Atlantis Property Services Ltd: Customer Reviews

Reviewed by Thanks Atlantis on 4th January 2009

Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

The most horrible of the lot. Really unprofessional people in the Reading branch. They have no idea about a property being available or not for letting. Made me and my family wait for more than 30 mins outside the property when and it was really cold and the agent never turned up. They did this twice to me. After that, out of frustration when I went to their office, I was told that the existing tenant has locked the apartment and left and we cannot view the property for that day. Every agent has a spare key of a house. But it seems Atlantis does not :-). They could have come up with a better excuse. Anyways, they gave me an appointment for the next day which I agreed to. The next day, their agents calls up and informs me that the apartment has already been let. Hmmm... strange, is'nt it? I asked one of the agent in the office if the apartment is available, and I was told it is. May be the other agent had some vested interest in the apartment. And the irony is that the apartment is still available. You can check their website for 2 bedroom, Bridge Street, Reading, £850. Anways, have decided never to go for Atlantis ever. Have informed all my friends (in and outside the office) about my experience (and I have a very big friend circle). Luckily none of them are with Atlantis and after my experience no one plans to goto Atlantis.

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Reviewed by Mr S on 25th November 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

As promised from my message sent before on 13th May that I will provide an update. After reading Thetenant's review I can sense that person is extremely disatisfied and I fully understand why.

Stuart, I don't think these people are being unreasonable as they are all being honest. And yes it is funny to see that Sarah and Stuart are from the same IP address with a short positive comment like the ones before.

But back to my review, I just can't emphasize how unprofessional they are (with the exception of the helpful receptionist and a young man who may have recently started working there). It was very insensitive to send the agent, who offended my friends and I previously, to show potential tenants around my house. I didn't want to see her again. Was she even showing them around the property when each time she couldn't be bothered to unlock my back garden door to let them see and complained that a small bucket was on the way? It seemed like she wanted to get out as quick as possible. The other agents let the viewers take their time and have a very GOOD look at the property before leaving.

I know Thetenant is definitely going to comment about what I'm going to say as they must've experienced this as well. 8 out of 10 times they brought viewers around unexpectedly and have told me that they have sent me a text message to my phone. I never received those text messages and each time when I tell them that, they say they have had a problem with the system and they will get it fixed. I'm an IT specialist and I'm pretty certain it doesn't take 3 months to fix an problem like that. Also, one time I was away for the weekend and they had called me to inform me of viewers looking at the property. I came back after the weekend to find my front door unlocked, and it is not a sturdy door either. Thankfully no one invited themself in.

Unfortunately, I had to stay to the end of my contract because they couldn't find tenants. I received my full deposit back a month later minus those admin fees and the cost of sending the letter to me, etc etc. The landlady of that property was very nice and was also disappointed with the service that Atlantis provided. I guess I'm not the only one who has spoken to their landlord/landlady where they have said the same thing about Atlantis.

My friend was also going to be a first time tenant and he was looking at Atlantis, but there is no way that I could let him deal business with them.

I am currently with Martyn Russell and they get things done immediately and professionally!

I would never recommend Atlantis.

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Reviewed by Danielle on 15th October 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

Let my property for 3 years and now I\'m selling. James has always looked after me and hopefully he\'ll find a buyer soon.

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Reviewed by Sarah Stoward on 15th October 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

stayed 14 months in reading and used atlantis, they were great!

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Reviewed by Stuart on 15th October 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

We have used Atlantis since they started back in 2000. We have always found them to be a good agent and they have always looked after our interests.

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Reviewed by CH on 29th August 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

