LETTING AGENTS FACE £30K FINES IN NEW COUNCIL CRACKDOWN

Bid to protect residents and businesses

LETTING agents are being warned they could be fined up to £30,000 for breaking the law in a new council crackdown.

The trading standards and private sector housing teams at Stoke-on-trent City Council are checking that letting agents in the city are complying with standards, as part of a West Midlands-wide project.

The council has received a number of compaints about letting agents and landlords, relating to issues such as illegal charges, agents failing to protect deposits or ensure membership of the redress schemes.

Since 1 April 2019, all letting agents and management firms that handle clients’ money must be part of a governmentapproved Protection (CMP) scheme, which means tenants’ rent and deposits are protected if the business fails. Failure to be part of such a scheme can leave customers exposed to financial risk.

In addition to being part of a CMP scheme, letting agents must also clearly display the name and logo of the CMP provider and a viewable certificate, along with landlord and tenant fees and charges.

Letting agents must also be part of an approved redress scheme for resolving disputes with customers. They must display the name of the scheme, its logo and certificate number on their website and in their offices.

During the crackdown the council provide local letting agents with advice and support to ensure they are aware of these rules. But they will also be warned their failure to comply could result in a fine of up to £30,000.

Carl Edwards, cabinet member for housing and environment at the city council, left, said: “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 the council’s trading standards team on 01782 236065 or by emailing public. protection@stoke.gov.uk