Review of Linley & Simpson
I previously had my tenancy through Simon Blyth which was really good. Very responsive to issues and great communication as an agency. Pre covid when Linley Simpson bought out Simon Blyth there was a noticeable change in engagement and attention to issues and communication. Emails and phonecalls would go unanswered for weeks. I had to threaten to bring in self sourced contractors to fix a leaky shower and storm damaged fence. As soon as I suggested costs would be deducted from the rent I received better communications... this said the shower issue took 17 months, not weeks, months to fix. The storm damaged fence remained damaged until I left earlier this year. 4 years with a poorly maintained fence opened an opportunity for thieves to access the property easily and escape with stolen goods quickly. Despite the police suggesting the fence made an easy escape route and this being reported to Linley no maintenance followed. Upon leaving the property I requested a pre exit check to agree together any residual issues so that the deposit refund was understood. Linley refused to come in until I had left... the week after I requested the check a separate Linley team member requested a visit to take photos to enable them to list the property online. My response was simply sure on the proviso that they combined the visit with an exit check. Unsurprisingly no one visited. After exiting on the agreed date, where the property was completely emptied, cleaned and garden tended to, there was no communication until I chased for the deposit. I was told they were claiming 2 thirds of the deposit for things that were either previously reported and not resolved during the tenancy or completely unreasonable ie windows to be cleaned or deep cleaning for the bathrooms. I can assure you as an ex military sergeant I know what clean looks like. I believe Linley have an ongoing agenda to skim as much profit from tenants and landlords. I evidence this with knowledge that Linley tried to increase the rent last year which I challenged and refused. I was then advised the landlord wanted to sell the property. Seemed too much of a coincidence so I contacted the landlord. He advised this was not the case. I believe Linley were trying to get the higher rent as additional direct revenue to them and have unfortunately now lost a tenant of over 9 years. I would never use Linley Simpson. Overall poor service, at worse utterly disgusting behaviour and support.
