A Newton Aycliffe resident has been left “gobsmacked” by a Darlington-based Estate Agent which has been lambasted for its incompetence.
The Aycliffe landlord has been left frustrated by what he says has been a comedy of errors by sales and lettings agent Bellwood and Harris.
He says they:
● Handed over the keys of his house to a tenant, who was related to a member of their staff, without taking any bond or deposit before he disappeared
● Failed to collect the final month’s rent from another tenant, leaving him more than £250 out of pocket
● Didn’t even advertise his property for rent on their own company website when requested to, and
● Failed to keep him regularly informed of ongoing developments
Despite apologising – including an email from company director Justine Harris which said “once again I sincerely apologise for the issues you have encountered” – the company have since failed to take responsibility for their failings.
“They have been an absolute nightmare,” said the landlord, who asked to remain anonymous.
“To start with they got one tenant in very quickly and I was very impressed with them, but when it came to the second tenant, the nightmares began.
“He turned out to be related to a member of the Bellwood and Harris staff. They handed him a set of keys without taking a deposit or a bond, despite the fact he was on income support and seeking housing benefit, before he then disappeared to Scotland with my keys!
“It took me a month to retrieve the keys, even then I had to collect them from the Post Office and pay for the delivery, and I had no apology from Bellwood and Harris or offer of compensation.
“I gave them the benefit of the doubt, until the current tenant left the house before the end of his tenancy without notice and failed to pay his final month’s rent – Bellwood and Harris, although they have promised to pursue him through the courts, have so far failed to recover any of the money.
“I’ve just been gobsmacked by what’s been a comedy of errors and failings.
“Their experience in dealing with problem tenants would have to be questioned, and I’d certainly warn prospective landlords to think carefully before taking them on.”
Aycliffe Today have also received complaints from other Aycliffe residents who’ve suffered similar misgivings with the firm.
One, who asked not to be named, told us their communication is “extremely bad”, while another said she was left “banging her head against a brick wall” by their poor service.
Bellwood and Harris declined our invitation to comment.
10 Comments
Gillian F
October 17, 2012 at 2:32 pmAs a Landlord with properties with Bellwood & Harris I saw this article and called them. I have now heard the OTHER side of this story. I have to say I have been with the company for three years and have nothing but praise for the girls and the company as a whole. I would urge anyone reading this article to call the girls and hear what actually happened with this Landlord – the accusations are ridiculous in light of the real circumstances., but as I say – call them yourself .
tania
October 17, 2012 at 6:22 pmTo be fair, Aycliffe Today did ask people to contact them with their experiences of the company – good or bad – via their facebook page before they wrote this. AND they were offered the opportunity to give their side of the story but they declined to comment.
Mrs H Cook
October 17, 2012 at 10:16 pmSo – is the Landlord willing to name himself and his sources???? Hmmmm I understand he is not – those in the know will understand why!
Stephanie Ely
October 17, 2012 at 6:26 pmCouldn’t agree more with Gillian F outrageous story if you know the team. They are some of the most diligent hard working girls I have ever dealt with. I am always suspicious of people who choose to remain anonymous and see not one person has put their name to this article. I hope the girls are not too upset by this complete tosh – for the record my name is Stephanie Ely and I have worked with the girls at Bellwood & harris for three years see I WILL put my name to my comments!
D wood
October 17, 2012 at 9:48 pmWhat a HOWLER!! Just read Justines reply to Landlords – this bloke is a menace
Justine, girls you are fabulous and I give you my support – hope you get the apology. It should be rightly grovelling
Darren x
Dave
October 17, 2012 at 9:54 pmGo Girls
Loved the pics!!! As they say a picture is worth. Thousand words where’s this guy coming from ,? Obviously one of those that gives landlords a bad name
Don’t sweat it girls we still think you’re marvellous
Nick
October 17, 2012 at 10:35 pmIn this authors opinion as I share the same surname of the company I should be related! How pathetic despite this I will add my support to the girls and say they consistently deliver great service I have had my share of ups and downs but Justine and the girls have always fully supported me and I feel deep sadness for their being at the receiving end of this trashy article. I am glad they have sought to face ths head on and wish them every luck in getting that apology.
Tania also should note that offering to only publish part of any response is not really the same as declining to comment
The Bellwood & Harris girls have my full support (same surname or not!)
tania
October 18, 2012 at 9:59 amAycliffe Today have obviously been approached by a reader who has concerns about the service he has received. They have ran the article in an attempt to ‘champion the people’. If you had had a poor experience from a company, and you wanted your voice to be heard, I’m sure Aycliffe Today would try to give you that voice. @Nick – it says in the article that they ‘declined to comment’. Are you saying that this is not the case?
AdeleC
October 17, 2012 at 11:11 pmTotally understand justines frustration with this article particularly the so called anonymous landlord (?!) luckily this will be electronic fish and chip paper tomorrow just as it deserves. Chin up ladies
Martin Walker
October 18, 2012 at 10:51 amThis story is based on FACTS which can and will be backed up by EVIDENCE. Bellwood & Harris were offered the opportunity to comment IN FULL. They didn’t offer any explanation whatsoever and showed no remorse for their client. How many Estate Agents give the keys to a client’s house without any form of bond or deposit? Is this standard practice? We have a duty to represent our readers, report facts and bad news stories as well as good. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I should point out this is not an open forum – all the comments above have been approved for publication by Aycliffe Today.