Property Ombudsman expels three agents

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is on track to expel more members this year than in 2016 after three agents were expelled in one go yesterday. Last year TPO kicked out nine agents but six have already been expelled this year following the latest expulsions, with just six months of the year gone. The three agents are Shields & Co in Nottingham, LPC Lettings Ltd in Liverpool and Blackhorse Property Management Ltd in Bradford (all pictured). Two were expelled after failing to pay awards totalling £11,000 to landlords following complaints to the ombudsman that were subsequently upheld. TPO members are required to comply with any award or direction given by the Ombudsman and accepted by the complainants. “It is important to point out that cases like these are extremely rare and concern the actions of a small minority of agents,” says TPO Chairman Jerry Fitzjohn. “Taking into account the vast number of sales and lettings transactions that take place every year, only a small percentage of consumers contact TPO to complain about their agent, and our recent Annual Report reveals an even smaller number are referred to our Disciplinary & Standards Committee.” Shields & Co had failed to pay a landlord…

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