The Leasehold Advisory Service Reviews 1,332

I was advised my CAB to call this company due to them being unable to advise on building insurance. So I called them, it says if you have an appointment press 1 for anything else, 2, the phone then rang, not telling me my position, started wondering if it was manned at all, it got answered over 20 minutes, I explained CAB had referred me, she said, 'Well you need to book an appointment' I said, that's fine, could I do that please, 'well, you have to go online to do this' she said, like I was supposed to know this.

She was very unhelpful, and the site is very difficult, CAB said they are unable to help, and this company website options are only for flats, not houses, and does not allow for any other option. So unable to book an appointment or even ask for advise on who could advise me.

I appreciate it's a free service but it's a poor one.

Had a great experience this morning. Had an appointment booked for a 15 minute appointment. I did have to wait in a queue to speak to someone, which seemed a bit odd, but I still got a 15 minute appointment just a bit later than scheduled. I had my questions prepared, as I knew 15 minutes would fly. The advisor gave me some great advice, related to aspects of the law I didn't know. I would say best to prepare well, and think if your question/s are concise enough to be answered in 15 minutes.

ZERO POINTS WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE
I have tried calling these people NUMEROUS TIMES Robot answers (so call charges begin), the usual push this button push that button do all of that NOBODY EVER ANSWERS THE CALLS. it just keeps ringing out quite literally for 20/30 + minutes each time STILL NO RESPONSE. Each time wasting both my valuable time and my money on useless calls WHICH MUST BE PAID FOR BECAUSE THE CALL HAS BEEN CONNECTED. Does this service even EXIST ?? TRUST PILOT YOU ASK FOR A SPECIFIC DATE AND THEN ONLY GIVE SPACE FOR ONE DATE - THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES NOW and nowhere to put any of the other dates !! Trust Pilot
Please get this situation sorted out to give reviewers a better service with the ability to give full answers and all relevant dates with a view to getting proper help.

The people who take the calls have poor English and are not even in the UK. They are not solicitors, they seem to be uni students or have done minimal company training. They do not have the knowledge to answer the questions.

Waiting on line for 20 minutes, before being transferred to reception and told no one can speak with you. You need to book well in advance, waiting upto 3 weeks and it doesn't make sense the waiting time is longer than the call, without the ability to connect. Upon being informed a call would be rescheduled, the same thing happens again. The reception have no co-ordination or adequate communication with team around what is happening. I'm sure there is useful utility of this service if they can better communicate and co-ordinate matching with appointments.

Their stock answer to the simplest of questions is 'seek professional advice'. All useful practical advice on running an RTM company is apparently outside of their scope.

Have used this service many times over the years with satisfactory results. However I am finding now that it very much depends on who you get on the phone. I have been unlucky to get the same adviser 3 times and she is veering on aggressive added to which I cannot understand what she is saying. Waste of time and I had to end the call as she just kept repeating a response without fully understanding my situation. Will keep re booking an appointment until I get someone I have had before

The website is useful but the advisor I was given was incompetent. I was incorrectly advised that the landlords can do what they want with the reserve fund as they are not asking for money, however this was all contributed to by leaseholders and we have been served a section 20 notice! Unsure what qualifies someone as an advisor as she was not even familiar with what is on the website.

I submitted a question using the online form over two weeks ago and have had no response. Frustratingly, I haven't even received an acknowledgement that my question has been received or an indication of the response time.

The same thing happened last year. Eventually, I got tired of waiting so booked a phone call, but I was told that I had to choose between getting a written response to my question or proceeding with the call and get nothing in writing!

Just come this govt advice service to be told what you already know - You have a lease - you are over a barrel - you just pay-of course they will advise you go to a tribunal and then the leeches that oversee your lease will add their legal fees to your service charge on top of what their taking off you already.
So the property management leeches will still keep legally ducking and diving, leeching your money or even disappearing with it And until our useless govt who have lots of talk with no action, reform leasehold laws this legalised theft wont stop.
As an update I am rid of the fleecehold property -no thanks to the rubbish advice I got here - This service is not fit for purpose in my view -a waste of taxpayers money.
I hope the new govt does better when Gove and his mates are kicked out !

Waste of time..we have 15 minutes of free advice
I've tried twice once in September and once tonight
All I'm told is they have no time to look at or read the relevant section of a lease ..
We have to go to a website go to contact - written advice and fill in an electronic form ..when I try and send photos of the lease it don't accept photos, or files, only PDF which is expensive.
Total waste of time
Won't accept emails also refused to look at my file which ad all the lease information there in the file I sent in September.
Why don't they give a 30 minute advice and charge a fee nope won't do that
So can't send emails with info
Can't talk on the phone
Won't accept a written letter with copies as it takes to long
In all a useless waste of time service...I'm so angry 😡

Philip has been an absolute gem of an advisor and has guided us through the freehold purchasing process with great attention to detail and sublime professionalism. Responding to our numerous enquiries with rapidity and patience. We would have been lost without him. I cannot recommend his company with greater emphasis. Thank you Philip.

My partner tried to speak to them today. The advisor barely let her explain the situation or get any word in edge ways and was speaking so quick and unclear it was difficult to understand what they were saying.

Kept going on about tenants and landlords as though we are renting. Wouldn't have called leasehold advice if we are renting...
The advisor also said they did not have time for her to read her things when trying to explain what has been sent to us. Literally didn't want to hear the reason for us contacting them.

Have come away more confused on our situation than before we spoke to them.

Absolute waste of time.

Sorry guys, Ha a very bad experience. I got a telephone appointment 3 days after booking. They sent me numerous messages and emails reminders of the appointment. Got an incompetent advisor who would not follow my explanation, continuosly digress from the issue with siilly insignificant remarks. Then hurrying me as she had to take the next call. Unbelivable. Oh, and her advice? get a solicitor and take them to court. Wasted my time completely

I only wish I knew about this service before buying my share of freehold flat. I was given clear, concise, and useful advice and information on my issues. Am very impressed that this service exists. And the fact that I am free to call again if anything else arises also gives me great peace of mind.

They didn’t answer my call at my appointment. The next appointment is over a week away. I lost a week in a process that needed prompt action. I may be screwed😭

This place is a joke..... Booked appointment with them for today at 16:10. Got two reminders of forthcoming appointment - one at 16:05. Rang at 16:10 - put on hold for 20 mins. When someone did finally answer - took my client number then explained that no advisers available for me to speak to and would I like to book another appointment?! Spent ages writing notes to ensure I didn't miss out any thing.............complete waste of my time.

Waste of my time, i book an appointment and called right on dot , but no one to pick. Previosly spoke to some one last month gave me the basic info by draghing it of 14 mins and said 1 min left.. all basic answers nothing new. Cant answer specific questions when challenged.

Absolute waste of time. I had prepared all my notes in advance so that I could give an accurate, concise explanation of my query. The person who came to answer my
call was absolutely pathetic. Her level of English was so low she couldn't understand what I was asking. Her accent was so thick I could barely understand her. She she gave no advice whatsoever. Hopeless
Look at your reviews!!! NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE