The Guild of Property Professionals has stepped in to help its member agents impacted by the ongoing problems at outsourced property management firm ARPM.

As The Neg reported last week, agents have been contacted by worried landlords as September’s rent payment deadlines from ARPM have been missed.

Staff at the company have not been answering queries from agents or the media, including its MD, Simon Duce.
Paul Offley (pictured), the Guild’s Compliance Officer, says his organisation has been contacted by some of its Members who use ARPM to manage the lettings wing of their businesses.

“After being contacted by concerned Guild Members last week we have immediately sought to find a solution for their businesses and their clients.

“Our priority is to provide support and guidance in the actions they should be taking now in terms of their landlords and tenants. We are focusing on two areas, firstly, the ongoing action required from a compliance and regulation perspective and secondly, to find an alternative supplier known to The Guild.”

Priority

Offley says any Guild member who may wish to consider, given the uncertainty, moving lettings portfolios away from ARPM will be given priority with Complete RPI a “well-known supplier in this space”.

“This has not been an easy time for anyone, and the uncertainty only adds to the worry and concern for agents, landlords and tenants.”

Hamilton Fraser, whose deposit and client money protection schemes count ARPM as a client, has also released a statement saying it has initiated an investigation into the situation.

“Any landlord, tenant or agent who thinks they may be affected should contact mydeposits or Client Money Protect immediately,” a spokesperson says.