“They’re awful at following up issues and terrible at communication. They never let you know about the progress if you have issue. I’ve been waiting for my dishwasher and washing machine issues to resolved for 1.5 months, literally no any feedback, not a single return to my calls. They don’t check their e-mails, never check the voicemails you left. I’ve never seen such a professional team that much unprofessional. Please don’t collaborate with them whilst letting or selling your property. This estate agency needs to be closed forever!”
“This regards the Lincoln branch, who are the only branch we have had the misfortune of using. I do not know if this is a national issue or not.
We rented our property through them for almost 3 years.
Repairs reports went unchecked for weeks, in the end we had no hot water or heating and they were simply not bothered. They had "called a plumber" who directly told them it was an electrical fault that needed sorting first (after I had to speak to him directly and report EXACTLY what I had reported to WHB because they hadn't bothered to tell him anything).
The staff are incompetent, and if you have to deal with them then my biggest piece of advice would be to record the conversations you have over the phone ... my one regret is not doing this.
Our "property manager", Jess, ignored our emails and phone calls. Her boss, Denise, then took on our case and whilst being attentive once (the first time of talking to her), she then proceeded to do the same thing and ignored many many attempts to contact her.
The landlord decided to sell our property BEFORE WHB had asked us if we want to enter into another year rental with them. We agreed to the year, only to be then told that the landlord was selling. We then found another property to rent, and enquired as to whether we would be able to leave earlier than Feb when our agreement ended. Was told by Jess that this was ok by the landlord and that she would calculate the rent to the day we left so that we wouldn't be out of pocket. So we arranged to move.
Once moved I informed WHB we were out of the property and could we arrange the check out. Jess ignored my emails and phone calls. Eventually Denise very rudely told me via email that we would be liable for the rent until the end of the agreement. She denied Jess ever saying what she did. We, quite simply, would not have moved in a cost of living crisis if they hadn't given us the ok to do so.
So we are currently paying for a property that they are saying we have abandoned effectively. They have done the check out report, without consent or information being passed to us. We still haven't handed the keys back because they haven't asked us to!
I wish I had read the reviews about them before we rented through them. We will NEVER use them again.”
“My son and his partner, like many people have gone through 6 months of stress and uncertainty, caused in the main by this Agent.
Weeks of little or no communication, lost documents, failed phone call, etc etc, the old saying You get what you pay for is so true, if you are looking to sell, please pay a bit extra and avoid this company.
I hope the senior management get a chance to read reviews and if so, just maybe they will act on them.”
“Sowerby Bridge branch ate totally unprofessional. I have sold 6 houses throughout my life and have never experienced such lazy, sloppiness from Estate Agents.
They do not reply to emails. Do not return phone calls. Do not follow up queries that are put to them.
They even changed our firm of solicitors dealing with the sale without telling us!!
Downright bloody appalling service. Unfortunately we signed up for 20 weeks so are stuck with them for another 2 months.
AVOID at all costs”
“Doncaster office where do I start, sold my house with Northwood highly recommend. buying with william h brown . AFTER SALES appalling Sarah speaks in patronising tone when you get frustrated they recommend a solicitor that never replies to our's, and usual answer will chase it up today in a tone of voice that says if I have to, really liason . Get the feeling they don't care if I cancel sale as long as they don't have to do anything”
“The worse estate agent I have ever used.
Dealt with Jerome from the Barking branch and he lied and conned his way through the whole process, causing issues and more financial costs.
They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it but don’t care and are so rude and incompetent”
“Worst estate agents I’ve ever dealt with. We unfortunately have tried to buy 2 houses through them.
The first ignored all emails with questions about the property. Whilst hounding to make an offer. When we did eventually make an offer, they lied repeatedly to try and upsell our offer, claiming fake offers, constantly moving the goal posts and changing the guide price.
The second, agreed a price to take off the market, then engineered the situation to put it on hold to allow time to be gazumped. This was all after supplying proof of funds, ID, and booking a surveyor.
We’ve also come across many sellers who tried William H Brown, and had to switch. All found happiness with alternative agents.
Completely unethical sharks. Would not recommend to either buyers or sellers”
“AVOID AT ALL COSTS!! This is so bad you probably won’t believe it. Never ever again will I consider using William H Brown!!!! Absolutely disgusted with the service and shocked how unprofessional Diane was when it came to dealing with my complaint.
