Menu
CB Residential Rentals Property Concepts UK An employer severely mistreating and harassing employees!
Property Concepts UK

Property Concepts UK review: An employer severely mistreating and harassing employees! 186

R
Author of the review
12:00 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Writing it again because of one ugly word I used in the last one so not having got through. This company used to employ me for 2 months. Already so much have I written on them that I don't feel like repeating myself. To cut the story short, they use "vulnerable" people to make money for themselves (e.g. longterm unemployed or foreigners as me who apparently have lower rights) and not pay them the due wages and bully them.

They run an ongoing recruitment process which is a mockery at the word "recruitment". Then after a few days 90%resign not getting paid. The others cherish hope to earn good money and strive still on. They can use every excuse in order to avoid payment of the wages.

For example their T&C's state that after you had visited the property, you must prepare fully formatted blunder-free Excel version of the inventory in 24 hours, and also send it with the pictures. Which is in most case not physically possible when you are given a couple of estates to visit a day. So you travel round london 9am-9pm and then you are "obliged" to sit and work through the night on your reports (remember - any blunder as even small misspelling can exclude you from paying in 100% and so can also the lack of photos or photos being not ideal - at their discretion). Next day to work remember!

If you have submitted e.g. 79 reports for the month behind you and you still are behind with a single one, or you don't have a set of pics for any one of the 80 lets say jobs, you will not get paid for the whole month. You will never see a payslip whatsoever. They give you small advances (as they call them) for survival - 150 pounds a week or every two weeks.

By the way, "advances" are money that are not yet due to workers (if you were paid for the last month and before the end of another). After money's due (after 1st month) the cash pays cannot be called advances if the 1st month wages wasn't fully paid out, isn't it? They are installments of money that's already been due to you for some time. And I had to beg them for these "installments" because I said I had no money for tickets to get round to properties and for food and rent.

The issue is now investigated by the employment tribunal. They will probably issue a default payment order. This is not it. Andrew (boss) want to sue me and get back of all those "advances" which asa whole amount to 1290 pounds and he somehow figured out himself the sum of 2000!

This is not it. I was multiple times called on my mobile and intimidated including using swearwords.

Also, he has many times blackmailed me that my payslip will not be done unless I finish this report or the other (but eventually he did not keep his promise when i did those reports). Those behaviors when I reported them to Jobcentre lady were described by her simply as harassment and bullying at work. There are proper paragraphs for it in the law!

Of course the excuse that I shouldn't have been paid those advances he came up with now is that i did not submitted my jobs in 24 hours time (above) and several of the jobs lacked pictures (which delay and lack of pictures he didn't mind AT ALL ALTOGETHER WHATSOEVER before my struggle for my due money with him started thru the Empl.Trib.). I urge you not to try start working for him and if you are an estate agency, I leave it to your wisdom and consideration whether you want to place orders with them for inventory makes or not.

I would better not if I were you. I know the inventory clerk of theirs are very good (me for example) but remember - it's a sly-very based company!

Update by Raphael
Jan 26, 2008 7:09 am EST

Jean Baptiste, are you considering legal action?

Update by Raphael
Apr 30, 2008 11:38 am EDT

wow I can see that the list of the wronged is gradually and continually increasing!
Darren Russell? Yes, it is definiately Andrew Carlton a few years ago on the picture.

Who would suspect they were employed by a crook and criminal.

And good news - Employment Tribunal issued me with a default judgemnt of late, let's see if he doesn't ignore even this one!

Update by Raphael
Jan 25, 2009 3:46 pm EST

I only wanted to say that Mr. Carlton has finally paid Darnell (he wasn't procrastinating very much) but he is still avoiding to pay the ordered money from the Employment Tribunal to me.

As I said at the beginning I was born in Poland and as a non-English person I was and am treated by him in the same way the non-white British people are, ie. worse than all the white-English employees (I don't have anything against them, but I do hate Mr. Carlton as the only English person [if only he IS English as I heard rumours he is of foreign descent, Middle East, I suggest?])

I have called the ### several times. He obviously "went on holiday" to Seychelles. Well, yes, he eventually economised sme money by failure to pay me.

