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Letting Agents in Essex Fined Over £14,000 for Failing to Display Fees
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
Several letting agents in one borough of Essex have been fined over £14,000 for failing to display fees.
Letting Agents in Essex Fined Over £14,000 for Failing to Display Fees
Thurrock Council embarked on a crackdown to expose letting agents that do not comply with the law to display fees. It says the money raised by the fines will be used for further enforcement.
Following the launch of its crackdown last summer, the council visited 33 agencies and subsequently issued 13 with a notice of intent.
It has now issued fines totalling £14,100 to agents failing to comply with consumer rights laws that require agents to display fees, the redress scheme they belong to and whether they offer Client Money Protection.
One estate agent, Edward Clark Estates, appealed the penalty charge of £3,250 on the grounds that a member of staff was on holiday at the time the advice letter was sent and the amount of the penalty was unreasonable.
However, the court responsible for the case – the General Regulatory Chamber – dismissed these arguments and ruled in favour of Thurrock Council.
Councillor Rob Gledhill, Leader of the council and Portfolio Holder for Housing, says: “It is right that the council is taking action on those letting agents who flout the law and are not supplying the residents of Thurrock a high level of service.
“The legislation was passed in 2015, so there is no excuse for not meeting the requirements. Even after our officers visited these agents, some decided not to take the action needed.
“Well, now they face the consequences. The rental market in Thurrock is a very lucrative one, so I want to make sure letting agents are doing their part. The £14,100 raised in fines will be used to fund further enforcement activity by our Trading Standards team to help protect Thurrock residents.”
If you use a letting agent to manage your property portfolio, be sure that it complies with the rules to display fees before entrusting your assets with it.
