Reputable Lettings Agents?

Anyone have recommendations for reputable lettings agents in London, specifically the areas of: Hampstead, Kensington, Kew/Richmond, and Putney?  I have been trying to do our housing search myself, but I'm so wary of contacting an agent when I don't know anything about the company.

Does the UK have some kind of ratings system for companies, or something like our Better Business Bureau?

My fiancé works for a company called Aspire and they have an office in Putney.  He's been in the business for over five years & seems to like the place, so I trust that they are reputable!

Don't go with Foxtons.  They are a chain all over London, but my fiancé hates them with a passion.  I'll ask him when he gets home from work tonight if can recommend some good agents in that area.

I've heard bad things about Foxtons, just fyi. No personal experience but just that they're a bit cutthroat and have been investigated for fraud. Not sure how much is true or how recent that is. Dexter's seems quite nice, at least the office in Kingston.

There was a TV documentary last year that uncovered fraudulent activity in a Foxton's office so that is probably where the stories you have heard have come from.  Definitely a company to avoid. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/4876542.stm

also apparently some bigwig in Foxton's threatened to burn down my relo agent's place a while back. I'm told they have little training in general and work on more % commission than most other agents so they're driven to do more underhanded tactics to make a living. That's all 2nd hand from my relo agent. She said she hates dealing with them.

This is absolutely true.  Foxton's agents make NO basic salary, so they work off commission only.  You can only imagine what people desperate for a sale/let would do in this circumstance, since it could mean the difference in being able to afford rent or not.

FWIW, Foxton's isn't the only agency does this, but they are one of the biggees I know of personally that do not pay a basic salary.

If you ask how many agents working in other agencies are ex-Foxtons, you'd be astounded.  Their turnover rate is incredible - both staff AND clients!!

Foxtons is very good for viewing... use them to see all that you can, but don't do any dealings with them.
My oldest friend who now lives here is an estate agent, and the Assistant Manager of the South Kensington office of Faron Sutaria, which is a highly reputable agent.
So of course I recommend you call him!  If nothing else, he will give you great information about the best way to look for properties (he gave me the tip about using Foxton's for viewing, but nothing more!).

Foxtons is very good for viewing... use them to see all that you can, but don't do any dealings with them.
My oldest friend who now lives here is an estate agent, and the Assistant Manager of the South Kensington office of Faron Sutaria, which is a highly reputable agent.
So of course I recommend you call him!  If nothing else, he will give you great information about the best way to look for properties (he gave me the tip about using Foxton's for viewing, but nothing more!).

true, my relo agent said they have the best website (floor plans, etc)

How do you go about finding out about places for rent? I've checked rightmove and they have very little for rent.
Also, is a lease required or can go month to month?

How do you go about finding out about places for rent? I've checked rightmove and they have very little for rent.
Also, is a lease required or can go month to month?

rightmove has alot to rent depending on location and requirements... where are you moving to and what are your req? there is no multiple listing system. I think you'll find that a lease is usually required.