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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Features
‘Auctions must be accurate on the internet’ says Ombudsman
Telephone bidding at auction may seem easier, but it brings extra responsibilities to both the buyer and the agent, says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
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Latest property news
Are Swansea and Dorset agents worst at displaying letting fees?
The Property Ombudsman Katrine Sporle has revealed that the enforcement letters sent to TPO member agents in Dorset and Swansea last week requiring them to prove they are clearly displaying fees details targeted these areas first because it had found that 50% of letting agents within them were not compliant. Her comments came during her speech at The Negotiator Conference in London earlier this week. The letter (see link below) strikes a new and relatively aggressive tone compared to previous efforts and is a taste of what’s to come for agents elsewhere in the UK. TPO says the campaign is national and that the letters are being rolled out region by region in a phased approach. The next roll-out is due to be revealed. In a nutshell, the letter requires TPO members to provide an image of their fees on display in the branch and a web link and image to demonstrate where their fees are displayed on their website. “Agents in Swansea and Dorset have until 21st November to provide evidence and any agent that fails to do so will be referred to Trading Standards,” a TPO spokesperson told The Negotiator. The campaign is being conducted in partnership with the…
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Features
The curious story of the dog and the licence…
In the curious story of the dog and the licence, the agent was the one in the doghouse, says Katrine Sporle, The Property Ombudsman.
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