42% rise in complaints to The Property Ombudsman

There has been a significant increase in complaints made to The Property Ombudsman (TPO), partly due to a growing trend in the consumer world to challenge when a product or service does not offer satisfaction, and partly due to a sharp rise in the number of agents signed up to the TPO. Six months on from the introduction of new legislation, making it a legal requirement for lettings agents and property managers in England to join a Government approved redress scheme, the report shows that the number of letting offices now signed up to TPO scheme has reached a record level of 12,915, up 28 per cent year-on-year. This brings the total number of sales and lettings offices offering TPO’s free, independent dispute resolution service to 26,735. Commenting on the report, Christopher Hamer (left), The Property Ombudsman, said, “In 2014 we saw continued and significant growth in the Private Rented Sector. With an estimated 1.6 million private landlords, many of whom have limited experience and understanding of their responsibilities, and large numbers of consumers seeking tenancies, the role of letting and managing agents in providing quality customer service based on a comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, is more important now…