Posts with tag: landlords in Cambridge

Arrest Following Letting Agency Closure

Published On: August 11, 2015 at 1:59 pm

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud following the closure of a letting agency in Cambridgeshire.

Arrest Following Letting Agency Closure

Arrest Following Letting Agency Closure

The 48-year-old from the St Neots area has been released on bail after his arrest.

Last month, Kirby Property Management in Camborne suddenly closed. The firm also has offices in St Neots and Cambridge.

A spokesperson from Cambridgeshire police states: “We received an Action Fraud referral on behalf of the National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) and are investigating allegations of fraud in relation to a business in Barker Close, Hail Weston, St Neots, between January last year and the beginning of July this year.

“A 48-year-old man from the St Neots area has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and has been bailed to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough on October 13th.

“As an investigation is under way, we are not in a position to go into any further detail.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact the Huntingdonshire CID team via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”1 

A NALS spokesperson comments: “We are aware of the sudden closure of Kirby Property Management who were previously part of the NALS.

“We would advise any landlords or tenants who have any concerns to speak with Cambridgeshire police in the first instance.

“Landlords may also wish to register their interest with NALS who operate a Client Money Protection scheme and may, in certain circumstances, be able to assist.”1 

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) has confirmed that it has suspended the firm from membership and urged tenants to make contact if they have deposits protected.

1 http://www.propertyindustryeye.com/man-arrested-following-closure-of-cambridgeshire-letting-agency/

Council Investigates Over 200 Complaints into Lettings Sector

Published On: July 23, 2015 at 1:00 pm

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Council Investigates Over 200 Complaints into Lettings Sector

Council Investigates Over 200 Complaints into Lettings Sector

Cambridge City Council has launched investigations into over 200 complaints about letting agents and landlords in the last 12 months.

Cambridge has one of the country’s largest private rental sectors.

The investigations range from illegal evictions to harassment, and from poor management practice to properties falling into disrepair.

Of the 204 complaints, 21 cases involved formal notices served under the Housing Act. Complaints regarding five properties resulted in prosecutions, with fines and costs totalling over £43,000.

One prosecution resulted in a landlord being considered no longer fit and proper to hold a license or be involved in the management of higher risk Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Over the past year, the Council has licensed 51 HMOs to ensure that they meet the minimum standard required. It is also updating the property accreditation scheme, which provides tenants with the guarantee that the property has been inspected and deemed safe, and the landlord is a fit and proper person.

The Council has also developed a training scheme to help landlords meet their duties and responsibilities, improve the private rental sector and encourage self-management.