The Property Ombudsman
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Latest property news
“Switching utility providers without the tenant’s agreement can trigger a major storm”, says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
Switching utility providers without the tenant’s agreement can trigger a major storm, says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
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Latest property news
TPO report reveals one agent’s £21,972 referencing mistake
The value of awards that The Property Ombudsman (TPO) told agents to pay disgruntled customers tripped over £1 million for the first time last year, its annual report reveals, along with details of one case that cost a letting agent over £20,000. Property Ombudsman Katrine Sporle (pictured, right) is to launch the report at an event later today at the House of Lords that will show total awards reaching £1.2 million in 2016 while the number of difficult cases increased by 7.5% to 3,553. Common complaints Lettings attracted the largest number of resolved cases at 1,997 with those complaining being fairly evening split between landlords and tenants. The average letting award was £531 but the highest was £21,972 (see case details below). The most common complaint was about property management. In sales, two thirds of complaints came from sellers and the remainder from buyers and the average award was £397, while the most common complaint was about communication and record keeping. “TPO works with the industry and consumers to get things right, put things right and set things right,” says Katrine. “This year, TPO’s Codes of Practice, approved by Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), have been revised to clarify many…
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Features
Industrial noise in a quiet location
"Viewing a property is one thing, noting noise levels is another,” says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
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Features
The role of the agent
"Home sweet home… but not with noisy neighbours,” says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
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Latest property news
TPO reveals its work with Law Commission into retirement leasehold fees
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has revealed how it has been working with the Law Commission to produce a report that heavily criticises retirement property landlords for charging hidden leasehold fees when properties are sold or sub-let. The fees involved as called ‘event fees’ and over costs “buried deep” in leaseholds and then charged when there is a Transfer of Title or Change of Occupancy – and even when a spouse or carer moves into a property. Agents are also highlighted in the investigation, which has been conducted over two years and shines a light on how many retirement properties are sold. It has now been presented to parliament and the Law Commission says it is now awaiting a response from the government. Landlords criticised TPO backs the Law Commission’s stance that the fees help offset the often substantial cost of the extra on-site healthcare services many retirement home developments offer, but criticises many landlords – and agents – for not highlighting the fees at the point of sale. “Owners are not always being told about the charges, which can be up to 30% of the property price,” the Law Commission says. “Others may be hit by huge bills for changes…
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Features
Check before you click
"An Englishman’s home is his castle… don’t go taking liberties with your marketing…” says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
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Features
Tenants with lifestyle flaws
Unfortunately, being in the oldest profession in the world does not make a model tenant… says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
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Features
In The Red
When a tenant doesn’t pay the rent, is it really the letting agent’s fault? Not necessarily, says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
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Latest property news
Property Ombudsman launches new portal for agents to monitor complaints
Salisbury-based The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has promoted its Casework Director Jane Erskine to the role of Deputy Ombudsman and launched a new online portal to enable agents and consumers to review cases as they proceed. Jane’s promotion is part of a reorganisation at TPO that Katrine Sporle, the Property Ombudsman, says are part of efforts to provide a “streamlined service that puts the consumer at the heart of the process”. Durham University education Jane (pictured, left) joined TPO as a case officer in 2007 after a nine-year stint working in private practice specialising in wills, conveyancing and probate, and has risen through the TPO ranks. In 2010 she was promoted to Senior Case Officer at the property dispute resolution organisation before rising to Casework Director two years later. She is a regular fixture on the property speaking circuit including at several regional NAEA conferences and masterclasses. Key to the TPO’s reorganisation is a new online portal that Katrine says will “transform the way the scheme reviews complaints by allowing agents and consumers to review live case updates, with additional functions for agents who will soon be able to renew their membership and update their contact systems at the click of a…
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Features
Liability for search results
What if a search fails to mention land earmarked for a new town, asks Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman?
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