I am sending the enforcement to the Bow County Court tomorrow.

Remember - do not trade with this fraudster, do not start working for him, don't be involved with him in any way if you want to stay on the safe side, steer clear of Mr. Darren Russell (Mr. Andrew Carlton), Mr. Davidson, Property Concepts UK in 10-16 Tiller Road E14 8PX, and Apple Properties and Homes Direct.

I have also made an appeal that the discrimination and bullying case be proceeded with.

I have too strong and irrefutable proofs to let him go.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

More Property Concepts UK reviews & complaints

Property Concepts UK - Oakleighs Maintenance Limited 29
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Property Concepts UK - Non Payment 2
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Property Concepts UK - Bad service, Overpriced, Fraud
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Property Concepts UK - Non payment 1
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Property Concepts UK - Fraudulent behaviour 1
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Property Concepts UK - Rip off company 1
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Property Concepts UK - £17000 Robbed
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Property Concepts UK - Wages
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
186 comments
S
S
Sid M
,
Sep 16, 2008 10:13 am EDT

Hello Deano and charlie,

I was only a temp but I remember Carina well, Andrew/darren had her running around at least 6 days a week, before i left she looked drawn and gaunt, she tried to keep everthing together. Her and Karim used to work untill all hours, I turned up one morning and Karim was still there. I dont think either of them where aware. and Karim was just as upfront as she was, it seemed they used to look out for each other alot. I am shocked to hear Carina has left as she and Andrew/Darren seemed to have a bit of a thing going on. I do know of alot of other people who have left the office, and I am sure Karim and Kristina are decent enough people and will follow suit.

P
P
P Curtis
,
Sep 16, 2008 10:05 am EDT

Deano

I'm sorry I am not aware of some of the things you are so stand corrected.

The one thing is FACT that Mr Russell is up to his old tricks playing with peoples lifes and it is these people that will suffer ! And it looks Mr Davidson totally accepts the way he is treating these people as HE IS the Director of the Company so HE is overall responsible.

Remember you are dealing with a man who Bankrupted his brother, his sister and his mother through no fault of there own accept for allowing Mr Russell to handle there affairs. He may also be classified as bankrupt but does this man look like he cares ? as he hides behind partners, doesn't even use his real name etc etc.

I really wish everyone luck and hopefully they can move on to better and easier things.

R
R
richard2
,
Sep 16, 2008 10:04 am EDT

Come off it Sid M take a look at Apple Properties website it has numerous similarities to the pcuk website, the address is the same and then we have Darren Russell located there - this s no coincidence.

R
R
richard2
,
Sep 16, 2008 10:00 am EDT

Excuse me did I just read who can afford to lose a weeks pay? What about the workers that were like 3 months pay behind? and still continued to be lied to, I don't recall Kristina for example telling/informing me that the whole thing was one big scam despite having full knowledge and ample opportunity to do so in the time I was working. In fact she made every excuse except for telling me that Darren was a con man, I thought I was working for a legit company she could have saved me a whole lot of stress by letting me know the situation but she decided against doing that.

R
R
richard2
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:53 am EDT

Charlie I would normally agree with you concerning not blaming the staff for their bosses actions but In this incidence I know for FACT not hearsay that Liz, Karim and Kristina are WELL aware of Darrens antics and indeed they themselves have contributed to others downfall/losss of wages by there own actions, they are not forced to do anything they don't wish to do are they? I don't think Carina was aware of anything until after she left and she struck me as an upfront person but the others are all creepy individuals.

S
S
Sid M
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:53 am EDT

Robert,

Almost all of the staff have left Property Concepts now, the only remaining of the bunch are still looking for work, You know yourself how hard it is to find work in London now. Give them a break they have done no wrong. and for the record Andrew/darren makes a point of paying them a day or two late (sometmes up to a week) so they wont leave, because they know if they do just leave they will lose at least a weeks wages, and who can afford to do that ? That man has so many tactics for keeping people at his mercy.

Peace yeah

P
P
P Curtis
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:45 am EDT

It is purely a very strong coincidence.

