John D Wood & Co.

John D Wood & Co., estate agency in London and the South of England

John D Wood & Co. is a British estate agency operating in the residential sector in London and the South of England. The firm presents itself as a company with 150 years of activity and traces its origins to 1872, when John Daniel Wood founded the company in London at the age of 23. Its first office was in Mount Street, Mayfair, opposite the Connaught Hotel.

The company describes its activity as a personalised, bespoke service aimed at bringing people and properties together. It notes that more than half of its business comes through referral and recommendation, and that its team knows the property market in its area of operation.

Residential sales and lettings

The agency covers both the sale and rental of properties. In sales, it markets houses, flats, new build developments and country houses. In lettings, it offers houses and flats, and includes the zero deposit rental option.

Its services for landlords include property valuation, lettings management and advice on property licensing. The company also has a short lets service, designed for flexible stays with the comforts of a home.

Areas of operation

The firm concentrates its activity in London and the South of England. In the capital, the sales areas it mentions include Chelsea, Battersea, South Kensington, Earl's Court and Fulham. In lettings, it adds Primrose Hill and Knightsbridge. Outside London, it cites Weybridge, Beckenham, Lymington and New Forest, and extends its new homes offering to London, Surrey and the countryside.

Complementary services

In addition to estate agency, John D Wood & Co. offers a range of associated services:

• Professional valuations with RICS reports, advice on lease extensions and freehold acquisition.
• Corporate & Relocation Services department, which manages the relocation of employees of large international companies.
• Interior Consultants department, with advice on property presentation and support with removals.
• Mortgages and financial protection.
• Conveyancing, with a network of solicitors selected by the firm.
• Land & New Homes, focused on land and new build developments.
• Surveying (technical inspections).
• Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).
• Insurance.

International department

The agency has an international department that markets properties abroad, with particular focus on Europe, the Caribbean and the United States.

Publications and outreach

The company maintains an editorial space, Our Journal, dedicated to news and opinions on the UK and international property market, with guides and tips from its specialists. It also publishes John D Wood & Co. Magazine, a magazine that combines lifestyle editorial features with properties in its portfolio and ideas for buying overseas through its international department.

On regulatory matters, the firm provides information on the anti-money laundering requirements arising from the UK regulations of 2017 and on the Renters' Rights Act, which it describes as one of the biggest reforms of private renting in decades and whose provisions are not yet fully in force.

Structure and regulation

The sales activity operates under the company name Countrywide Estate Agents Limited, registered in England with number 00789476 and registered office at Witan Gate House, 500–600 Witan Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 1GF. The lettings activity corresponds to Countrywide Residential Lettings Limited, registered in England with number 02995024 and the same registered office. The latter is a member of the ARLA Propertymark Client Money Protection Scheme. Countrywide Estate Agents Limited acts as appointed representative of Connells Group Principal Services Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with FRN 301684.