Manning Stainton Head Office

After nearly 3 years as a tenant, I gave notice because I bought my own house. The landlord agreed to re-market the property and I paid their re-marketing fee almost 2 months in advance. That’s when the chaos started. They carried out an inspection and—despite ALL previous inspections calling the property “perfect”—suddenly claimed it was “not in good condition” and needed redecorating. I immediately asked them to tell me if I had damaged anything so I could fix it. Silence for weeks. Then they sent a second inspector who was shocked at the first report and said the property was fine to list. Manning Stainton then admitted it was their own fault for the huge delay in putting it back on the market. This incompetence wasted over six weeks and left me paying rent and bills unnecessarily. When they finally found a new tenant, they told me I still had to wait another month before they could move in – and that I had to keep paying rent and bills until then. So, I’m left out of pocket because of their own delays, bad communication, and contradictory inspections. This agency is disorganised, unprofessional, and shows zero accountability. If you want to protect your time, money, and sanity, do not rent or deal with Manning Stainton under any circumstances. They will happily take your money, waste your time, and leave you paying for their own mistakes.

If you want your deposit back then find a different letting agent. This review is specifically about the Moortown office but be aware if you’re renting in and around Roundhay then the property is managed by Moortown. 1. When I first moved in the place (May 2021) it looked generally clean but it was grimey to touch the insides of cupboards. The carpet was covered in stains and laid in 2005 (the previous tenant had been running a takeaway out of the property). We spent hours cleaning and I sent lots of pictures of the state of the carpet to Manning. A member of staff made a comment about me sending too many and it not being necessary. The landlady attended and scrubbed the carpets on her hands and knees and said “I think it needs a new one”, new carpets never happened. Fast forward to leaving the property December 2024 they wanted to charge me to clean the same carpet for the same stains. This also wasn’t handled correctly. They did not send me their final report of the property, my deposit or any correspondence for almost 2 weeks. I contacted them and they said somebody was on leave and the landlord hadn’t agreed to return the deposit so couldn’t do anything. So I asked for the check out report (twice). The report showed the carpet was in the same condition as when we started (I’d argue better) and two bulbs were out, everything else was above and beyond how we had gained the property (I’d paid for cleaners). So I messaged the landlord and explained it’s been over two weeks, my first mortgage payment is double, it’s Christmas and the report shows no issues so please can I have my deposit back. She said Manning had told her there were issues so would ask them for evidence. I provided her with the check out report and she contacted them. Still I heard nothing from Manning so I emailed again. Somebody from Manning rang me on 23/12 and explained he could return part of deposit so I could have some money before Christmas, but not all of it because carpet cleaning had been recommended. When I explained I would take this to the ombudsman he was dismissive and acted like he was doing me a favour by giving me a partial payment of my own money back… (it wasn’t a gift John). I explained the report shows no problems but the member of staff said they couldn’t do anything because they didn’t write the report (what’s the point of a report if only the person who writes it can use it). After I rejected a partial payment it seemed that finally somebody had came to their senses and did the job that should have been done in the beginning. They checked my report at the start and the end and agreed to pay me my deposit back (I’ll receive it after all the shops are closed for Christmas, when it could have been processed 2+ weeks ago). They did keep £5 for a rent payment however, and I don’t understand their calculation of this but it’s a small price to pay to never have to speak to Manning again. An example of how they treat you during your tenancy, a carbon monoxide alarm needed installing so they emailed and asked if they could attend at a set date and time. I informed them that was not a good day and proposed a range of others. I did not hear back. It was then the day they proposed, I received a number of phone calls whilst at a funeral (hence the date not being ideal). I finally answered and it was Manning very rude that I hadn’t answered the phone, demanding to know my alarm code as it had been going off when they entered the property... I asked if they could leave the property and they said they were almost finished. I was rudely told that they must always know the alarm code. Difficult to do this when they let themselves into your home without permission. Due to this and being a teacher (unable to just take calls) I asked for all visits to be in writing but the calls continued and staff were rude when I asked them to put it in an email. Not sure if there’s an official body I can complain to but I will be looking into it post Christmas.

My partner and I bought our first home through Manning Stainton. Hannah Butland was brilliant. She kept us well informed throughout the whole process. We had been renting and were unable to extend our lease. Hannah was fantastic at enabling us to complete quickly. We were given a welcome pack when we collected the keys which was a lovely touch. Thank you

By far the best estate agents we have ever used. Yvonne at Head Office went above and beyond for our house move. We had regular communication and Yvonne made the whole process as easy as possible. I believe that we wouldn't have received the same level of service at another estate agents in Leeds and I am very grateful. I would not hesitate to recommend Yvonne at Manning Stainton. Paul at the Adel branch was also excellent.

Excellent first visit - Sue was most welcoming and showed us around 3 flats, 2 in the Mill and 1 in the new build. This enabled us to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each flat. Our second visit was to show our daughter around and once again we were able to see flats in both the Mill and in the new build - this confirmed our choice. Our third visit was to reserve the flat of our choice, having received a firm offer on our own house. We found Sue was well organised and led us through the various steps quite easily. We are now waiting for the legal work to be done - soon!