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Ok, so this is going to be a tricky review to be positive about. I want to be as honest and helpful to people reading this review, rather than just say I am annoyed at something and give it a one star. If you don’t have much time to read through this, then please read this headline:
I massively regret using Thornley groves. They were genuinely awful, barely reached any level of competence, I ended up LOSING money, and it was hugely stressful. I only rented a place. I cannot imagine ever buying or selling with them. Please read the other reviews carefully and don’t dismiss them as I did. I wish you the best in whatever estate agents you choose. This review is my opinion and not meant to affect business with Thornley Groves in any way.
OK, on with the detail.
First, the good parts. They had a lot of choice and were quick to get me viewings (I did them through video or pictures) and were happy as campers to ‘get me in’ and on their books.
Yep, that’s it. That’s all I have.
The not so good (not even the worst parts yet). I dealt with the Deansgate (Whitworth street) branch and with an absolutely abysmal person, Peter. If you do choose Thornley Groves and get assigned Peter, do or say whatever you can to work with someone else. I am not sure how to put this without being cruel, but I also owe it to my (soon to be) Manchester neighbours to be honest. This is my honest opinion. Peter is, without a doubt, the worst person I have ever dealt with professionally. Genuinely. That is not even hyperbole. He is inadequate, lazy, afraid of basic tasks, unable or unwilling to do anything even at the bare minimum level, and honestly just embarrassing as a fellow human. He wouldn’t return emails. Ever. In fact, he did but only when it came to sending them money or signing a document. Anything that needed any effort or work, he literally ignored. He is like a toddler but in an adult body. Simply unable to operate at any sort of adult level.
I had to call and call and call. I even got the train from London to the office so I could literally use my own mobile phone and dial numbers to connect with others, so he could talk to them. He used my phone because he couldn’t make a phone call for himself. (He also claimed he tried but could never get it to work, but it took me literally three minutes. Genuinely, I have the call log!).
He didn’t give me the correct keys to move in. Once we got through it, Peter gave me the front door key and I asked if there were any others. Mail keys, apartment building keys, etc. He assured me no. Literally all keys were needed. It took me 3 weeks and speaking with other people at Thornle Groves to get the window key (still waiting on), apartment building/trash room key, and mailbox key. Even when I collected the keys, I overheard him talking to another person that very day, just before me, saying he gave the wrong keys to him.
Also, they don’t tell you who your service providers are. I spent a few weeks tracking down who I need to pay bills to. You are given a list of UK service providers and that’s it, just figure it out for yourself.
Lastly, the goodlord referencing company were just as bad as Thornley groves. They sent so many referring emails to my employer (they only need one but sent around 6 over the course of weeks) I had the owner of the company asking me what was going on. They took weeks longer than needed. It cost me around 500GBP in hotels for the delay, and they lied, multiple times about things they were doing. One lie was to say that my company had never replied (even though the owner and head of HR showed me the replies themselves).
Thornley Groves chose to use that specific referencing company. Their behaviour also reflects on them.
If you have read this far, then fair play, this one was a long review. The thing is, I don’t believe this is a one off. I am not just some random person with a grudge, I am like you. Looking for a new place, wanting it to go as smoothly as possible. I have all my ducks in a row, great credit, good job, charm and charisma (well, maybe not), and it was still a nightmare choosing Thornley Groves and, ergh, dare I say his name, Peter. The abomination they call Peter!
I wish I had took the other 1-star reviews more seriously. I thought they were just some disgruntled people and it would be fine. It wasn’t. I deeply deeply regret ever speaking to Thornely Groves.... Read more
1st Jul 2026 (4 days ago)