Alex Neil haven't improved over the years. They dominate the rental and property management sectors on the Docklands estate where I've owned a flat for 10 years. In the early days, when all the other agents respected the Lease covenant that prevents agents' boards being erected on buildings, Alex Neil put their signs up regardless. Today, they still behave as if they own the joint: domineering, dismissive and rude unless they are trying to sell their services. Most recently, the washing machine in the flat above me - sublet and managed by AN - sprung a leak. Water seeped through onto my new oak kitchen for several months. During all of this AN and their equally incompetent handyman Octopus (spoken English not too hot, comprehension even worse) were insisting the washing machine was not leaking. This, despite my insurer sending a leak detection specialist round to look at the machine who then confirmed, in writing, to everyone that the machine was leaking. He inspected the machine twice and twice he said the machine was leaking. In the middle of all of this I was booked to go on holiday and the only way to prevent AN from allowing the washing to be used was to get a solicitor's letter off to them. Liz Man is Alex Neil's property manager who oversaw this debacle. When she got the solicitor's letter she changed from bossy boots to little girl lost. Don't trust her.