Agents in Reading, Basingstoke and surrounding areas are warned. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) have today launched Phase 2 of its crack down on agents not properly displaying their letting fees.

The launch follows a five-month effort by the two organisations in both Swansea and Dorset, during which 266 agents were contacted and asked to provide photographic evidence to demonstrate their compliance with the law on letting fees.

Agents are required to display fees clearly both in their branch and on their website.

Non-compliant

Any agents that TPO and CTSI found not to compliant were then given the chance to amend and re-submit.

Out of the Phase 1 agents, just two have failed to comply either by not replying or addressing problems with their compliance and will now be referred to TPO’s Disciplinary and Standards Committee for investigation and review.

“We are unable to name the firms concerned at this stage – a statement will be made if any agents are expelled from the scheme, as per the normal process,” a spokesperson told The Negotiator.

“99% of TPO letting agents in Swansea and Dorset are now displaying their fees correctly.”

Adrian Simpson (pictured, left) from the CTSI says, “We are extremely pleased by the response to the campaign. It clearly demonstrates that TPO agents are aware of their responsibilities, willing to make improvements where necessary and committed to the highest levels of consumer protection.”

Some 179 TPO member agents in and around Reading and Basingstoke are now due to be contacted and under the same process as their Dorset and Swansea counterparts.

“TPO has seen an increase in the number of enquiries about fees from tenants in recent weeks,” says Property Ombdusman Katrine Sporle (pictured, right)

“It is essential that agents provide clarity and transparency about what fees are being charged for what service so that all parties understand the commitments they are entering into.”