Portico Property - Acton Avis 

I was a tenant with Portico from Dec 2022-Jun 2024. There were a plethora of issues during our tenancy. First, there were several months of delays in putting in agreed-upon fixes in our rental agreement. Second, we received delayed service when a boiler did work on a winter weekend (the emergency line provided no solution, so we needed a hotel for the night, as a toddler needs heat). Third, our ceiling fell down it needed a month to have it replaced. Fourth, Portico tried to charge us for things on the move-out that we previously damaged before the move-in. There were more issues that I have not listed.

The positive is that the company does have some good on-the-ground folks (people they hire to do the repairs, safety inspections). The last property manager and our original letting agent were good. (This does not reflect on our last letting agent or office staff as they were not there long). Both are no longer with company.

I have thought about what they could do better as a company and I would offer that: 1) they hire more people which seems like a need (this is also according to an on-the-ground person). 2) hire people who care about the work and the tenants 3) try to keep good people (I'm not sure why they have so much turnover). We had two property managers and two letting agents in eighteen months. 4) you should not have to make a complaint for a company to act. 5) With so much turnover details get lost and things fall through the cracks. (For instance we never had an move-in inspection until three months later).

My advice is to take lots of pictures when you move in, document everything (you will be asked about it when you move out), do not give your rights away, and avoid Portico at all costs.

Dishal is my new property manager and so far he has been very proactive, professional and helpful. He has been easy to reach and quick to respond. There are a couple of issues that have been unresolved since I've moved in but hopefully as he's taken over these will be dealt with quickly. Thanks Dishal!