The Estate Agency Foundation, the industry’s own charity dedicated to helping charities for homeless people, has decided to stop handing out sums of money to Shelter.
Last year, it gave £20,000 to the charity which has successfully fought to make lettings’ agents’ charges to tenants illegal in Scotland and has now brought its fight to England.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the EAF said: “EAF directors Michael Stoop, Lucy Morton, David Newnes and chairman Bill McClintock have met with directors of Shelter and other key industry personnel to express concern over Shelter’s position with regard to lettings agents charging appropriate fees to tenants.
“The EAF have made no commitment to make further donations to Shelter but we will work together to try and find a resolution.”
Among those who have raised money for Shelter are Zoopla, which has announced that it too will make no further donations to the organisation. Instead, it will be supporting the Prince’s Trust this year.
Zoopla last year also notably backed the cycle ride, led by Jon Cooke and Sean Newman, which raised money for the EAF, including Shelter.
Other agency groups that have worked hard to raise money for the EAF last year, specifically citing Shelter as a beneficiary, included Andrews and the Guild of Professional Agents.
Last year, Fine & Country agents raised over £75,000 for the EAF. Andrews handed over £15,734, with most of the money raised through branch events in December.
Although the EAF still has Shelter on its website as a beneficiary, it also names a number of other homeless charities that receive funds, including those with little or no political lobbying presence, such as St Mungo’s.
Yesterday, Shelter was due to give evidence to a committee of MPs inquiring into the private rented sector.
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Comments
Hahaha Shelter, serves you right for your constant criticising of agents and your bias views.
After receiving an email from Shelter telling me how they were representing tenants in a government Select Committee hearing, it seems they really are over-funded.
This was my response:
http://rayhano.com/post/41878222499/a-letter-to-shelters-kay-boycott
Shelter's income is £50 million per year and they have retained reserves of £20 million per year.
Whilst people such as Zoopla and The Estate Agency may decide to stop funding them due to their aggressive and misguided attack on the private rental sector the fact is this makes very little difference to Shelter.
£50 million is a huge budget for an organisation whose sole remit is to influence government policy.
"Campaign of abuse” just about sums up Shelters stance. If they have a problem with charges they should quote the actual figures and the names of the agents.
Talk about biting the hand that helps feed them. Stop all gifts to them - now - until they stop the way they are conducting their campaign and quote what service THEY think should be provided and at what charges. Would make very interesting reading.
Well finally some good news! Shelters attack on Estate Agents is unforgiveable and unfair! Whilst we do need to tidy up our act (more transparency) and weed out the bad Agents. We did not deserve this campaign of abuse and they are now reaping what they sow! What this has to do with Homelessness is beyond me! It will now be my mission to ensure that no one gives any more to Shelter!
With most letting agents in Glasgow still charging fee 90% of them, do Shelter really think this will work in England too ??