Six letting agencies across the London borough of Haringey have been fined a total of £12,000 after a council clampdown.

Trading Standards identified the letting agencies which failed to join a mandatory Client Money Protection Scheme – however, the authority has not named the agencies concerned.

Councillor Sarah Williams, who leads the council’s housing services committee, says: “Haringey Council is cracking down on rogue letting agents, protecting Haringey’s 90,000 private renters.

“Letting agents have a legal duty to safeguard their clients, and Haringey Council will take enforcement action against any agents who do not comply with regulations.

“Thanks to the diligent work of our officers we have identified six agents who put their landlords and tenants at financial risk. This, alongside other policies such as our selective licensing scheme, is part of our ongoing work to strengthen Haringey’s private rented sector.”

Since April 2019, agents in the private rented sector in England who hold client money must obtain membership from a government approved or designated Client Money Protection Scheme.