1. I was told by the salesman that the property would be sold through the Norwich branch, (I was particularly happy about this as it was explained to me that this branch had far more resources to sell at a higher price and much faster than the smaller branches which have only two staff to deal with this) yet it was transferred to the Hellesdon branch.
2. WHB Forgot to market the property for 3 weeks until I notified the Norwich branch.
3. To my amazement, somehow, they missed key benefits of the property and that it was to be sold as OIEO as discussed, taking three attempts to get it right via email before going live. Ultimately, I had to point out the important missing features on the marketing material, when in fact I should be the one being advised.
4. After completion the buyers spoke to me face to face, explaining they were never made aware of the garden to the right elevation of the property or to the left of the drive way and that the boundaries of the property were never pointed out on their viewings. If I had known this while in the negotiation stages, then obviously I could have come in with a counter offer or refuse the offer of £120,500 while at the same time explaining that they are not just getting the garden to the front elevation but also the garden to the right elevation, which can easily be used as a private garden if a fence it erected as there are no windows overlooking. This shows there was clearly scope for negotiating a considerably higher price than £120,500.
5. I then researched local estate agents for similar flats, this is when I found a 1 bed flat on Pyehurn Mews with exactly the same layout and a very similar sized rear garden that completed with KT Estate Agents for £135,000. Again, this shows there was clearly scope for negotiating a considerably higher price than £120,500.
6. When I called the Hellesdon branch and spoke with Diane explaining. Before I had a chance to finish, Diane became aggressively defensive, denying my claims, insinuating that my mother was a liar (as she heard the same from the buyers) and immediately threatened me with debt recovery instructions. I was overwhelmed with this approach and the conversation soon ended with a debt collection threat. Like any other customer complaint to a business, I was expecting to be able to have a conversation about my experiences, then for Diane to at the very least say something to the effect of “I will look into this before I pass comment and I will be in touch shortly”. Because this did not happen, there has not been any conversation to attempt to resolve my complaint, only legal threats.
7. The next working day I had a debt recovery company chasing me.
8. I have potentially lost a few thousand pounds for the incompetence of the Hellesdon branch.”
“They put an house up for sale on the 29th March(Easter Friday) they were closed until,the Tuesday and the property was not sold,I had visited the property to view externally on Easter Sunday so made an offer without internally viewing which I was happy about,I offered over the asking price,they said I needed to view so tried to arrange a viewing for the next day they then called up and said they have had another offer and the vendor has gone with that one,I was willing to go a lot higher but it looks like WH Brown staff have forced this other sale through for some reason,I will b3 reporting it to the trading standards for estate agents and the Ombudsman has I feel there are some dirty dealings going on with the Pontefract branch,this will be investigated and the truth exposed,if a potential buyer has offered more and was willing to go higher then how can the estate agent push through a sale especially after the house has been on the market a few days over the Easter period,WH Brown head office should be asking questions of their Pontefract branch staff,watch this space”
“What a complete bunch of thieves and totally dishonest not to be trusted if you are renting from them.
I rented a bungalow from them, and they asked me if I could leave early as they had another tennant. I agreed I would do what I could and moved out 4 days early. Now refusing the refund.
Also claiming £750 in damages claiming damages that were in place when i moved in and after i spent a considerable amount of time and money improving the property. Gutted !!”
“They seem to think that lying is part of their job description. I am considering suing these ppl as I believe I have been the victim of racial discrimination. Whilst it’s incredibly difficult to prove, at the very least everyone I come into contact with will know the truth.”
“Valuation by Jack, brilliant, promised me the world on a plate! Predicted 6-8 week sale time! I’d not to worry about losing the house I wanted by not having sold mine yet, “negotiation is their job, they will get me the house!!”
Valued at £150 G, they can get me £160, no problem!!
Sign right here!
First Issue:
Sequence (WHB solicitors) contacted us wanting our I.Ds immediately & £150.
I politely replied that we have our own solicitor thank you.
Turns out WHB had instructed them to represent us & they started hounding us by phone & email for payment!
Many people would be pushed into a corner here & think they don’t have a choice but unfortunately for them, I’m Not many people!!
I told them that as already said, we have our own solicitor & since WHB had instructed them without our permission, they could take it up with them!”
