‘Phoenixing’ agency expelled three times by TPO in just over a year

An estate agency has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme three times in little over a year.

Most recently, Cook Estates Sales and Lettings Ltd of Anerley, southeast London, has just been put on the TPO expulsion list for failing to follow directions.

Cook Estates was formerly known as George Proctor & Partners (Anerley), and was expelled twice; in both April and August last year. Director Graham Cook (pictured) had served notice and left the Proctors Group in March 2021.

The company become known as ‘Formerly P (A) Ltd’ a year ago before then reinventing as Cook Estates, and being wound up in July this year.

Poor works

Another firm, Cookestates Ltd of Welwyn Garden City has a disclaimer on its website saying: “We are in no way associated with Cook Estates Sales Ltd (company number 04908208) or Graham Cook of South Anerley. Please direct all complaints to either the TPO or Trading Standards.”

One of the expulsions as George Proctor & Partners (Anerley) related to a contractor who carried out poor works on the parquet floor at a property.

TPO found that the agent did not meet its obligations under Paragraph 14c of the codes – to be prudent in the selection of contractors to carry out work – as it could not provide evidence that it checked the contractor was suitably qualified to work on that type of flooring. An award of £400 compensation was made.

The Neg has approached TPO for comment.