Belvoir Manchester City Centre - Recipe for disaster?

Convergence · 12 September 2015 at 5:26PM

Just wanted a bit of advice here. We have a flat viewing soon and if the pictures are accurate the property is very nice. However, it is marketed by Belvoir Manchester City Centre, who have appalling reviews. Just Google search "Manchester City Centre Belvoir reviews" and read the Google reviews and the ones on AllAgents, it's a mystery how this branch is still going. Now this particular branch has tons of properties on Zoopla/Rightmove that do get taken so I am a bit confused as to why they literally don't have a single 5 star review?

Secondly, they do have fairly high application fees so I'm a bit worried here. I rented last year from a different agency with no issue and passed all the reference checks, however my guarantor doesn't exactly earn a ton and I'm assuming my student finance was what made me pass. Reading some of the reviews, it seems Belvoir have failed quite a few people and I really wouldn't want to lose a £200+ application fee due to failing referencing. Provided they ask for a reference from my tenancy last year (never missed rent, flat given back in immaculate condition) should I be ok on this front?

Thanks for reading. Any advice is appreciated.

marksoton · 12 September 2015 at 5:44PM

Can't comment on them but why not stick with the agency you were clearly happy with last year?

Convergence · 12 September 2015 at 5:59PM

I'm a student and didn't continue the tenancy as I went home for the Summer. They don't have any other properties available at this moment, the market in Manchester seems to be quite a lot more competitive than last year

dimbo61 · 13 September 2015 at 4:09PM

Have you tried Manchester Student Homes office in fallowfield or have a look on there website.

millie84 · 13 September 2015 at 10:09PM

I was with Belvoir a few years ago, renting a property, granted it was the Sheffield branch. I wouldn't use them again, they took 8 weeks today fix my fire alarm when I reported that it was faulty. They also tried to take money out of my deposit for damage that was not my fault. In the end they had to back down because they couldn't prove the damage wasn't already there when I moved in.

xsinaftersinx · 14 September 2015 at 12:49PM

In general they can be a bit of a nightmare, I was with them in another town. They just have fees for everything, checking in, checking out, inventory check, leaving on a Tuesday fee (only kidding lol). Just check all the small print so you are aware.