First introduction from the office staff, is Sam! Sam has worked for this company for 20 odd years, (she will constantly, inform you of that!) Sam thinks it’s her right, as a long standing employee of this company, to talk to you like sh**, speak down to you as though you’re thick, make a lot of sighing noices down the phone as though your a difficult child & make all your decisions for you!
Firstly Sam informed me, in our very first conversation, that an offer had been made on our house but…
“We” are not accepting it!
“We” are wanting a first time buyer!!
It was asking price & I expressly told her “we” as in me & my husband & NOT “we” as in me, my husband & her” would be accepting it, she then started to patronise me by telling me “You don’t understand the business of selling & buying property, there’s more to it than making & accepting offers!!”
She said “Just because their nice people who view your house, you don’t have to sell to them!!”
After telling her not to patronise me, she further went on to, refuse to put an offer in on my behalf, on the property I wanted to buy & single handedly dismantled every promise Jack had made by telling me “I” had misunderstood him, Jack would “never” promise such things as securing my intended purchase, & a 6-8 week time frame just to get me signed up with the company!! (From that point, Jack no longer answers the phone to us & I later find out Sam is Jacks mummy!)
Next, is my buyers, we exchanged numbers at the viewing (which I don’t recommend!) ringing me up, upset, husband hollering in the background because my estate agent has made his wife cry! (Twice this happened!)
My buyers own complaints of WHB namely Sam and Danika, ranged from, being talked to like sh**, talked down to, hounded with phone calls on all numbers provided, threatened that they would put the house (my house) back on the market if paperwork wasn’t returned that day!
Threatening that if the office was to be inspected, & documentation they required from my buyer wasn’t present, my buyers would be in trouble with the authorities!!
My buyers begged me to take my business elsewhere so they didn’t have to deal with WHB any further.
I refused & my buyers pulled out!!!
My buyers mortgage advisor even referred to them as William H Clowns!
They said at the time, “after our experience with WHB, I now no longer want to buy a property! I’ve never know people so awful & an experience so stressful & upsetting!”
I’m obviously upset now as well & I ring WHB to ask what the hells going on.
I get Lily on the phone, she gives me a big speech about how professional WHB are, during this speech she called me Natalie 3 times! My name is Sarra!
It took 6 days to get another buyer! A minuscule amount of time but a nightmare. I finally cottoned on that the viewings WHB booked for us & provided the names & back story of the viewers, they turned up!
The viewings WHB booked & only provided a name, & told me (I don’t know their situation, someone else took the call!!) These we’re the No Shows! Or as I believe, the fake viewings made up by WHB to fake interest in the property after loosing me my buyer!
Day 6 after pull out, I rang WHB & got Danika, I told her I was considering changing estate agents or packing in the whole thing!
Half hour later, Danika rings me, we’ve got an offer!! 15 G below asking but the buyer has sold, signed, completed his property, staying with family so, no chain!!
Remember that!!
We accepted, as we didn’t want to lose our house purchase & no chain means quick sale!!!
SO WRONG!!
Week 12 I’m on the phone again to WHB, what’s going on etc Why’s this taking so long.
Sam tells me she doesn’t know, she’s just had my buyers ex wife on the phone asking the same thing, she’s eager to finalise as well. It’s my buyers, buyers that are holding things up!!!
SO LETS STOP A MINUTE!!
Remember when I accepted the offer???
“buyer has sold, signed, completed on his property, and is staying with family” ???
At this point Sam has just dropped them all init!
Sam tells me Danika never said that!!! I asked her if she was saying I’d made it up??? She said I just think your mistaken.
I asked to speak to Danika, she’s unavailable!!!!
I ring again the next day, I get Lily again. I say hi it’s Sarra from (address), I’m wanting an update please.
Lily says “oh wow has this not gone through yet, I’m sick of speaking to you” (really professional and believe me the feeling was mutual!)
She gives me Denise’s mobile number, apparently Denise is the sales Progressor/Finaliser, she hurry’s things along!
It’s easier to tell you what Denise doesn’t do,
Denise doesn’t return phone calls! Denise never get your name right!
Denise is her own exact words “is a messenger and doesn’t know what I want from her”
Denise tells you your solicitor is lying to you (he loved that when I told him by the way!)
Denise dodges you for 48 hours then rings you up and says “is that sarra at (address),the buyer wants to come round asap and change the locks on the garage door”
I’m like, no I don’t think so, he can change whatever locks he wants after completion not before.