The fact that Atlantis has to go onto this site and try to redeem themselves by writing positive reviews themselves says it all. Every good review has been written in the same style, all by people with first name usernames - not too obvious!!
I agree with all below comments - Atlantis have been nothing but unprofessional, fleecing, arrogant and uncaring. Apologies - the receptionist has always been very helpful. Apart from that, our whole experience with Atlantis has been absolutely horrendous.
Property 1:
- No oven for the 3 weeks it took for them to get someone out to fix it. Their maintenance guy brought the wrong part twice, failed to even turn up once. It was agreed we paid reduced rent as compensation, then letters were sent demanding we pay arrears as well as an administration charge for sending out the letter!!
- Shower had to be fixed twice because the problem was not resolved the first time a plumber was sent out - then had to be replaced completely.
- Inventory was years out of date according to the clerk who had checked the property before (which was not even checked when we moved into the property).
- Deposit then took 3 weeks to come back to us - none of the above problems were resolved without constant hassles and pestering from our end for Atlantis to ever get anything done.
Property 2:
- No washing machine for 2 weeks, despite being a brand new apartment. We had to pay £50 for 2 service washes - again, agreed we would have reimbursed to us. This never happened and they denied all knowledge of ever agreeing.
- Deposit - we were fleeced £230 for ridiculous reasons. Having been told there would be no extra hidden charges other than those for example for professional cleaning, we are being charged £60 'finalisation fee'; £30 'contractor fee'; £60 - 'Atlantis Maintenance Invoice' and £80 for cleaners - having spent a whole day gutting and cleaning the apartment head to toe.
This came back 2 weeks late. I have had to chase Atlantis on several occasions to find out what is going on - including contacting one of the MDs - only to get a response that because some of their staff were on annual leave there was a backlog of files to get through including getting people's deposits back to them. This just illustrates the unprofessionalism - what company lets their staff go on holiday at the same time, letting slip levels of customer service and key business processes in the meantime??
I need to add - the only reason we stuck with the agency for the 2nd property is because being so desperate to get out of the first one, they were able to find us another very quickly. However lessons have been learnt and I would never wish this agency on anyone, let alone even think about using them again.

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Reviewed by GF on 11th August 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

From other reviews here, I must have had it good...

Completely unprofessional and incompetent people, particularly in the property management department.

I had problems with the central heating not working which was not resolved for 3 weeks and required me having to rant at their office before one of the Directors offered a solution and repairs were made. The staff are completely unreachable on phone at any time of the day (except when you want to make a payment).
Inspections were carried out quaterly, which turned out to be a needless farce considering the number of repairs required that were highlighted in the inventory check-out. Made me wonder what the point of the inspection was.
Getting meter readings on leaving was a disaster as their reading turned out to be completely wrong requiring Thames Water to get the correct reading themselves so as to close my account.
The final straw was having to chase up on the deposit only to find out on expiration of the legal 10days after agreement that they would just start processing it. Even worse, they wanted to charge £25 to fast track the refund processing. How does one get the nerve to tell a customer that you did not do your job in the time allotted by law and contractually and that for you to do your job quickly after flouting the law and contract you will need to charge??? Unbelievable!!!

I just pray I never have anything to do with them again.

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Reviewed by Adam on 14th July 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

I have dealt with a number of Estate/Letting agents over the last 6years in Oxfordshire, Northumberland, London, Dorset and Reading. I have never come across such a poorly run, unprofessional, deplorable 'company' as Atlantis.

I have lived in an Atlantis 'managed' (I use the term lightly) property for the last year. From day one I have had problems with this organisation and its ever changing 'work-force'. I have never actually had a contract stating the correct dates despite trying to secure one for 12months now. My rent is paid via direct debit on the same date every month yet for some reason I regularly receive fines for late payment.

I have also had issues with Atlantis in regards booking appointments for prospective tenants to view the property. This is an ongoing theme, the day I moved into the property myself, we had to delay by a number of hours as they had lost every single key (including window keys). This has happened a further two times and I have had to provide newly cut keys (at my own expense) so that customers can view the property.

The team of Estate agents can only be described as cowboys. They have limited knowledge of the market they are working in and come across as smarmy and desperate. As for the rest of the organisation, they do not keep records of previous conversations or phone calls, are generally very rude. I would highlight the Accounts department as being specifically incompetent. I often find that when I have an issue, it ends up that I do the work for them in resolving the issue. I could go on, however, I think you can form a comprehensive picture of how poor Atlantis are from other peoples reviews.

I am currently disputing my leave date with Atlantis and with each staff member I speak to I receive a different story. This has been ongoing for over 6 weeks. A such I am now in the process of seeking legal advice. Atlantis are an organisation that feed you lies, mis-inform you, mis-represent you and try to fleece you whenever they can. I have just bought my own property, and I can confirm that Atlantis are the laughing stock of estate/letting agents in Reading. When you have a poor reputation amongst your peers as well as your customers something is wrong. As well as seeking legal advice I will also be complaining through the ARLA. I am also a tad annoyed that I cannot rate Atlantis lower than 1 star.

