A Labour councillor in Yorkshire claims letting agents are not showing the actual properties available to rent when they use virtual walk-through videos.
Cathy Scott, quoted on the Examiner website, claims: “They are not the actual properties that they’re [renters] getting. I had one yesterday that was ready to move in. [The renters] were signing up and when they arrived it was full of damp. It had a leak in its roof and smashed windows.
“The reason why these policies are so important is that we have got to crack down on these unscrupulous people that are renting properties. It’s about protecting the general public.”
%20-%20IMAGE%20Client%20Accounting%20%E2%80%93%20what%20are%20your%20options.jpg)
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
As always, a single example is then cited as commonplace. TBH I've been amazed we've not heard more of this during covid and the broad adoption of VTs. That said if the tenants/buyers aren't seeing in person and the property does not match what they saw then this would surely fall under the distance selling regulations permitting 14 days to forfeit with no penalty. The example given is also well regulated- and the council could easily step in and take relevant actions handing out a myriad of fines to the offending agent/landlord- further regulatory powers are not needed just utilise what you have. Most councils are making millions from their licensing schemes- reinvest this in to effective, pro-active regulatory enforcement- and in the odd case of a severe breach come down hard on all guilty parties.
I stopped reading after Labour Councillor.
Please login to comment