Agent Alert - City Trading Standards team begins clampdown

A council’s Trading Standards team is warning letting agents of a new clampdown on compliance failures.

Stoke-on-Trent Trading Standards says it’s received “a number of complaints about letting agents and landlords” reporting that standards are not being met. Issues include illegal charges, with agents “failing to protect deposits or ensure membership of the redress schemes.”

The council says it will now be providing advice and support to local agencies to “ensure they are aware of their duties and are fully compliant.”

Failure to comply with the law can result in fines of up to £30,000.

This is part of a compliance project running across the West Midlands.

Since April 2019 all letting agents and management firms that handle clients’ money must be part of a Government approved Protection scheme. Letting agents are also required to belong to an approved redress scheme.

This information, including the name of the scheme, logo and certificate number, should be published on their website and in their offices. 

They must also clearly display the name and logo of the CMP provider and a viewable certificate, and display landlord and tenant fees and charges.

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for housing and environment, says: “One of our key priorities as a city council is to make our towns and communities great places to live. 

“We want to be ‘Stronger Together Through Winter’ and this will help by improving housing conditions and the practices of letting agents who rent out properties in the city. 

“Although we know that most letting agents want to comply with the law, some are making illegal charges or not registering with the schemes. 

“We need to identify and tackle these rogue practices to protect our residents and legitimate businesses.”

Any letting agent, landlord or property management business based in Stoke-on-Trent can seek further advice from Trading Standards Team on 01782 236065 or by emailing public.protection@stoke.gov.uk.