Wilson & Betts were the estate agents on a number of places I bought in the past. They were a new…read moreto King's Lynn a few years ago and were staffed by young people - the owners seemed very young but professional. I liked the up-to-date attitude and professional marketing material. They also kept in touch throughout the purchase process though sometimes a bit too 'in-your-face' - my solicitor thought the same at the time. On one occasion I felt they were trying to bid up the price but maybe that was just my impression. They also sold a flat for us - again, impressed with the professionalism.

A representative of this agent (Mike Wilson) came to my property to take photos and dimensions in…read moreorder that the property be marketed. He later that day sent me his compilation of photos and room descriptions. This email and the photos looked like they had been put together by a ten year old (out of focus, upside-down, poor choices of angles and aspects etc..). Due to this lack of professionalism I, understandably, let them know that I would be employing the services of another agent. I thought that was the end of my dealings with this woefully inadequate company; I was wrong. Mike Wilson saw fit to monitor my property being marketed with another agent and send me a sarcastic email:'Please find attached a link to your property through rightmove, I do see what you mean, their photos are much better than ours, the description is spot on and they have made a lot more of the landing area!'. I called and spoke to Mr Wilson, who sees that he is entitled to his opinion and sending out sarcastic emails. I would therefore strongly advise against anyone choosing to employ these people due to their lack of professionalism and obvious immaturity.

C CARTERS A1 Property Rentals…read more SUGGESTED GUIDANCE prior to using this management agency. IF you consider renting out your property through Carters A1 Property Rentals check you achieve the following (A - K below) : - A - A comprehensive meeting with the Owner/ Manager asking in-depth and pertinent Qs and considering the company's suitability for the job in Q. In particular discuss communications, ethics, references, sub-letting, credentials of staff and precisely what you receive for their commission taken. Get it in writing. B - Ensure you get evidence that your tenant's deposit will be placed with a Deposit Protection Scheme and make sure your house/ contents is comprehensively photographed throughout prior to admittance of the tenant/s. C - Credentials of the Maintenance Manager - discuss general household matters with her to verify that she has a reasonable understanding of repairs, maintenance, utilities and associated terminology and determine for yourself whether she might be proficient in this job. D - Discuss communications and their availability, especially during emergencies. Ensure you have full contact details including names and roles and most importantly a point contact. Will your calls be ignored and your queries avoided? You will find out, of course, once you've signed a contract. E - Discuss their stance on sub-letting and sub-tenants and whether this practice is disagreeable to them and whether you would be immediately notified if this was suspected. F - Ask to see more than one example of inspection reports from more than one example property - study them carefully. Are these reports adequate and well written? G - Get at least three landlord contact references from them and follow them up. H - Check your house yourself at least once every 6 weeks. If you live at some distance from Wisbech decide whether A1 can look after your affairs whilst absent. Can they handle your property and ensure that your mind is at rest if you are not yourself living locally? if you are living locally, do you need an agent ? I - Enquire as to whether they will ensure all legislative HSE aspects are covered by them eg Landlord's Boiler Cert (within the necessary time frame). Ask to see schedules. J - Consider other management company options, such as William H Brown who may possibly have a better resources, a stronger team, better procedures and quality assurance. But this requires careful research and judgement and you may decide not wish to use any agent. But some agents are significanty more professional than others. K - Ensure you get copies (x2) of tenant references and most definitely follow them up. Be extremely careful in your choice/ acceptance of tenants. Can they likely afford your property and might they illegally sub-let. Should you then, after following these guidelines, feel that A1 ticks all the boxes then you should perhaps allow them to manage your property. Good luck.

A1 poor communications, never return call as they promise. The initial set up is good well they are…read moreafter their fee, back up is dismal.