I rented my flat privately for 8 years. After years of battling to get any maintenance done I reported my landlady to the council. 3 months later Martin & Co took over the management of my flat. I cannot say it's been a positive experience. Within a week I had a rent increase of £100 a month after they inspected the property. Within a month myself and another couple were issued with a Section 21 (we clearly were problem tenants and no other tenant was evicted). I have since heard that a new tenant was told that the landlady is looking for long term tenants and she's had to sign a 12 month fixed term tenancy and she has a bowl catching water from a leaking toilet! Although another rumour is that the owner plans to sell the flats of those who have been evicted. Take whatever you hear at viewings with a pinch of salt! Since September 2023 I have been grieving the loss of my Mother, my beloved elderly cat and I've been unwell with a gallstone and the stress of being evicted. In a town that has a huge housing crisis and extremely high rents it's been horrendous stressful to find alternative accommodation, but I managed it by some miracle. When I told them I was leaving they wanted proof in the form of a copy of my new tenancy agreement so I could avoid being taken to court as I'd stayed after my section 21 expiry date (Easter Sunday!) I was advised by Cornwall Council not to make myself intentionally homeless and I could exercise my right to stay if I hadn't found somewhere to live. They have now inspected the property after I left and implied I have left a pane of glass broken and just left a plastic film over it along with damage to a door that I had no choice in damaging after the catch dropped and I was unable to open it and it was a potential fire risk. They have formed an opinion of me and majority of the staff haven't even been to the property. And not one member of staff even offered any understanding for the horrendous 6 months I'd had. How can they comment on the state of a property 8 years ago when they have only been managing it for 5 months, nor know of the full history or battles myself and other tenants have had to adure? I feel like I've been branded as a bad tenant and a criminal for simply exercising my rights to have a property that I pay rent on properly maintained. I'm now trying to get my deposit back. Although I have heard my previous landlady is paying my former next door neighbour to decorate the property. Something she actually refused to do for me and told me it was my responsibility once I'd moved in. If you rent do your research because you will be told things that aren't necessarily correct. And if any of the maintenance team or management of this company read this they should read their own blog about locks and my email about the broken lock!