Letting Agent Excluded from TPO for Four More Years
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has extended its exclusion of a letting agent by an additional four years, after seven more landlords raised disputes against the firm.
Premier Property Management (PPM), based in Truro, Cornwall, was originally expelled by the redress scheme in November last year, after it was discovered that the agency had failed to pass on rent payments and delayed handing over deposits to a landlord.
PPM was initially excluded from TPO for a period of two years, but the expulsion has now been extended following additional complaints by landlords, which resulted in awards totalling £20,566.23.
The punishment means that PPM can no longer trade legally, although it appears that the company is no longer trading and the website is no longer active.
The Chairman of TPO’s board, Gerry Fitzjohn, says: “While it is believed that the firm is no longer trading, we have taken action to ensure the firm’s expulsion is extended so they are unable to trade if they attempt to register with any redress scheme.
“We have also alerted the relevant authorities concerning their conduct. We urge consumers to always check their sales or letting agent is registered with TPO and following the scheme’s Codes of Practice, which offer additional safeguards to protect consumers from unfair practices.”
In coming to a judgement on each case, TPO considered the evidence presented by landlords, which included emails and bank statements, and the standards set out in TPO’s Code of Practice.
TPO, Katrine Sporle, also comments: “This agent’s behaviour fell well below the standards expected, and their systematic failure to pass on rental payments and deposits received has affected the lives of several landlords.
“Cases like these are fortunately extremely rare, but do highlight the importance of consumers keeping their own written records, so I can review emails, bank statements and correspondence as part of my investigation to determine if the agent has acted fairly.”
Landlords, remember to always check whether your letting agent is registered as part of an approved redress scheme, such as TPO.