Smarterrent Reviews 8

Would I recommend Smarter Rentals? Absolutely! The house had a few minor issues, that were dealt with quickly and efficiently by the team. The house was a temporary fix due to our house being flooded. Von and her team showed empathy, professionalism and kindness throughout our time in the house. I cannot thank them all enough.

We have been bouncing between temporary accommodation for 2 months now during our house move, which is dragging on longer than anyone expected. Today we were told of a further delay that meant we would need another week somewhere, so we booked to stay in one of their properties in Binfield. Less than an hour later we were told the situation had changed again so we attempted to cancel.

Given that most of their T&Cs are not provided for you on Airbnb until AFTER you have paid, including the requirement to sign a short term rental agreement - even though you've paid upfront already - It is utterly unconscionable that they were only willing to provide a 50% refund given that the booking lasted less than 3 hours (including 2 hours of attempting to negotiate a full refund). This was 9 days before the reservation was even due to start, plenty of time for them to secure other tenants.

I cannot speak to the condition of the property, but based on business practices alone I highly recommend you avoid this company and save yourself the hassle and the cost.

NO care for neighbours and residents! Currently writing this at midnight having been listening to Smarter Rents tenants shouting at the top of their voices since 10pm. The likelihood is that this will continue until 4am, alongside cars turning up throughout the night / early hours revving outside and shouting outside the property. Some neighbours have been so disturbed that the police have been called. This is a pattern that has been reported to smarter rent and they simply don’t care to do anything and no manager calls back. The tenants don’t seem to go to work or leave the property at all, just smoke weed out the front of the house and give/ receive parcels at the front door. Very odd. They don’t answer the door to neighbours who go to ask that the noise be kept down (families with young children and people who work live in the road). It’s pure hell. Next step will be reporting not only the neighbours but smarter rent to the council so that they can investigate. Sick of these ridiculous short term let companies who couldn’t give a toss about who they’re housing and the impact it has on neighbours.

EDIT to smarter rents response:
You are aware, I have rang numerous times and each time told a manager will call me back and they never do. I’ve given up waiting at this stage. 4am this morning as predicted your tenant is shouting and swearing, threatening people like a mad man. You are also aware of an instance of police being called and YOUR worker actually said to call the police as there’s nothing you can do.

Stayed in a Kew 2-bed garden flat for 4 months during a home renovation.

Positives: when searching and booking, the process was simple and the sales team communicated well online. Booked without irl viewing as is the norm for them; the actual place matched the photos. The property was well situated and well furnished. Price is on the high end but is as expected for a short let with utilities included.

The frustrating: all come through during the stay. Ultimately my experience of their support team during the stay is that they treated me as if everything I raised was an inconvenience to them.

A non-exhaustive list of these -

- Within the first few days of my stay, I first raised the issue that the patio door gets ‘stuck’ when opening / closing. After some back and forth in emails, I was asked to send photos and a video via WhatsApp on the 4th so that they can “troubleshoot”. Nothing back until the 27th when I followed up and finally maintenance was booked. (The guy came and sorted it out simply and was very professional.)

- During the first month, I got a call one afternoon while I was out from a support person asking “if / why have I changed the safe lock keyboard combination… the gardener cannot get in…” Which was all very confusing as no-one had informed me that a gardener was coming, much less gotten my permission to enter. Eventually it transpired that while the tenancy contract was clear and I knew that garden maintenance was by Smarter Rent; the contract did not have a bit “...as it should but it was missed (by them as they drew up the contract)” about the gardener coming regularly at certain dates and should be allowed access. So basically to me, they were at risk of being in breach by trying to enter without my permission, infringing on my privacy at the most basic element of a rental. No apology was forthcoming until I complained.

- Towards the end of my stay, I needed to extend by 2 weeks which was sorted and paid in full in advance. Then my moving back dates changed and I was able to move back home earlier. I emailed to ask if I can check-out early and get back the money for the days not used. Their policy was strict that they cannot but they offered a % reduction if they can let the property out for those days. By the time I moved out on that earlier date, I never heard back whether those days were let, so assumed not. As I had paid for all those extended dates, the day after I moved out, I went back to tidy up and to give space to the workmen on my property finishing off stuff. While I was there I got a call asking why I was on the property as a cleaner wanted to get in but noticed that someone was inside before coming in. I was confused as no-one informed me that the cleaner was coming and effectively Smarter Rent was “forcing” me out early. Their explanation is that they needed to clean the property to let it out, even though this was not agreed with me.

All in all, there are other more minor interactions where each time, I was left feeling as if my reasonable requests as a tenant were something of an irritation. Despite their positioning themselves as a different type of company to others.

Which is why I would not recommend anyone else to use them unless there is no other choice. And if they do use them, to be really eyes wide open on their support levels.

This was a very good short term rental experience. We needed a property for three months whilst renovating our house. There is a shortage of firms providing short term furnished inclusive rentals. The house was in very good condition , fully furnished and inclusive (e.g. bills, rates) and in a good location. The rental was professionally organised and managed with a short term rental agreement in place. The team were responsive to any requests. Happy to use again. I find my experience hard to square with some other reviews on here which are very damning - the people I dealt with were straightforward and professional in their dealings at all times.

Smarter Rent helped us find a property very quickly that perfectly met our needs. From viewings to signing a lease to day-to-day management of the property we are renting - all members of the team have been brilliant! Highly recommend!!

We had a great experience with Smarter Rent, renting a property for three months in Maidenhead when new to the area. From starting the lease to ending it the process was extremely easy and well organized. The flat was spotless, well furnished and in a great location. If we needed anything they were always there for us. It worked out perfectly for us and we would definitely use Smarter Rent again. Highly recommend.

Complete rip off. Avoid at all costs.