A lettings agency trading as Bowden Property Group Ltd has been fined £4,000 and £1,470 for failing to protect two tenancy deposits of £1,200 and £490.

At Belfast Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the company failed to attend and was convicted in its absence for failing to secure the tenancy deposits.

This follows on from an earlier court hearing about the agency some six weeks ago.

The Private Tenancy (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 Article 5B requires landlord/agent (the person who receives the deposit) to secure the deposit within 28 days of receipt. Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for £3,600 and £1,470 but were not paid, therefore court action resulted

Letting Agent Today has attempted to contact Bowden Property Group but its Facebook page has not been updated for some time and its website appears to be down. Companies House has temporarily suspended a process to strike off the agency.