Letting agent fined nearly £1,000 for not being part of scheme
A LETTING agent in Charnwood has been fined almost £1,000 for not being signed up to a legally required redress scheme to resolve disputes with tenants.
All residential lettings agents and property managers are required by law to join one of two Governmentapproved redress schemes which help resolve disputes between tenants and landlords.
Charnwood Borough Council became aware in November last year that a residential letting agent and property manager operating in the borough was not registered with a redress scheme provider.
The company had failed to pay its membership renewal fees of £132 and had allowed its membership to lapse in September 2020.
After being contacted by the borough council, the business re-joined the scheme, but the group was fined £961, because of the amount of time it had not been signed up to the scheme, which was 10 weeks.
Residential letting agents and property managers can be fined up to £5,000 for not being part of a redress scheme.
Alison Simmons, head of strategic and private sector housing at Charnwood
Borough Council, said: “It is a legal requirement for residential lettings agents and property managers to be part of a redress scheme and there is no excuse for not following the law.
“While we always support local businesses, we also have a duty to enforce the rules.
“The redress scheme is important because it is an independent organisation that can help resolve problems for tenants and landlords.”
The council monitors lettings agents and property managers to ensure that they are registered with a redress scheme.
If you are concerned that your residential letting agent or property manager does not belong to an approved redress scheme, you can contact the council’s private sector housing department on Loughborough 634651 or email private. housing@ charnwood. gov. uk.