Boydens

AVOID BOYDENS they will rip you off! I've been renting for years and this was my very first negative experience of unfair check out costs that I am absolutely appalled by. I agree with the review below from Nicole Crockett 100%. I've had an average experience with Boydens throughout the stay in property for over two years: there's been some significant lack of action when objects in the flat were reported faulty (broken door handles from the moment we moved in, until moving out two years later, broken patio door was replaced only a year later whilst being broken upon moving in, the list goes on).

The Nil Deposit scheme implies that we will be charged if any damage to the property and costs related to maintenance. The property was left cleaned thoroughly, yet we were charged for every little made up detail, like cleaning dusty radiators? Or kitchen cabinets that were cleaned and disinfected, or "finger marks" on mirrored light switches (never mind someone went into the flat to check out using said switches), for spider web (which was removed 100% and can only assume appeared over the several days the flat was empty before it was checked - spiders in UK is a standard issue?), for floor cleaning that have been hoovered and mopped so you could eat of the floor if you wanted, for cleaning literally every object in the flat that has already been cleaned, as we clearly didn't want to be charged for failing to do so!

Why did we bother in the first place, wasting our cleaning products and time to this result!? We've even been charged for removal of an ugly TV stand that was there whilst VIEWING the flat and way before signing the contract or moving in. When the dated photograph proving said TV stand was in place way before we moved in was sent to Boydens, it was ignored and no response was received further until Nil Deposit Scheme processed the itemised quotation, letting us file a dispute, mentioning that there's also costs to dispute it.

We were not allowed to be present at checkout, so they've just assigned that everything was "amber" clean, which is just ludicrous. The flat was presented to us in a WAY dirtier state than it was handed over, and it was clear that no professional clean was done, likely ripped off someone else for cleaning charges before us and failed to clean. Lots of objects were also left in the flat when we moved in, which were stored in the cupboard there as we didn't want to be charged for losing objects belonging to the flat.

The fee is not huge and they would charge us the same have we paid the deposit and we likely wouldn't see that money back either way. I am now in process of dealing with Nil Deposit scheme to dispute this although I am certain they will say there's no grounds for it - how can someone prove the flat was left very clean when the "report" says it was not?

Very convenient! I can only say that it is incredible shame if any landlords will let their property with Boydens as we usually look at the property, not the agency, to rent a place we enjoy living in. However, I will truly avoid using Boydens services in the future and strongly recommend to avoid to one and all. They're all smiles until there's an issue, then you'll just be ignored at all costs.

Great service, a 'can do' attitude and a shedload of experience and knowledge. That's why as a landlord we chose Boydens and remain with them 10 years later. A very special thanks to Tina Dove who puts the customer first and is a pleasure to work with.

Best Estate Agent in Colchester, whole team thoroughly professional. Philip, Gabby, Lauren and Gemma thank you so much for securing the purchase of our house. Pleasure dealing with the step by step process of buying a house which ain't always easy! Clear communication, understanding, experienced and knowledgeable. Sincere thanks to you all at Boydens from Ed Hyde and my wife Aruna.

What can I say.other than do not sign up to a nil deposit scheme with boydens.they will fleece you for everything when you move out. Numerous attempts to receive some itinerary on checkout only to be given nothing, not allowed to be at checkout due to covid. 50 poor quality photos taken on check in.no cleaning done prior to moving in. Then 150+ photos on checkout, marking things that are of the same if not better standard as lower.

House left in a clean and tidy state, carpets professionally cleaned prior to checkout. Issues raised during tenancy not rectified then handed the bill on checkout. Charged for items to be removed (lampshades) and other items that were there on check in, for them to only still be in the property on marketing photos when the house was then to be sold, this is actually fraud.yet when raising this issue given the response that it's nothing to do with me anymore.it is when it's my money you are taking.

Poor customer service, no one actually wants to talk to you or discuss anything unless money is involved. Absolutely no ownership of things that they could have improved. They even tried to charge me for flooring that the landlord was going out to replace during the tenancy.thankfully I had the email evidence to support this. They will tell you you can dispute how much they are charging with an "independent adjudicator". however they seem to send different information to said company.resulting in me then being charged for something I was never asked to in the first place. Boydens massively over inflate how much they are charging you so that in then end when you partially win your dispute as we did they still end up with more than what they are entitled too.

I have effectively footed the bill for the landlord to then refurbish and sell the house.shame the landlord didn't see fit to make these improvements when I was a tenant. Thank goodness I am finally on the property ladder.

Most reliable, friendly, and quick to act agency I had the pleasure to rent from. Would strongly recommend to anyone that wants to be treated properly and find the most suitable properties for their needs.

I have recently re-let my rental property and Debbie Pasque at Boydens provided a super service. She provided a detailed breakdown of all interested parties that enabled me to make a considered decision and has made the whole process pain free.

Unfortunately for us the tenants left the flat in a terrible state, we were shocked and distressed. But fortunately for us Patricia Fields and Tammy Mitchell came to our aid. They were brilliant and we couldn't have managed without them. The flat was cleaned and repainted throughout within a week. We were covered by the nil deposit scheme, which sided in our favour and not the tenants, so practically the full cost of putting things right was covered financially. Tammy Fields who organised everything and put in the claim on our behalf was outstanding, friendly and efficient. I would give Tammy and Patricia a five star rating. Many thanks to Boydens. Fiona

Gemma was a fundamental part of our house buying process, and working with her was a delight. She is incredibly experienced and proactive, and we received high levels of communication throughout. Highly recommend! Overall the team at Boydens were great to work with, and it was massively appreciated.

Boydens have been amazing. From the moment Katie showed us around the property, she was very polite and knowledgeable. Debbie got us through referencing stress free and provided prompt replies when needed. Thank you guys!

Essex Wildlife Trust have been using Boydens management package for the last 7 months and we have found them to be highly professional. Their knowledge of the rental market, properties and legislation is excellent and they found us a new tenant very quickly, with no gap between the last tenant leaving. Very responsive to e mails and requests and they have a very good pool of maintenance contractors for our use. We highly rate Debbie P, Brian P and Patricia in maintenance.

Boydens staff have been so helpful, thank you Barry and Clare for showing myself and my sister around our now new home. A huge thank you to Katie for responding to all of our queries and making everything run as good as it could be.

I would like to thank Amy Buxton for her professional and friendly approach looking after us with the successful sale of our previous property. In a quiet time for house sales Amy gave good advice, kept us well informed of people interested and their status, also showing some of them around our property which coupled with the original property photos and description gave an excellent and balanced representation of our previous home.

After subject to contract sale Amy proactively telephoned with weekly updates about the whole chain letting us know everything that was going on right up to the successful completion. We would recommend Amy and Boydens to anyone wanting to sell their house.

Absolutely first class Estate Agents, they gave us regular updates, spoke to Solicitors on a regular basis. Cannot fault this Agents which is rare nowadays. Would highly recommend for Purchasing or Selling your property. Well done to Barry, Amy & the rest of the Team.

I can't speak highly enough of Boydens. Katie Wood was exceptional. I experienced several challenges during my house sale/purchase and really feel that the service from Boydens went over and above. Boydens took a lot of the stress out of the situation and made sure that I was kept in the loop at all times.

After a not so good experience with another agent I fortunately found Boydens and what a difference! Clare took us under her wing and kept us advised every step of the way. All the staff were more than helpful and extremely professional. Within two months they had found our purchaser and we had completed. We couldn't ask for more. I can't rate them highly enough.