A case that the Property Ombudsman was asked to review came from buyers concerning their ‘PRC’ property. They had purchased in 2011 and were now encountering difficulties trying to sell. This complaint fell within the Ombudsman’s Terms of Reference, the buyers having made a complaint within 12 months of becoming aware of the issues.
A case that The Property Ombudsman was asked to review came from a landlord concerning the agent’s failure to charge market value rent or raise rent annually.
The Ombudsman was asked to decide on a dual fee dispute, with two agents pursuing the seller for commission fees, both claiming introduction of the buyers. The seller believed that the agents should have been able to decide this between them once it had come to light.
A case that The Property Ombudsman was asked to review came from tenants concerning their tenancy as well as the handling of their complaint by the agent.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has today released its 2017 annual report.
The issue of housing and homes is highly emotive and when something goes wrong people feel strongly that issues should be resolved fairly, appropriately and quickly. The role that agents play as part of that process is important and how agents handle complaints is under the spotlight. MHCLG has asked what can be done to improve in-house complaint handling?
Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman comments on the MHCLG announcement that it will professionalise the estate agent market: “We welcome the news the Government is introducing measures to professionalise the estate agent market. Requiring agents to hold a professional qualification and be transparent about any referral fees they receive should go a long way to raise standards in the industry and stamp out poor practice.
RIGHTMOVE WEBINAR: 11th APRIL 2:30pm-3.15pm
Agents and property professionals have been signing up for their tickets to this year’s TPO Conference ‘Raising Standards’ on Wednesday 13th June, to be held at the National Conference Centre in Solihull, where Mark Prisk, former Housing Minister and local government minister, will be a guest speaker.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has today launched a new online training module exclusively for TPO members.
Buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords in and around Canary Wharf are being warned that a local agent has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme following a consumer dispute.
Wilkins Residential, a sales and lettings agent in Hove, has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme for one year and six months after the Ombudsman supported a complaint relating to non-payment of rent on three properties to landlords whose properties they managed.
Seekers Estate Agents, a sales and lettings agent based in Erdington, Birmingham, has had its expulsion
from membership of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme extended from two to three years, after a further consumer complaint was brought against the agent.
A sales and lettings agent in Hounslow has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme for three years and six months after the Ombudsman supported three separate complaints relating to a series of failings, but predominantly for non-payment of rent to landlords whose properties they managed.
A sales and lettings agent in Luton has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme for ten years after the Ombudsman supported a complaint relating to non-payment of rent received on 31 properties.
Seekers Estate Agents, a sales and lettings agent based in Erdington, Birmingham, has failed to pay awards totalling £4,137 following two separate complaints relating to a series of failings in their letting and management service. As a result, the agent has been expelled from membership and registration for redress with The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme for a minimum of two years.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme has responded to the APPGEBE's call for evidence for its New Homes Ombudsman Inquiry. TPO's response can be viewed here.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme has responded to the Government's call for evidence into ‘Improving the Home Buying and Selling Process’. TPO’s response can be viewed here
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme has responded to the Government's consultation paper ‘Mandatory Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents’. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) launched the consultation in November to seek views on how client money protection schemes should be implemented across letting agents. TPO’s response can be viewed here
Protecting consumers in the lettings and managing agent market.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme has responded to the Government's call for evidence paper 'Protecting consumers in the letting and managing agent market’. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) launched a call for evidence in October to seek views on the potential regulation of letting and managing agents. TPO’s response can be viewed here
