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Lettings agency probed after landlord complaints about incorrect invoices

Martin & Co branch in Scotland has been referred to Trading Standards and The Property Ombudsman by customer.

Nigel Lewis

martin co lettings agency

A lettings agency in Scotland has denied allegations made by ex-employees and landlords to a local newspaper that some of its customers have been overcharged for property management work.

The lettings agency involved is a franchised branch (pictured) of Martin & Co in Stirling, whose owners deny any wrongdoing.

Details of problems at the branch featured yesterday in the Sunday Mail, the sister paper of Scotland’s Daily Record, following complaints over incorrect invoices made by landlord Scott Buchanan.

He told the newspaper that he has been contacted by 15 other landlords in the area who claim they have been over-charged for electrical and safety work at properties.

Former employees of the business contacted by the Sunday Mail claim that maintenance companies were created which were used to bill landlords for work.

Invoices

The newspaper also says it has seen paperwork that shows real contractors were asked to re-submit invoices for higher amounts than originally billed for.

This paperwork and other evidence has been passed to local Trading Standards officers.

“I just want proof that my property has been properly looked after and that I’m not being charged some arbitrary amount,” says Buchannan.

“In the absence of answers from the branch and head office, I’ve passed the evidence I gathered to Trading Standards and the Property Ombudsman.”

Both the Ahmeds and Martin & Co head office have declined to comment further. Both are suing a former manager over a missing database of client details.

Read more about Martin & Co.

November 30, 2020

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