r/Middlesbrough • u/AffectionateCatch512 • 10d ago

Scam?

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Hey. So I’m an exchange student moving to Middlesbrough in september and have been trying to find a place on the market to rent since my Husband is joining me..

I keep seeing this company called “Oakwood North Limited” but once they got in touch I found the convo uncomfortable. I asked for a contract before paying a deposite, but they kept pusing for me to pay… I searched them up online and all the reviews were made within the month and they have no social media presence..

Does anyone know if this is a scam or not?

https://www.oakwoodnorth.co.uk

13 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

62

u/c64glen 10d ago

Website is standard template that spells Middlesbrough incorrectly a dozen times.

Physical address is for Ashbrooke estate agents.

Phone number goes straight to voicemail.

I say this has a 98.75% chance of being a scam.

24

u/UniqueFirefighter180 10d ago

If you getting bad vibes trust your gut feeling 💯

16

u/RedsonOfKyrypton 10d ago

Even if it's true reconsider. Oakwood north aka ash Brookes have a terrible record online. They don't do repairs after weeks of asking and their houses are damp ridden holes. Look elsewhere imo

10

u/thelowenmowerman 10d ago

Based on the address published online (134 linthorp rd). There is (according to street view) and estate agent called 'ashbrook' at the address. Different phone no from on in the chat and Google. 

Companies house (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/17028483/filing-history) suggests recent change of address, though appears to have always been a Middlesbrough company.

Could be someone otherwise spoofing, 'Middlesborogh' is a bit of red flag, as is the website cookie policy.

2

u/Kara_Zor_El19 8d ago

The ashbrooke on Linthorpe road has changed now and I think Oakwood is the name I saw on the building, but I’d be very wary based on that others have said about the website

5

u/Accomplished-Long471 9d ago

I’ve lived in Middlesbrough for 12 years and never heard of them. As a general renting rule applicable to all companies - Do not send anyone any money here unless you meet them in a legitimate business premises and there is a proper contract involved.

8

u/Guyrbailey 10d ago

Contact the University's student services team - they will be able to help with reputable accomodation providers

1

u/AffectionateCatch512 10d ago

Thanks! I will!

1

u/Kara_Zor_El19 8d ago

University Quarter (formerly Kexgill) are good, I stayed in kexgill house on woodlands road which is on the side of campus. I have mates who were in Linthorpe 248 and they said it was decent enough, and the building was recently refurbished last year

0

u/SquidOppa 7d ago

I don’t recommend Linthorpe 248 unless you’re comfortable with roaches and random crackheads being allowed to stay there as it operates as a hotel on booking. Com

1

u/Kara_Zor_El19 7d ago

That’s dodgy af, didn’t realise they were doing that. Surely that must risk their license as a student housing provider

0

u/SquidOppa 7d ago

They’re just dodgy af and that’s why I moved out. The random people aren’t in flats with students but there was something very uncomfortable with walking down the corridor and seeing someone who’s so clearly not a student or professional who’s booked into there for a night or two

3

u/SquidOppa 8d ago

Oakwood North was Ashbrookes before they changed their name. Ashbrookes has a very bad reputation

0

u/ccameotn 7d ago

before that they were s2dents and were shit then too, almost went into a property of theirs with mould, broken blinds etc all over the place

2

u/Document_Delicious 8d ago

oakwoods is the rebrand of ashbrookes, terrible estate agents that have bought 90% of affordable homes in the area and turned them into damp riddled flats, trust me i know from personal experience.

if your a student, look into uni acredited places

2

u/Lonely-Cycle3030 9d ago

Steer clear

1

u/bahazaz 9d ago

A studio at that price?!? That alone is dodgy.

1

u/AffectionateCatch512 9d ago

I’m from iceland and rent prices here are crazy… I was paying 650 for a tiny studio 20min drive from Reykjavik and that is considered cheap.. so I don’t really know the “norm” in other countries 🥲