Rogue letting agencies kicked out of The Property Ombudsman scheme
The Property Ombudsman has expelled three letting agents and one Residential Leasehold Management (RLM) company for failing to pay compensation. Here’s a summary:
- Linda Matthews Lettings (Chatham, Kent): Failed to pay £1,000 compensation for poor communication and rent payment issues, causing landlord distress. Five cases of non-payment reported. Still appears to be trading.
- White Tiger Estates (Coventry): Breached best practices (e.g., delayed rent transfers and deposit returns). Ordered to pay £500 to a landlord but failed to comply.
- Saint Property Services (Nottingham): Failed to meet legal standards in electrical works and property visits. Ordered to pay £200 but did not comply. Two additional non-payment cases exist.
- Balinor Group Holdings (BGH) (Hertfordshire): Failed to secure a deed of variation for a leaseholder, which led to a failed property sale. Ordered to pay £500 but did not comply.
Lesley Horton, Interim Property Ombudsman, emphasized that expulsion is rare but necessary when compensation awards are not fulfilled. Relevant authorities and property portals have been notified.