I look forward to Andy's automated response and pursuing my complaints through other means.

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Reviewed by Mr V on 23rd June 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

SHOULD BE ZERO OUT OF FIVE!

Well well.....finally an opportunity has arisen for me to broadcast exactly how truly awful this joke of a company is. I used to be a tennant in Tilehurst of a property managed by Atlantis and I have to say I have never experienced such incomptent and unprofessional service from any company in my entire life.

I was repeatedly lied to, repeatedly charged without any justification or explanation and had my entire deposit STOLEN from me....frankly the only word to describe it. I have personally met John Sykes and, frankly, if a company is run by someone like that then it is little surprise how truly awful it is. I also had several dealings with 'Andrew' the MD - and I only deem it fair to NAME AND SHAME these people for all to see and read.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, if you are thinking of letting your house or becoming a tennant, LOOK ELSEWHERE AT ALL COSTS - there are plenty of respectable agents in Reading that will look after you well and serve your best wishes.

To conclude, any company which has to fake letters of praise to hang on its own office walls really scrapes the lowest of the low.

A.T.L.A.N.T.I.S:

Argumentative
Time-Wasting
Lacking Any Respect
Antagonistic
Neanderthal
Terrible
Immoral
Sly

Please take heed of my advice.... I really hope nobody else has to experience what I had to through dealing with them.

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Reviewed by Pills on 22nd June 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

Atlantis Property Services Ltd are an appalling company whose main aim is to make as much money as they can by swindling tenants.

I was a tenant (first time renting) with Atlantis for 2 years and found them to be very unprofessional, unreliable and unavailable. Even the landlord found they were unhelpful and delivered a poor service. It was easier on both parties to contact the landlord directly, than wait for Atlantis to pull their finger out and do something. And on the rare occasion they responded to a fault/issue, they would somehow add on an a "hidden" cost.

I highly suggest you avoid this company at all costs. There are many good letting companies in Reading (currently still renting), who answer the phone, deal with your issues in a professional manner and do not steal your money.

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Reviewed by Mr A on 22nd June 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

One star is one too many in my opinion. Businesses like this continue to make money out of fleecing the young and old of this country. Make a difference just dont use them. There are plenty of quality comapnies in Reading notably Haslams. They offer Service and Value which are two things that you could never dream of receiving from Atlantis.

Now clearly looking at these reviews there are some people who think Atlanstis are a 5 stars great company, those people clearly currently have jobs there! Another sign of Atlantis anything goes tactics!

I would say this all to Atlantis but then I would have to repeat it all again to a new employee the next day as their Staff turnover must be near on 100%.

Andew thank you in advance for your automated concern message its really sincere.

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Reviewed by GV on 18th June 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

Atlantis I have to say were terrible from start to finish. Customer service was awful and the rate of staff turnover meant that every time you rang them to query something you were put through to a new member of staff, meaning having to repeat yourself several times over. John Sykes was also very unprofessional in his etiquette having been called to meet with us to resolve an issue and then not following up on his statement of intent to resolve the issue.

I would strongly recommend anyone considering using Atlantis to stay WELL CLEAR as I have since used severel other companies - John Mortimer, Parkers etc, who have provided a stellar service in comparison. It really is best that people know how bad Atlantis are.

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Reviewed by Thetenant on 3rd June 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

I have had a terrible experience with Atlantis, on several occasions letting agents have brought viewers around without appointments, and they are unwilling to schedule appointments which are convenient to both parties. On the one occasion I attempted to rearrange an appointment because the time was inconvenient I was brow beaten and threatened with a £50 charge- an unfair clause in the tenancy agreement which is not enforceable by law.

On several occasions they have breached the ARLA code of practise- I was left without electricity for a total of 12 days during the winter. heating for 18 days and informed that this wasn't a sufficient level of emergency for them to treat with any priority. In the end I had to contact the landlord myself to arrange for a new heater. A clear breach of their professional responsibilities as landlords.

I have returned to the residence on several occasions after the letting agents have shown viewers around to find that the lights have been left on and the doors not properly secured with both locks. On one occasion an electric heater was used by a repair man and left on using my electricity, which I only discovered after I returned to my flat after time away,

I have called on several occasions to report an infestation of ladybirds- something which the company has done nothing about- and my concerns that a nest of wasps outside a window were entering my property- another concern which they failed to contact me about. I am just willing for my tenancy to end and intend to report them to ARLA for misconduct.

