Agents remove ads after complaints filed to advertising watchdog

Two letting agencies have removed advertisements after complaints were filed to the Advertising Standards Authority.

The first case involved LSL Property Services brand Reeds Rains.

A complainant, who saw a property listing on Rightmove, challenged whether the ad was misleading because the rent advertised was not the standard rate per calendar month - the advertisement said that a discounted rate of 50 per cent was available if tenants moved in before Christmas had been used instead.

The advertiser acknowledged that the ad had appeared in error and it was removed after the ASA got in touch. 

The second case involved Mundys Property Services in Lincoln.

One online advertisement for the company featured the claim “100% TENANT SATISFACTION Let with confidence - 100% of our Tenants would be happy to let through Mundys again. (Based on move in questionnaire 2013 analysis). 

Another advertisement stated “1st tee sponsors: Mundys… A customer survey about our services produced a 100% satisfaction rating”.

A complainant - who understood that the survey dated from 2013 and was based on a move in questionnaire only, rather than the overall service - challenged whether the claims “100% Tenant Satisfaction” and “100% satisfaction rating” were misleading.

“We approached the advertiser who stated that they would remove the ads and would not use the claims again” says an ASA spokesman.