If you don’t have time to read whole review, headline is: DO NOT USE PURPLEBRICKS!!! I saw negative reviews but gave them the benefit of the doubt, and that was a mistake. Will elaborate for anyone interested to know why. I opted for the free valuation, was contacted straight away and an appointment arranged for a few days later - great. I was then sent numerous messages and emails making sure I press “instruct” on the portal BEFORE the visit, to allow the agent to take photos and put the ad up straight away (therefore tying me into their tenant finding service and the related costs, which are quite expensive). It should have been a red flag in hindsight, that there was so much pressure to do this when I’d only booked a free valuation, but as I needed to progress quite urgently I went along with it. The “valuation”: walked around the house, he took some photos, at the end of it he said “so what are you thinking in terms of rent”. Isn’t that the whole point in a valuation..? For you to tell me? I had a figure in mind, and he seemed happy with it. Then for the viewings! He asked my tenant/friend if she would conduct the viewings, and since she wasn’t working that day she said yes. She was told they would be spaced throughout the day. Instead, around 15 people descended on the house all at once, absolute chaos, people and children all over the house, people getting angry because she couldn’t answer all their questions. I didn’t find any of this out until the next day when I asked her what she thought, if anyone seemed nice etc, she had no idea as it has been like a “cattle market” (her words). I was really angry - Why had everyone been told to go at the same time? Where was the “organisation” that the agent was supposed to have done? I called him and said that was not fair, he needs to be there for any viewings going forwards. He said, instead, if you’re worried, maybe it better you do the viewings, then you can get a feel for the tenants. At the time I thought fair enough. Now in hindsight, I realise this was the start of the BARE MINIMUM service you get from Purple Bricks! I did the next round of viewings and thankfully found a nice lady who seemed perfect, she wanted to move in ASAP as currently living with family, and I instructed the agent immediately. That was a month ago!! Since then, it’s been silence from them except when I chase and chase and eventually get the same response – “delays due to referencing”. I’ve asked them to elaborate as to what exactly the issue is (do I need to look for another tenant??) – NOTHING. The most frustrating part is I can’t contact the potential tenant directly to find out what’s REALLY going on, as I feel absolutely sure by now that she’s probably having just as much of a nightmare with them as I am. Is she still even interested!? I’ve no idea! Another testament to how terrible this company is at what they do: I found out in a passing conversation about a new license that now applies to the area if you’re letting a property out. It costs £850, and there are huge fines if you don’t have the license. I was really shaken by the news and contacted the agent to ask why they hadn’t mentioned this to me throughout the whole process. Answer: “Sorry, never heard of it”. Well, you should have! Should a LETTING AGENCY not have some kind of obligation to be up to speed on current LETTING rules and regulations? Or am I going mad!? The whole thing has been horrendous. Even now I have no idea what’s going on. The prospect of having to PAY them at the end of this blows my mind. And while I haven’t paid them anything yet, their incompetence has meant my house has sat empty for a month now, in an area extremely sought after for lettings. I’m pregnant and very unwell with it, so I thought choosing a “reputable” company to do this, despite the high costs, would save me stress and make sure it’s all done right. Instead, I’m stuck here in limbo.