The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has awarded a landlord £900 compensation over a dispute with an agent who he shared a rent guarantee arrangement with.

Wilson Chowdhry claimed Maya Residential London Limited, also known as Anistenhomes, trading as Anisten Homes, failed to pay the rent to him on time and to ensure the properties were vacated.

The arrangement differed to a typical full managed service as the landlord let the properties to the agency, which in turn let them to sub-tenants.

Anistenhomes set the rent level payable by the sub-tenants, and agreed to pay a lower regular rent to Chowdhry even if no money was received from the sub-tenants.

Chowdhry was responsible for ensuring that the four properties in Ilford, Essex, were safe and in good condition, but he had no direct contract with the sub-tenants.

As well as complaining about late and missing payments, Chowdhry said the Ilford office of Anistenhomes also failed to co-operate fully when repairs were needed.

Aggravation

TPO adjudicator Lucy Buckle, who found there were some failings by Anistenhomes, says: “It is my view that the shortcomings I have identified have caused the complainant avoidable aggravation and inconvenience, and therefore that an award of compensation is merited.

“I have also taken into account that while Anistenhomes did not act in accordance with best practice after the complainant sought to give notice to terminate the rent guarantee agreements, his instructions were at times unclear as he was considering renegotiating an agreement with the agent.

She says it is her understanding that Chowdhry had now received all the rent owed to him.

“Accordingly, I propose an award of £900 compensation to reflect the aggravation and inconvenience caused by the shortcomings identified in Anistenhomes’ service.”

Read more news about rent guarantees.