Unfortunately, I cannot recommend Josh or Helliwell Properties. Our experience was that the agency…read moredid not meet its obligations and did not communicate adequately.
My husband and I found Helliwell when seeking a short-term let in Ealing. On a Monday, we saw a flat that was under construction, and it seemed to meet our needs. We signed and were assured that all of the works would be completed by Thursday evening. On Saturday morning, we arrived at the flat with our luggage, and everything was exactly as it had been on Monday (no toilet, dust and plastic covering furniture, etc.). Also, we had stopped at Helliwell on the way to get keys, and Josh had assured us that the landlady would have them, but upon arrival, the landlady said that Josh had the only spare keys.
On Monday, we went to Helliwell, and Josh was apologetic; he drove us to the flat, gave us keys, and had a conversation with the landlady about the condition of the flat. He stated emphatically that we would not pay for any days during which the flat was not hospitable, which was what our written contract guaranteed (e.g. a functioning toilet, a full cleaning). He even said that the agency had not yet paid the landlady, so he could leverage this to expedite the works. We chose to move-in despite the condition, because we needed a flat, and we used a communal toilet elsewhere in the building while workers continued to install ours. Works were completed by Tuesday night, but no cleaning was done until a week later - to be fair, at Josh's insistence, since the landlady had promised previously for several days.
However, Josh would not issue us a refund for the time period during which the flat did not meet the conditions guaranteed in our contract. We considered this a breach of contract, but could get nowhere with him on it. He claimed that it was our responsibility to take it up with the landlady, though he was the agent and he had been the one to deal with the contract.
Several times throughout the process, he would not respond to email, which was also frustrating. Other incidents occurred as well, like when Josh brought by a potential tenant (for after our move-out) without the contractually-required 24 hours notice.
I cannot, in good conscience, recommend Helliwell's services, based on our experience.