Property Ombudsman expulsions

The Property Ombudsman expulsions continue as four agencies feel the wrath of the largest residential estate agency Ombudsman. Four separate estate and letting agents have been expelled from membership of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and from registration for lettings redress for two or more years, after failing to pay awards made by the Ombudsman or to comply with parts of the TPO Code of Practice for Residential Letting Agents. The expulsions follow complaints from landlords and tenants. In three cases, rent totalling over £9,000 had not been passed to the respective landlords. The complaints were upheld by the Ombudsman, who ordered payment of the money to those owed, together with compensation.  TPO members are required to comply with any award and/or direction given by the The Property Ombudsman and accepted by the complainants. To date, all four agents failed to make payments. Winchester Lettings Ltd, in south London, was referred to the scheme’s Disciplinary and Standard’s Committee (DSC) after failing to pay an award of £750 made to a landlord who complained about poor service.  This agent does not now appear to be trading. Miaisa Ltd trading as Gallery@HD1 in Huddersfield, was directed to pay £2,312 in rent due to a landlord…