A rogue letting agency in London has been fined £12,630 after making false claims about its membership of Safeagent and one other scheme.

Independent one-branch estate agency Matthew Estates based in Haringey received the fine from magistrates after being found guilty of five offences.

These took place when its branch was visited by Trading Standards officers from the London Borough of Haringey, who challenged staff about its claimed membership of Safeagent and the CTSI Trading Standards Approved Code scheme.

Staff from Matthew Estates then sent the officers an email claiming membership of Safeagent.

But checks showed that the company’s claims were false and officers subsequently removed signage from its branch and ordered that logos were removed from its website, both of which claimed Safeagent accreditation.

During sentencing, the magistrate said Matthews Estates, which specialises in lettings within London’s more upmarket central locations, had gained a ‘considerable commercial advantage from the Certified Standards promoted via [Safeagent] which gave a legitimacy the defendants did not have’.

“We welcome the proactivity of Haringey Trading Standards in bringing this case to court,” says Isobel Thomson, CEO of Safeagent (left).

“Cases like this are crucial to root out firms who put consumers at risk by passing themselves off as professional agents. We hope that more Local Authorities follow Haringey’s lead.

“Safeagent works with Trading Standards teams across the country, highlighting criminal activity and supporting them in prosecutions.

“Through this partnership we help to ensure a better, safer private rented sector for all.”
Matthew Estates was incorporated in 2015 and has one director, 38-year-old French national Ramanesh Thiyagarasa.

Visit the safeagent site.

Read more about Trading Standards cases.