Apparently “it’s because the door is broken and the current lock is no longer manufactured!”
I tell her that’s not true at all, and I don’t know what she’s on about?”
“Oh god sorry, I’ve got wrong seller, I ment to ring someone else!” [she laughs] She confirmed my name and address at the beginning of the call!!
(At this point I’m not seeing the humour & again, so professional!!)
For the last week, week 13 I was on the phone everyday pushing them. Constantly been told “we are waiting for 1 signature to complete, concerning your buyers, buyer!”
(You know the one that had already completed 13 weeks ago!)
Eventually moving day came and it was a total nightmare, everyone sat around waiting literally all day for my buyers, buyers solicitor! (Again the one who had already completed according to WHB 13 weeks ago!)
4:30pm Sam rings me up and says that the office will be closed by the time we’ve emptied our house (as though I’m the one holding everything up!!) she asks if I’m ok with handing my keys over directly to my buyer, she can give me his phone number and I can call him when I’m ready to leave. I didn’t see an issue so I said yes! She gave me the wrong number for him!!
So it’s 7:30pm at night, I’m trawling through Facebook trying to find my buyer, trying to remember what my buyer looks like, panicking that we are going to be served with a breach of contract summons for not getting the keys to him on completion date!
Eventually he rings me, which was a blessing.
I also left a message for WHB that night, saying I had the wrong number for him, can you help?
They never called back to see if we’d sorted it!”
“Put a offer in on a property and was told the vendor was wanting more so put my biggest offer in I had to keep chasing them to find out if my offer had been accepted.Three days later after another call to them they said the vender had gone with a lower offer than mine as they showed that person around and liked them. But i was shown around by whbrown totally rubbish nobody takes a lower offer just lies dewsbury office”
“Even 1 star is too good for this disgraceful company! A couple of experiences with the Suffolk / Norfolk branches now & what an abysmal service. Twice I’ve tried to arrange a viewing on a property & no one bothers to phone back! The last time we dealt with them we put in an offer at asking price but they didn’t bother to inform the vendor as they inadvertently advised that it would go for more (& tried to get us in a bidding war with someone else!). Seems to be a bunch of unskilled egotistical idiots straight out of school trying to act like they’re in The Apprentice! Absolutely appalling company who should be struck off!!!”
“Lies, lies, lies.
Disgusting, sick excuses for human beings at the Barnsley office. They persistently refused to pass on our offer to a vendor for a half million pound house because we were selling ours through another agent.
Then lied to the vendor about us leaving an offer. Barnsley office, we are taking you to court.
Utter greedy bitter scumbags.”
“The office was overworked due to the stamp duty waiver . However that was not our problem , the job.was to sell the house and get the best price. Along with the solicitor they recommended to me they were both culpable of creating an unmitigated disaster.
1. The house is in a much sought after area in Barnsley. They take no selling.
1 They failed to get.out the photographs onto the Internet and it was sold before it went live. They were sending g me some lonely back in January . It as still not arrived.
2. They arranged plenty.of site visits from a portfolio they all ready had . They never turned up.for 1 of them .
3. I requested a no for sale sign.i never got compensated for not having this.
4. We were given a wrong date for completion , meaning.we cancelled care for our elderly parent , sold the stairlift, cancelled carers , cancelled WiFi for the security cameras , cancelled night care alarm, cancelled energy services, cancelled.removal men . What a disaster. All these had to be reinstated but she lost her jiggt care slot.
5. The house took 6 months to complete the paperwork. I accepted €5000 below bottom value for a quick sale before Christmas. The sale actually.went through at the end of April.
6 I expressed my anxiety that the houses had gone up since October and my acceptance was a winter price. I was never advised to re value the house..I would say she lost.in the region of £20,,000.
At.the early.stages phone calls got ignored and I was even asked to take a Tar 1 to the post office for special delivery from.their office. When I refused the paperwork was.left in the office for a further week.
Completion date meant they had taken 6 months with their solicitor to complete the paperwork and we were given a rimeslot of 3/4 of a day to remove everything.
7. The solicitor paid them £4050 against my will and they have never returned any correspondence. I have asked the solicitor to give me a breakdown of the bill and he states its a fee.
Ombudsman is coming their way”