Mr Russell ran Homes Direct an estate agent many years ago made alot of people bankrupt by withholding rent as per the link previously mentioned in this blog.

Apple Properties is an estate agent and its website is http://www.appleproperties.net/ and clearly states it is running from the same address as Property Concepts UK - it has many properties on its website so it being a 'shell' company seems untrue. It is also being run by a previous Homes Direct member of staff - enough said really.

I also agree with Sid M comments regarding its staff yes it is wrong to abuse customers/clients/ex staff but they were only acting on Mr Russell's orders as it is very unlikely you would actually speak to the man himself as he hides behind his staff very well and lets them take the full brunt of any hassle which he and Mr Davidson has caused.

S
S
Sid M
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:44 am EDT

Hi Charlie,

I am unaware of any estate agency running out of Darrens office, I doubt the office staff are aware too as in the time i worked there I saw no evidence of such, I do however think there may have been one in his name before Property Concepts started up. But it may be that only the Managers where aware of this estate agents.

R
R
richard2
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:40 am EDT

If employees are not getting paid (and they were not) on a regular and consistent basis then they have every right to voice that, in whatever way they have to. If you and the others are so against darren, you wouldn't even sit in the same room as him let alone work for him. There are many reputable inventory companies and estate agents about and there is plenty of work. If you found out your boss was a murderer or a rapist would you continue to work for him - I doubt it. Well Mr Russell is no better in my eyes - ROBBING people of their livelihood DELIBERATELY and consistently with no care for there circumstance or situation.

R
R
richard2
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:27 am EDT

Charlie are you definitely confirming that Apple properties is run by Russell - do you know this for a fact? as Kristina seem sto claim that it is a shell company.

S
S
Sid M
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:27 am EDT

Hi Robert,

I remember the incedent with Karim and your Sister quite well, his was a reaction in anger to the abuse he was getting on the phone from your sister, when there was nothing he could do about her not being paid. I am not saying his response was the correct one and your sister giving the office staff abuse was not correct either, but we can not blame either your Sister or Karim or Kristina as the only person who holds power of payment in the office was Andrew/Darren. The incedent however did seem to wake up the whole office to what Andrew/Darren is capable of. But please dont put Kristina, Karim or any of the office staff into the same box as Darren as he is the one who is at fault.

P
P
P Curtis
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:16 am EDT

Thank you Sid M - well it looks like you have now confirmed why Mr Davidson does not do anything regarding the antics of Mr Russell - they are both as bad as each other.

They are the only 2 people that are responsible for all that has happened to previous staff and clients. I cannot believe why this company is still operational but then again I am sure Mr Russell has secured money probably from the estate agency that is running out of his office to let him carry on his expensive lifestyle.

To the remaining staff - what he and Mr Davidson doesn't pay you it pays for their lifestyle - you will be drip fed money to keep you happy as previously mentioned in this blog. I understand the company does cleaning where do you think the cash jobs go ?

To all of you leaving comments on this website please take the time to back it up by sending them to the newspapers / VAT / PAYE / Watchdog only to raise more awareness against people like this operating companies in this manner.

R
R
richard2
,
Sep 16, 2008 9:09 am EDT

As already stated I am myself aware of at least Karim telling a clerk who he obviously felt that he could take the piss out of that they were not going to get paid for several months work and for no legitimate reason whatsoever. This clerk has still not been paid, so again I state that whilst Darren is the main perpertrator there are others in the office (including Liz) that seem to be copying Mr Russells ways in full knowledge which in my eyes makes them just as much a ### as Mr Russell and Davidson. Who cares if Darren has taken a salary he made millions from his previous company STEALING other peoples money. As for Kristina I have spoken to her myself on numerous occassions and she is just as bad as the rest of them, a really horrible and evil person.

S
S
Sid M
,
Sep 16, 2008 8:54 am EDT

Also a thing I forgot to mention about Mr Russle, by word of mouth i was informed that he tells his office staff that he has not taken a salary since property concepts had started up, this is one of the many ways he keeps them subserivant to the company. I was also informed by another ex worker that most if not all of the office staff are leaving and most have already left.

