A Trading Standards team is to carry out what it calls “unannounced inspections” of lettings agencies in one part of London - but the local council has issued a press release ahead of the visits.
The Labour council in Newham, east London, says its housing officers together with Trading Standards representatives “will carry out unannounced inspections of letting agents and property management agents in the borough beginning this week.”
The statement says the officers will inspect offices and websites to ensure that agents complying with their duties to customers, specifically relating to the display of all fees and charges, membership of a government-approved client money protection scheme, membership of a redress scheme, “as well as other responsibilities under the Consumer Rights Act.”
Rokshana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham, says: “My message to any renters facing rent rises or possible evictions is that we are on your side. We are absolutely committed to supporting renters in Newham by helping you to understand your rights and protections.
“These inspections will ensure a level playing field for responsible agents while shining a light on unfair and potentially criminal practices by a dangerous minority.
“Newham renters can be reassured that we will not hesitate to impose fines or prosecute any agents that we find to be taking advantage of renters.”
Agents who are not members of tappropriate redress or money protections schemes face a fine of up to £30,000 and - according to the council statement ”they could also face removal or variation to their property licence.”
Newham council claims that 84 per cent of renters in the borough have encountered problems with tenancies, but that 70 per cent “have not reached out to the council or others for support.”
%20-%20IMAGE%20Client%20Accounting%20%E2%80%93%20what%20are%20your%20options.jpg)
%20(002).png)
.png)
.png)
%20(002).jpg)
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
Next week Newham Council asks agents and landlords to help house their homeless.
A few more LAs visiting local letting agents might just find one or two matters worth pursuing.
Just one more thing. Notice what's wrong with the picture at the top of the page? All three boards have illegal signage! Just saying.
What about supporting landlord who’s tenants are in rent arrears? My sister will get her property back on 20/01/2022 via bailiff eviction. She has lost around £50,000 income whilst still paying for a mortgage. Who will pay this? Tenants? Council or government?
Hear hear.
clampdown, compliance, fines, clampdown, compliance, fines, more and more money for government more and more and more, clampdown, compliance, fines.
Why, after 3 years as a stressed out landlord with tenants who refused to pay any rent with the council sitting on its hands doing nothing to help the situation I concluded that any business where government is involved is absolutely going to fail. Councils are packed with common purpose communists that cannot understand English or the problems their one sided biased rules create. the words 'not fit for purpose' come nowhere near close to describing the distress they cause to landlords who become so to help people who need housing. Councils and government greed wreck everything they touch
Please login to comment