gerry fitzjohn
-
Latest property news
TPO expels three agents for non-payment of awards to landlords
Agents in Slough, Leicester and Wales are kicked off the scheme and are no longer able to trade without redress, although two appear to have 'phoenixed' under new names.
Read More » -
Latest property news
Six agencies expelled from The Property Ombudsman
Gerry Fitzjohn, TPO Chairman, warns that expelled agents can be banned from carrying out agency business.
Read More » -
Latest property news
7 agents expelled by ombudsman over unpaid fines of £112,257
Seven estate and letting agents have been expelled from membership of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) after failing to comply with parts of the TPO Codes of Practice.
Read More » -
Latest property news
Watch out estate agents, there’s a Chinese email hacker about
An email hacker in China appears to be targeting UK agents in a bid to spread a computer virus via emails sent from bogus ‘buyers’ pretending to be interested in properties for sale, it has been reported. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is warning all estate and letting agents to be vigilant after a TPO member was targeted by the individual. The agency, which has not been named, was contacted by a Chinese buyer who expressed keen interest in a property for sale. But when the agent became suspicious about the buyer’s wish to purchase the property quickly and without seeing it, he challenged the individual to supply identification documents before the purchase could proceed any further. He agent told TPO that documents sent over by the Chinese individual were difficult to open and, after passing them to their IT department, it was confirmed the documents contained malware including a series of “potentially destructive viruses”, TPO says. “Fortunately in this case, the scam was identified and no company or customer details were compromised.,” says Gerry Fitzjohn, Board Chairman for TPO commented. “However, this is a reminder to all agents to be both cautious and vigilant. The importance of antivirus software is…
Read More » -
Associations & Bodies
All change at The Property Ombudsman Scheme
After 13 years with The Property Ombudsman (TPO) – 12 as TPO Board Chairman of TPO, Bill McClintock stands down on 1st January 2016 and Gerry Fitzjohn, currently Vice Chairman, takes up the position. At a reception at the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Richard Best, guests, including The Negotiator’s Editorial Director, Sheila Manchester, celebrated Bill’s achievements of and those of Christopher Hamer, The Property Ombudsman, who is also retiring, having served the maximum nine-year term as Ombudsman. With 50 years experience in estate agency, Bill joined TPO as Chief Operating Officer in 2003, becoming Board Chairman in 2004. Bill (left) said, “When I joined, there were 769 firms with 4,251 offices registered with TPO. Figures now sit at 14,400 sales and 13,500 lettings offices – a significant change. One of my main achievements was encouraging the government to enact the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007, which required all estate agents to register with an Ombudsman Scheme and to get the TPO Scheme approved by the Office of Fair Trading, considerable developments in the industry.” Gerry joined the TPO Board in 2000, from starting as a Sales Negotiator for Taylors in Stony Stratford in 1974 to National…
Read More » -
Associations & Bodies
Gerry Fitzjohn to Chair the TPO
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has announced that Gerry Fitzjohn, the Vice Chairman of the Board, will replace Chairman of TPO, Bill McClintock, on 1st January 2016. McClintock, who has more than 50 years’ experience in estate agency, joined TPO as Chief Operating Officer in January 2003, has held the position of Chairman since January 2014. He will now continue as a Director of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents and Fine & Country, as well as continuing with interests outside work including his role as Church Warden at St John’s, Lockerley, which he has now carried out for 24 years. During his time at the helm, the volume of offices registered with TPO has increased from 769 firms with 4,251 offices registered with the property watchdog to around 14,400 sales offices and 13,500 lettings offices. McClintock (left) commented, “I have really enjoyed my time with TPO and shall miss meeting so many connected to the industry. I hope to have made a difference in some way, but now I’m looking forward to taking some time out. I would like to wish my successor and friend Gerry Fitzjohn every success going forward.” Fitzjohn, who began serving on the TPO Board in…
Read More » -
Features
Home sale free-for-all!
Changes to the rules on selling homes could mean that buyers have little protection when using online intermediaries.
Read More »