S
S
Sid M
,
Sep 16, 2008 8:29 am EDT

I have worked for Mr Russle.

Here is one to raise your eyebrows, Mr Russle and Mr Davidson are having a personal relationship. Mr Davidson must know what is going on, they have been together for years.

I would not be to hasty in blaming any of his staff as although they know he is an ###, they do not know 100% of the story, he is a blagger and lies to them.

So there really is no need to be rude to Kristina or Karim or any of the others as they are all overworked and underpaid. but i can say for sure Liz the Office Manager (Who alot of you may have met)always get paid on time and with a very cushy salary to boot, lying to new recruits and knowing fully what Mr Russle has done. Shame on her

P
P
P Curtis
,
Sep 15, 2008 5:02 am EDT

Hi
I think we should get back on track with the real issue here - Mr Russell & Mr Davidson don't pay some of their staff as detailed in the start of this blog. Mr Russell should not be allowed to treat people the way he does and living off there hard work. He cheats on his staff, his clients and his partner, Mr Davidson, should do something about HIS company - we should all look at the constructive information that is detailed here.

If people do not get any joy going down the legal route with Mr Russell because he is hiding behind a false name you should address it direct to Mr Davidson at his address as detailed at Companies House.

I am sure Mr Russell and Mr Davidson enjoyed celebrating Mr Russell's birthday on all your money.

The more people focus on the real issues here and join together and go down the correct route hopefully something can be done ie send details to the press, local newspapers ie The Wharf as they are already familiar with Mr Russell's history.

R
R
rob
,
Sep 14, 2008 9:40 am EDT

kristina I actually recall an incident where Karim told an inventory clerk to f off because they were not going to get paid for no legitimate reason and you say not to lump everyone in the same box as andrew and co. So people on here do know what they are talking about, they are not just random comments so go away and get ###ed you silly ###.

J
J
jc
,
Sep 13, 2008 4:48 am EDT

Moo mo I do not presume anything I have been personally told that the office staff ARE paid on time I am not just hazarding a guess ok and I know from my own experience that that is the case.

J
J
jc
,
Sep 13, 2008 4:41 am EDT

Mo Moo/kristina maybe you should tone down your rhetoric a bit and actually read the comments that have been posted. I don't recall any comments that "lump all the office staff in with Andrew and co" no one has blamed the office staff for Mr Russells deceptions but to be frank you seem to know what goes on and you continue to work for him which in my book is just as bad, because if I knew that about him I would certainly have been looking for another job, not continue to see new people being taken on knowing that they would be defrauded at a later date - its dispecable. Irregardless of the current office staff what about all the innocent people from Mr Russells previous company Homes Direct that were ripped off - I guess that doesns't affect you directly right? so thats fine then.

M
M
Moo & moo
,
Sep 12, 2008 3:34 pm EDT

You don't know [censored] to be honest, and please don't presume to either. My apologies, but I just get wound up reading some of the comments on here.

Office staff aren't all paid on time - though admittedly some are. You can choose to believe me or not, I really don't care, but please don't state it on here like it's fact and you know it all especially when you clearly don't even know half of it.

I know a number of you know the office staff on a personal level, and know full well they're not [censored]. I've been on the other end of the, 'oh, it's been paid into the wrong account (again)...', just as I presume many of you have. So can I ask you not lump everyone into the same box. Andrew & Co., don't even go there...

Thank you

R
R
Richard2
,
Sep 12, 2008 9:57 am EDT

moo & moo we know that you still work for him who are you either kristina or karim?

R
R
Richard2
,
Sep 12, 2008 9:47 am EDT

well the in house staff get paid on time for a start so that is a fairly important distinction.

R
R
Richard2
,
Sep 12, 2008 9:45 am EDT

Can you elaborate concerning Apple Properties? I have tried calling their number but no one ever answers and it just swallows up your money. The office i sdefinitely at the same address as pcuk but he denies all knowledge about it, which is weird.

