| Member since : | 3 Oct 2023 |
| Manually reviewed : | 4 Oct 2023 |
| Last updated : | 18 Feb 2026 |
| 3 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 1 |
We rented a property managed by Steven Binney from May 2016 to October 2025. When we moved in, the flat was already in poor condition, but we had just arrived in Edinburgh and needed somewhere urgently. Although we initially planned to stay only short term, we ended up living there for almost ten years. Throughout the tenancy, the biggest issue was the lack of meaningful maintenance or upgrades. The rent increased whenever possible, yet the property was never repainted and the wooden floors, which had large gaps from day one, were never repaired. Steven never reached out to offer renovations or even basic improvements, despite the length of our tenancy. One positive was that if something went wrong, such as heating issues or leaks, tradesmen were arranged quickly. However, on more than one occasion a rent increase followed soon after the repairs, which felt unreasonable given the overall neglected condition of the flat. The most frustrating experience came when we moved out. When we requested our deposit back, Steven pointed out small issues that we had already mentioned to him long in advance. We had even asked if he wanted us to fix them before leaving, and he told us not to, only to later charge us full replacement costs for old or previously damaged items. An example was attempting to charge for a brand new door when only the glass panel needed replacing. Communication became very poor as soon as the deposit was brought up. He also claimed we were still occupying the property because a few plants and items were temporarily left in the communal stairwell, a space shared with neighbours who had no issue with it. During the entire ten years, the landlord never once offered to repaint the property, replace carpets or carry out upgrades, yet expected it to be returned in a better condition than when we moved in. We even painted and maintained parts of the flat ourselves just to make it more comfortable to live in. Overall, our long-term experience with Steven showed a lack of proper upkeep, frequent rent increases without improvements, and uncooperative behaviour at the end of the tenancy. While urgent repairs were dealt with quickly, the standard of management was far below what long-term tenants should reasonably expect.Moreexpand_more
I had an excellent experience with this letting agency, thanks to Steven the letting agent. He was incredibly helpful and attentive throughout my tenancy. Whenever I had a question or needed assistance, Steven was there to provide guidance and support. His dedication and willingness to go the extra mile made me feel truly taken care of. Steven is a truly compassionate and professional letting agent. He cares deeply about his tenants, providing both personal support and a high level of expertise. Any maintenance issues I had were always addressed and resolved promptly. I couldn't have asked for a better rental experience.
As a new landlord, I have been delighted with the services provided by Binney and Co! There was a lot for me to learn and the incredible advice, knowledge and professionalism was exceptional. They are so supportive and always available when I have questions or need advice. I would highly recommend the outstanding services from Binney and Co to any landlord looking for a letting agent to manage their property.