containers, used sanatory towels, and thrush treatments, treble fishing hooks in the grass, on shed floor, in bags and other places, so difficult to see.
Kitchen sink tap that drips continuously, a fireplace surround in the lounge thats barely secured to the wall, and a polythene sheet covering the hole where the fire was meant to be, so the chimney draws all the air out of the house, and any heat within it.
Upstairs had been redecorated, over what looks like the the existing dirt, condensation inside the double glazed sealed units, bent hanging rails, blinds with holes in, botched wall repairs, and in the kitchen an old extractor had been taken down at some stage but the damage caused in doing so had not been repaired. Weather strip missing on the front door, with a PIR outside light that had seen better days and obviously broken. Blocked drain so any fluid from the dishwasher, kitchen sink or washing machine flooded the side entrance and rolled down the drive and across the public footpath. This took 10 days for the agent to send anyone out to check, their rods could not unblock it, so another week to get the local professionals out, who removed a fatburge, and found that the drain had collapsed, which was clearly evident on the video and photos that they took and supplied back to the agent but the cost of repair was too high for the landlord, and as the blockage was now only an occasional blockage the landlord had decided not to do anything about this issue just yet, he want to recoup so money first.
Exposed garage electrics, which were checked and found to be dangerous and requested by the landlord not to use the garage or its electrics, so how did they manage to get an electrical safety cert?.
All issues reported on the Abbots automated online portal but as I was producing so many tickets which the office apparently collates and deletes the tickets as soon as they get them, so they cant track the time it takes to fix the problem, they asked me to just send them an email with the items by bullet point.
I have cleaned up the garden, and shed and tidily and safely collected all the rubbish to a single location.
Have been told that the landlord would be happy for me to do any repairs but that would be at my own volition so would not be paid back.
House is basically uninhabitable and the landlord has agreed to release me from the contract.
Property was back on Rightmove on the 2nd March 2021, with today being the 4th, and several people have already stopped and looked at the property from the street.
I have asked for compensations for their lack of honesty, duress, and lack of full disclosure, and basically told that the landlord or Agent is not obliged and will not give anything.
Yet they are soon to lecture me on how I should exit, and that if the keys are not returned on the day I vacate then its my responsibility to pay for each and every day until the keys are received back in their hands at the Cambridge Office...BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MANY RESPONSIBILITIES THEY HAVE CONTINUOUSLY IGNORED, AND ARE GOING TO FOOL ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING TENANT.

My son is using these to sell his house but as i live there all visits were to be arranged with me. Yesterday a surveyor had arranged to come but i was not given a time, my son told me they would give him a time before the visit. I work regular nights and to my horror just after 9am someone started coming up the stairs towards my bedroom shouting hello.
They had given the keys to the surveyor to let himself in but what is more odd is why was he making his way upstairs to the bedrooms.
I rang to complain cant get them to answer the phone, i rang and have emailed their head office 3 times but no reply.
They couldnt care less i am living with the key and furniture piled up against the door considering getting the locks changed or phoning the police.
I am a disabled person extremely vulnerable in my own home.
No way would i give this firm any business they have no professional standards and shouldnt be allowed to operate

We used Abbotts in Wymondham and they found us a buyer quite quickly.
But unfortunately it was a long drawn out process which lasted nearly 8months.But happy to say with there help we sold to the same buyers.

Downham Market Lisa is my absolute star
she goes above and beyond to help me with all my rental properties

Due to a change of our circumstances, we have had to leave and let our home to move to London. I’ve contacted the agents I bought my property from but wasn’t very pleased with the approach and valuation. I contacted Abbotts Ipswich and booked for Damian to visit the property to value and discuss their services and how they could help. Damian is very professional, respectful and trustworthy. Straight away I knew I have the right person to manage my property. He provided me with the list of requirements and regularly kept in touch to see how things are progressing, listened to what our needs and requirements are as landlords and gave suggestions and recommendations on people and products which I found really helpful with the stress of moving houses on top of work + Christmas. Damian had a few people already interested in the property even before we even placed it in the market. Ryan came to show the property to potential tenants and he has been brilliant. Very professional and respectful and regularly kept in touch via email and phone with updates and making our lives easier with reminders (something I needed with our busy schedules!) Abbotts Ipswich has found a tenant for our property days after placing it on RightMove and we are so delighted! I highly recommend Damian & Ryan to all landlords in Suffolk. My trust are definitely with these 2 professional agents as I can feel and I know my property is in the right hands!

Very helpful and friendly staff at Attleborough Abbotts. Steve, Natasha and Diane were always very quick to respond to queries. At times, they were the only sane people I could turn to at what is a very stressful time. Thank you.

OMG!
LOOK AT THE STATS.
BAD 78%
Moving house they say is one of the most stressfull things you will do.
Well abbotts norwich just made it 1000% worse.

Fantastic professional words to suck you in to sign contracts promised the world.
Reality
,incompentent staff,left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.
Misinformation to fob you off.
In 3 weeks only arranged one viewing and they messed that up.
Told me person did not attend but I proved they did by my cctv,agent not proactive or paying attention and let the person walk off obviously viewer bit confused was at correct address that's where agent should of stepped in.
First lost possible sales and last!.
Spoke to manager hoping to provide some constructive criticism and get this back on track with some explanation, OMG straight on the defensive and at my juggler basically calling me a liar!.
I provided all the evidence requested to prove my reasons for my complaints and was just fobbed off and dismissed, all staff closed ranks.
Have a email from abbotts the reason I was complaining was to be released from my contract early how insulting nothing further from the truth just wanted a professional honest service.
Contract was terminated and hopefully I can find another agent professional and honest that's all i ever wanted.

Complained to area manager ,was very helpful and understanding and said would investigate.
I dont think i will hear anymore of the outcome but i am just glad to be away from there.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Excellent company to use , very proficient and extremely helpful, couldn’t do enough to help me
After such a good service I’m now selling my mothers house through them too .
Great communication between them and the solicitors
Highly recommend. By me
Jonathan warnes

Like others, if I could give zero stars I would. I made an appointment to view a flat to rent with Damian at 5pm from the Ipswich branch. He simply never turned up and when I phoned him he claimed that he had found out earlier that day that it had been let through another agent. He didn't try and contact me - no phone call, no text, no email and in this day and age that is unforgiveable. The excuse was that he was busy-guess what, we are all busy!!!!! TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL, AVOID THIS AGENCY

I’ve now rented a cottage from Abbott’s countrywide and couldn’t recommend them enough. I dealt with the office in Downham Market with a Lady called Lisa , very friendly and professional lady. Made my dream come true. Very happy with the work she done for me and also the rest of her team.

If I could give no stars I would - Abbott’s countrywide Beccles do not deserve a single star. They lie, mislead and do not do what they say they will do when they say they will do it. Having never sold a house before we went with a personal recommendation for Abbott’s estate agents...never again! I will never recommend them to anyone, and would advise everyone to stay well away from them and find a competent, contactable and more honest estate agent...

No show from Abbott's at a house viewing!

- This concerns Abbott's Letting in Cambridge -

The brutality and disrespect is really not easy to describe. Abbott's lack of communication is already the first alarm bell to go off, but we gave them the benefit of the doubt. After that it went from bad to worse. Because my girlfriend and I do not yet live in England (Cambridge), we asked friends to go to a house viewing. We made the appointment with Peter of Abbott's Letting in Cambridge. He never arrived there and Abbott's Letting or Peter were unreachable. That is downright rude and disrespectful.

We no longer do business with Abbott's Letting. And neither should you.