M
M
Moo & moo
,
Sep 12, 2008 9:03 am EDT

He's in his 40s I believe

I doubt anyone other than him (& this Mr. Davidson) knows half of what is happening - or can do anything about it other than quit. We all have bills and rent to pay. A fraud is a fraud, I'm sure he makes no distinction between his in- and out- house staff.

Apple properties is a wild goose chase.

Moo & moo

R
R
richard2
,
Sep 12, 2008 3:32 am EDT

I think he's 37 this year, but in any case he w ill be losing some money very soon!

P
P
P Curtis
,
Sep 12, 2008 2:39 am EDT

Happy 38th Birthday Mr Russell ! from all the people you have swindled and not paid and who have paid for your continued expensive lifestyle.

R
R
Richard2
,
Aug 29, 2008 1:33 am EDT

Yes - send it to him as many times as is possible until he responds. Trying to find out if this Apple Properties is connected to Mr Russell but so far companies house has not revealed a lot.

P
P
P Curtis
,
Aug 28, 2008 3:54 pm EDT

Unfortunately, no reply from Mr Davidson maybe if we send it to his actual work place Virgin Airways we can get a response - it is interesting that he allows his company to be run like this but its always the same the bad ones always gets away with it and the innocent ones are made to pay for their misgivings

D
D
Deano
,
Aug 20, 2008 1:26 am EDT

Good idea, but I have a horrible feeling that Mr Davidson is either very good friends with Mr Russell or has a vested interest in ignoring all of this. there is no way he can be totally unaware of Mr Russell's behaviour past and present.

P
P
P Curtis
,
Aug 19, 2008 9:28 am EDT

Hi Everyone - I've taken the liberty in printing all this thread and sent it to Mr Davidson for his comments

P
P
PremierHse
, GB
Aug 19, 2008 2:39 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi
Log onto companieshouse.gov.uk its a subscription service or goto a web search engine and put Directors report and click on one of them.

APPLE PROPERTIES GREENWICH LIMITED - Current but the Director of this company is not the person running it
APPLE PROPERTIES ESTATE AGENTS LIMITED - this company is in dissolution

http://www.appleproperties.net/

R
R
Richard
,
Aug 19, 2008 2:25 am EDT

Thanks richard, does it say who the directors etc are for apple properties and if not how do I obtain that info from companies house?

P
P
PremierHse
, GB
Aug 19, 2008 2:17 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

According to Companies House - its been around for a couple ofyears - hope Mr Davidson knows about his plans then because it will be him that is responsible for all the debts and CCJ's and NOT Mr Russell and yes he gets away scott free AGAIN - more lives ruined and he enjoys complete freedom to enjoy his entertaining life style.

But we all know a man like this will get away and around running an estate agency behind people and letting them take the flack

L
L
Lisa
,
Aug 19, 2008 1:50 am EDT

Looks like he may close pcuk and start afresh as apple properties, if he does he is at a bigger risk of breaching his previous oft warning

R
R
Richard
,
Aug 19, 2008 1:33 am EDT

richard, how long has apple properties been around do you know?

P
P
PremierHse
, GB
Aug 18, 2008 9:30 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Interesting that Apple Properties an Estate Agent is being run from Mr Russell's office - has Mr Russell returned to his old ways...

P
P
PremierHse
, GB
Aug 18, 2008 8:50 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

No connection again just a person who has been ruined by this man - I have forwarded all my notes to Watchdog and The Evening Standard.

Richard how are you getting on with the press ?

R
R
Richard
,
Aug 18, 2008 8:36 am EDT

Charlie what is your connection to mr Russell

P
P
PremierHse
, GB
Aug 18, 2008 7:48 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Looks like things are hotting up on this thread - maybe all the money is going towards his membership to the friends of Charlie - hopefully the press etc will take all of our grievances against the company seriously so something can be done.

B
B
24BridgeHouseQuay
, GB
Aug 18, 2008 3:43 am EDT

Hi Lisa
No I have not worked for him but I have been almost made bankrupt and lost my wife because of this man. I am simply trying to help people not make the same mistake in trusting this man.

Learn how the rating is calculated

Write a review File a complaint

Property Concepts UK contacts

Phone number
Category
Trending companies