As this is a fairly local forum with a majority of renters - which letting agents would people recomend or advise to stay away from?

Bush Management are a pretty straight bunch and l'd rate them as best in Norwich.

Brown and Co seem OK overall as well, although still waiting on a repair.

Steer well clear of Tops or JSM.

With Arnolds at the moment, they seem OK, although the office are slow to get things done, and bad at returning calls etc. They were previously relaxed about inspections, but then they started inspections every 4 months for all properties, which was really getting my goat, but have just relaxed it to every 6 months (still too often in my book, quiet enjoyment and all that, but hey!).

A handyman that came a while ago said they can be reluctant to pay their invoices, but the gasman that came to fix the boiler over Christmas gave them a good review in comparison to other agencies they do work for - I figure these guys have a better idea about the agency than myself, as they have to deal with them more frequently - and it's difficult to tell how much delay is down to the letting agent, or the LL being slow to get back to the LA - although I suspect it's the LAs fault more!

I would say stay well away from JSM - as far away as possible in fact!

Several friends ended up having to go to the small claims court to get their deposits back and when I left a house the letting agent who checked it beforehand spent nearly 2hours checking the house and then they deducted £50 from my deposit as a cupboard door was in her opinion dirty - having had 2 of us spend about 8 hours each cleaning the entire house from top to bottom i wasn't impressed - but they wouldnt budge.

I'd never rent via them again needless to say!

Been with Sapey & Co since December, had some problems with the 4yr old house I'm in now but both the Landlord and Sapeys have been excellent, fixing the problems very quickly. Its a large 3 bed semi was advertised for £795 I got it for 12months for £650.

Was with Elliots for last 7/8 months got deposit back in full but had problems with the house and things werent done right, like had a gas safety cert which was produced but gas equipment was never checked. Despite writing to Corgi they are not interested becuase no actual work was carried out! Landlord of this property had been trying to sell for a few years and had dropped asking price by nearly 10% to try to shift it. Anyway wouldnt touch Elliots again and because of problems with my deposit placement handing the case over to a solicitor now to test the new 2004 Housing Act.

Having moved from Bishops Stortford because of the Airport turning the area into a new Slough imo, I would recommend Airport Lettings at Stansted Airport as well, Terry and his team are very fair, I've even had letters from my landlords thanking me for being an excellent tenant because I always leave the house very clean. Only had one deposit partially withheld which later got back through the courts because the LA was very sharp and employed the sword of damilolas. He's now sold his letting and estate agency and moved into QuickCashForProperty!

What they chased the landlord from the library and stabbed him in the leg?

Thanks for that. We were about to rent from JSM, but ended up with Goddards. Not that much better to be honest, especially with repairs.