TPO and CTSI launch Phase 2 of letting fees display crackdown – in Berkshire

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)…

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