This case concerns the complaint by the sellers that the agent had charged them additional VAT on the commission fee, whereas they had understood that the fee was inclusive of VAT.

Whose responsibility is it anyway? This case summary looks at a tenure dispute - find out more about the complaint and the Ombudsman’s ruling after the agent claimed long leaseholds amounted to ‘the same thing’ as freehold.

TPO Codes in action! Find out how The Property Ombudsman's CCAS-approved Codes are used to review every complaint and go above and beyond the law to protect consumers from unfair practices...

But what if a search fails to mention land earmarked for a new town, asks Katrine Sporle, Property Ombudsman?

Telephone bidding at auction may seem easier, but it brings extra responsibilities to both the buyer and the agent, says Katrine Sporle, Property Ombudsman?

In the curious story of the dog and the licence, the agent as the one in the doghouse, says Katrine Sporle, Property Ombudsman.

TPO’s work with other trade bodies and Compliance Boards adds to the scheme’s unrivalled knowledge of all sectors of the property industry. This case concerns the actions of a search provider after a buyer alleged it had failed to disclose a planning application for a new town in the vicinity of the property she had purchased.

This buyer thought he had bought a two bed property at an auction, only to discover the house had just one bedroom. The Ombudsman’s role in this case was to unravel the events that proceeded the auction, and the actions of the agent on the day itself before the gavel fell.

The tenants who made this complaint claimed the agent only disclosed all their fees and charges after they had paid a non refundable holding deposit. The Ombudsman’s independent review of the case looked at what information was disclosed and when, to assess if the tenants were treated fairly.

The complainants in this case accused their agent of misrepresenting a property and misleading them into signing a Tenancy Agreement by advertising that the property had parking.

This landlord claimed their agent was negligent and in breach of contract for its failure to adequately reference two tenants who went on to accrue significant arrears, resulting in a court possession order. The agent, who used a recognised third party referencing company, disputed the claims and the landlord lodged a complaint with TPO seeking nearly £20,000 for rent arrears together with compensation for emotional trauma and distress.

This case concerns potential buyers who claimed the agent failed to disclose material information about a planning application for the development of 850 houses opposite a property they wanted to purchase.

Do you know the difference between a sole agency & sole selling rights agreement? This case involves a family executing a sale on behalf of a deceased relative and the importance of understanding your agency agreement.

The Property Ombudsman is helping to raise standards in the property industry, says Katrine Sporle, Property Ombudsman.

Access to properties can cause serious issues if the right of way is not documented, says Katrine Sporle, Property Ombudsman.

If an agent intends to charge a 'performance fee' it must be clear before he goes on stage, says Katrine Sporle, Property Ombudsman.

The Property Ombudsman, Katrine Sporle, highlights a case study dealing with property marketing...

The new Property Ombudsman, Katrine Sporle CBE, highlights a case study dealing with the internal measurements of a property...

The new Property Ombudsman, Katrine Sporle CBE, wants consumers and agents to be clear about her role...

Complaint

In this case, the potential Buyer argued that the Buying Agent she had instructed, charged her an excessive abortive fee when she withdrew an offer that she had made for a property on the same day it had been made and accepted by the Seller. The Agent maintained their entitlement to charge the fee, given that it was detailed in the terms and conditions of their agreement.