A former letting agent is in prison awaiting sentencing.
Ryan Lee, 24, who ran Panache Lettings in Cheltenham, has already had a six-month jail sentence imposed for breaching bail after he fled the country last year before facing court.
Lee, who is believed to have gone to Belgium, was arrested last month when he flew into Heathrow.
He has now appeared before crown court where he admitted 11 charges of engaging in unfair commercial practices, involving £13,500.
The case comes as the Government still argues that licensing letting agents, and setting minimum standards of entry, would amount to too much red tape.
More here:
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Comments
Ray Evans & Hawkeye: A bit unfair methinks.
You and I know the potential pitfalls of using a cheap agent. They're blindingly obvious to us because we're in the trade. However, Joe Public doesn't see what we see, nor does he have the inside knowledge we have, so he sometimes thinks "I'll use that chap over there. He's cheap and he seems to know what he's doing"
Have you guys NEVER done the same in other aspects of your life, or do you always, whenever you buy any product or service buy the best after thoroughly checking the supplier's credentials?
@RJ were they cheap by comparison with the competition? If the answer is yes then you have only yourself to blame. In this life you gets what you pays for.
If not then go for the jugular and look to sue the buggers there and back. A small claims action can cost a small amount to put in place and have a huge response.
I have had so many 'I want it done cheap landlords' over the years they sometimes but not often come back and say 'I wish I had used your firm.'
Ray, I don't feel that RN brought problems on himself, so many people use unlicensed agents as there is not enough publicity out there ... its about as dodgy as using unlicensed taxis, but people still use them.
RN I suggest that your agent is likely to have done the same thing to several clients and that you need to find a way to get your money before this gets too exposed, and you are then just one of many creditors chasing an absconded agent.
I suggest a last try telling him that unless he settles up now AND takes action (eviction ?) against the problem tenant you will go to Trading Standards. If he plays ball great, you can still go to TS later if you want. If he does not play ball than you must carry out your threat, but you may not get much money back.
Have you spoken to a solicitor yet? We think we know the answers, they DO know. Perhaps ask a licensed agent to recommend a solicitor to you.
"......The case comes as the Government still argues that licensing letting agents, and setting minimum standards of entry, would amount to too much red tape......"
Government licensing will never prevent this sort of thing!
Rajinder Nijjhar on 2013-02-14 11:00:50.
Much, much more detail required before any worthwhile comments or suggestions. Looks as if by using the type of non-affiliated agent you describe you brought most of your problems upon yourself.
Naming them on here will do exactly nothing even it LAT allowed you to do it, which they probably won't as they have no idea whether what you say is true.
Go to Trading Standards at your local Council if you believe this agent has done wrong; the Police won't be interested unless there has been criminal activity; this is more likely to be a civil matter
If all you say is true Rajinder then you will not be slandering him/her/them by naming them and saying where in the country you are, there are probably more tales to be heard of this agent so with your help something can be done. Breach of an agent's duty of care and breach of contract are civil matters, so you have to take that up with the civil courts. the police will take action if there is fraud involved.
Hi,
I have a letting agent who is not the member of any organisation and he is fleecing me. So, I gave him three months notice according to the agreement but he has not paid me rent for two months by putting me off that they have run time to make monthly payments and I missed the January one but he will send me the february payment with January. So, far he has not sent.
Also, he put a problem tenant into one of my properties without giving me all the information or he shoved the tenant in against my will.
What shall I do to report this crook Letting Agent? Trading standard has been suggested and please tell me if it is appropriate to report it to Police as well.