W J Meade Estate Agents

Shockingly dishonnest. Hear my story for WJ MEADE HIGHAMS PARK E4.
As a tenant, I found out the local estate agent amended details with his handwriting on the standing order mandate to commit fraud on my bank account. I had already paid 300£ admin fees to secure the flat, a 800£ deposit and 800£ rent in advance by bankdraft, plus all references. But they changed the date on the standing order and submitted it to my bank directly, and an extra 800£ was taken without notice 17 days before it was due. I had to cancel my holidays and went through a very difficult financial time. I was told I was ‘not out of pocket’ and that it wasnt a big deal. They denied the fraudulent action, kept the advance rent and claimed it was my bank’s mistake, while my bank director and Ombusdman confirmed the fraud with evidence of the amended order copy themselves. When confronted with facts, the said estate agent almost made fun of me.
I also found out the rental contract sent later by post had been changed to a non-​breakable clause for a year on my side and extra pages not shown in the estate agency on the day of signature.
After some complaints over maintenance that were luckily adressed thanx to the landlord assistance, however the fraud issue was not acknowledged or adressed by the management and no apologies or compensation took place (antisocial behaviour from direct neighbours on a daily basis which must explain the one year non-​breakable clause for the tenant in the contract, I suppose).
After all the administration mixup, I was contacted by the landlord directly who told me he would sell the property promptly for personal emergency, but then changed his mind the next day. I insisted I would no longer put up with the living nightmare and wanted to leave. I was finally served a section 21 notice only having spent 4 months in the rental property. I have spent over 3000£ to move as a tenant to this flat, bought some furniture and white goods, for a property with a rent way over the market value and antisocial neighbours you wouldnt want to deal with. I’ve been through a complete nightmare and will not have a penny back for the distress caused since day one. It has costed all my savings, all my energy and I am truly horrified by their unlawful methods.
Avoid at all costs, especially if you are a single professional/​woman, no matter how badly you need to find a place, you will save yourself a great deal of stress and loss of earnings, these people have no standards or ethics, they are ready to do absolutely everything to get your money in their pockets.

Unimpressive. We were tenants when waiting to buy in Bow and they allowed us to move in despite the landlord not having the legally required electrical and gas safety checks. When we moved out 6 weeks ago we expected our £2000 deposit returned immediately, six weeks later we are still waiting.
I am not going to use them again, the choice in Bow isn’t good but they are estate agents I would advise avoiding if possible.

As a landlord I was daft enough to use WJ Meade for a 2^nd time. They are the most dishonest, lazy and fraudulent agency I have ever used. My experiences include
Lease issued with signatures forged by WJ Meade staff
Tennancy agreement given without taking full desposit, but telling me they had the full deposit
Provision of false references
I could go on, but the above should have put you off by now. AVOID!!!