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Reviewed by Mr S on 10th May 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

I must say, I have to agree with ghuss1, jml and Jo Taylor.

1. They also fleeced me from the start, being a beginner at all this tenancy business, they gave me an agreement that had a break clause (cost £180) which was pointless because I'll still have to pay rent for until the end of the contract.

2. Their customer service is absolutely rubbish. You call their headquarters and they redirect you all over the country just to find the person you want to talk too. Most of the time they are unavailable due to being on "lunch break" or "in a meeting".

3. Do NOT be deceived by their glossy image. Their agents drives BMW's and Mini Coopers and are very arrogant. I was looking for another property, unfortunately with Atlantis. When I arranged a viewing with them, I'd only got into the house for 2 mins and was questioned about my income. They suggested to end the viewing there because they assumed I wasn't able to get the money quick enough...

Also, right now after reading some of these comments I am very afraid that I won't get my full deposit back: they'll find ways to squeeze money out of me as I'm certain they have deceived many people!

Note: seems like those people who gave this agent good reviews were paid to do so. If you notice the time gap between these reviews... doesn't it seem a bit odd?

Don't go with these agents, they'll will cheat you for every penny you got.

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Reviewed by Peter on 22nd January 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

I was a tenant of Atlantis and found them to be excellent in all respects. They were always available to help with any issues from explaining the legalities of letting to sorting out maintenance issues promptly. I was so impressed with Atlantis that when I decided to jump on the property ladder I purchased my current home through Atlantis and again was very impressed with they proactive and professional informative service. They are true professionals and I believe they are the most honourably agency in Reading.

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Reviewed by Rob on 21st January 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

Having rented two properties through this agency I was surprised to read some of the other comments made. The agent has always been professional, responsive and fair in all of my dealings with them over the past 4 years.

I would strongly recommend them as many of the other agents in Reading do not meet Atlantis's high standards.

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Reviewed by Norman on 20th January 2008

Services: Lettings (as a Landlord)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

Atlantis are a truly professional company, top class service and customer care. Every time I let one of my propertys its so easy. I highly recomend them. Well done Atlantis, keep up the good work.

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Reviewed by Marie on 31st December 2007

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

My boiler stopped working over xmas and so I contacted their emergency number. I was amazed that they were able to send a plumber that night. I have never known this service from any other agent that I have let from in the past. My family and I are extremely grateful, thank you Atlantis.

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Reviewed by Anong on 17th December 2007

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? YES

I rented a property through Atlantis for 9 months and all my dealings with the company were professional, fast and pleasant. I would definately use them again.

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Reviewed by ghuss1 on 7th December 2007

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

Oh my god... I will never use these thieves ever again. They fleeced me from start to finish & took £150 from my deposit when I moved out because there were 'slight indentations' in the cheap laminate floor. I would be interested in taking action against these idiots via a formal complaint to ARLA - if anyone else is interested in joining me(?)

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Reviewed by jml on 16th July 2007

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

Poor customer service, at taking every opportunity to fleece tenants. Upon finally escaping a contract with Atlantis - they still charge £25+VAT to provide a reference to my next letting agent! In many years of renting I've never experienced this before - scandalous!

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Reviewed by Jo Taylor on 29th May 2007

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

Avoid this company at all costs

Do not be fooled by their glossy image, in my opinion they are the worst agency in Reading, perhaps the UK.

In my personal experience, Atlantis appear to deliberately deceive to get as much money as they can - this will involve hundreds of pounds.

My advice is: be prepared to go to court to get your deposit back, and if you disagree with their penalty charges.

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Reviewed by alison on 20th May 2007

Services: Lettings (as a Tenant)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

Atlantis are ruthless. They took weeks to respond to complaints, charged for water charges that were meant to be inclusive, had to be chased regarding the return of the deposit and then took money off me for 'general dilapidation' which they did not explain to me.

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Reviewed by joice on 20th September 2006

Services: Lettings (Prospective customer)
Property: Residential
Experience: Would you use Atlantis Property Services Ltd again? NO

I arranged a viewing a few days in advance and left work earlier just to get a phone call from Atlantis telling me that the property I was about to see had been let. This happened three times. They could have let me know as soon as the property got a new tenant, not when the viewing came up in agent's calendar.

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