A new guide from Propertymark explains the rights which private rental tenants have - and sets out how they can challenge...
Archive
23 April 2024
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Agency kicked out by Ombudsman for just £1,100](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews3-400x310.png)
A lettings agency has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme following itsfailure to pay £1,100 out of an adjudicated award...
26 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Complaints About Agents - huge rise in compensation](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/TenantDispute-400x310.png)
There’s been a large rise in complaints and a huge increase in compensation according to figures out today from the Property...
18 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![High profile supplier restructures and renames](/upload/images/1%20AgentsWorking-400x310.png)
One of the highest profile groups in the private rental sector supplier space - Hamilton Fraser - is restructuring. In future the...
13 February 2024
From: Breaking News
![Is the government deliberately delaying the Renters Reform Bill?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews3-400x310.png)
The long-awaited Third Reading of the controversial Renters Reform Bill will not happen this week according to the Leader of the...
29 January 2024
From: Breaking News
![Agents List Radical Changes needed to Renters Reform Bill](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Compliance-1-400x310.png)
Propertymark's latest research report suggests some letting agents want radical changes to the Renters Reform Bill now going through Parliament. The aim...
25 January 2024
From: Breaking News
![Agents list major problems with Renters Reform Bill](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/LearningAgents-400x310.png)
Propertymark has set out its pro-agency position on a range of issues contained in the Renters Reform Bill, currently trundling through...
07 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Renters Reform Bill - webinar to update agents on latest changes](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews2-400x310.png)
A webinar is being held tomorrow, aimed to urging agents to get ahead of changes to the industry likely to be...
27 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![Renters Reform Bill - Online course explains what it means](/upload/images/shutterstock_1250649805.jpg)
PropTech platform Goodlord has launched a one hour online course explaining the controversial Renters Reform Bill. The aim is to equip letting...
04 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Kicked Out! Redress scheme expels five rogue agencies](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Franchise-400x310.png)
The Property Redress Scheme has released its latest list of expelled agents - mostly for rental misdemeanours and/or failure to pay...
24 July 2023
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Rogue agents expelled from Property Redress Scheme](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Banned_400x310.png)
The Property Redress Scheme, one of two government-approved redress services, has produced a list of recently-expelled agencies. All agencies must be a...
26 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![String of dodgy letting agents expelled by Ombudsman](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Banned_400x310.png)
Several lettings agents have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme; they are amongst eight named as having been kicked out...
06 April 2023
From: Breaking News
Introduce yourself A: My name is Sean Hooker. I have worked for the HFIS group for sixteen years, originally helping set...
23 March 2023
From: 60 Second Interview
![Big rise in complaints to Property Redress Scheme](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/RentalHousingUK-400x310.png)
There’s been a big rise in the number of complaints about agents lodged with the Property Redress Scheme, which says it’s...
09 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Property Redress Scheme now largest lettings redress service](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews2-400x310.png)
The Property Redress Service claims to be the largest lettings redress service now, with over 13,250 letting agency branches on board. In...
12 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Banks are closing their doors to Letting Agents](/upload/images/Back-link-images/banks%20are%20closing%20their%20doors%20to%20letting%20agents.jpg)
UK banks are closing client accounts held by established letting agents and refusing to open accounts for new businesses. The Problem A growing...
19 December 2022
From: Sponsored Content
![More lettings reps on beefed up redress panel](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Compliance-2-400x310.png)
One of the two official redress bodies, the Property Redress Scheme, has announced a beefed up advisory panel with a substantial...
25 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agents to be briefed on the latest rental reform updates](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/MillenialAgents1-400x310.png)
The head of the Property Redress Scheme will give agents the lowdown on the recent Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper...
19 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Pets In Lets - no answer yet to issues of damage and costs](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Pets/DogsandCats-400x310.png)
The latest update from industry discussions about allowing more pets in private rental properties suggests there’s not been a solution yet...
05 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Beefed Up Property Details - industry bosses back call for Material Information](/upload/images/PropTech%20%26%20Online/AgentsWindow-1-400x310.jpg)
Senior figures in the agency industry have backed new guidance from the National Trading Standards Estate and Lettings Agent Team regarding...
13 July 2022
From: Breaking News
![Redress expert to tell agents latest news on rental reform](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/agent_and_homes_360x280.png)
Sean Hooker, head of redress at the Property Redress Scheme, will discuss the latest rental reform proposals and answer letting agents'...
19 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Virtual Viewings complaints rise to Property Redress Service](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/Hybrid-Property-400x310.jpg)
PRS, one of the two official redress services for the lettings and sales agency sectors, says it’s seen an increase in...
28 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![myDeposits parent company acquired by big insurance group](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/Bridging%20image2%20695x400.jpg)
Hamilton Fraser, well known as a provider of insurance products and services to letting agents and landlords, has been acquired by...
22 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agency given penalty notices for operating illegally](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/Fined400x310.jpg)
A letting agency has been issued with penalty notices worth £3,000 for operating illegally. Back in 2014 it became a legal requirement...
03 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![Mystery agent refuses to pay £150,000 owed in guaranteed rent](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/LegalAction-400x310.png)
The Property Redress Scheme has expelled an agent operating a guaranteed rent scheme which failed to pay £150,000 to a former landlord client. The agent...
12 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Complaints about lettings agents are soaring, says redress firm](/img/default/lat.png)
Complaints referred to the Property Redress Scheme against its members grew by more than a quarter during 2020. In its annual report...
13 July 2021
From: Breaking News
![Lettings agency training and regulation - are they really coming at last?](/img/default/lat.png)
After years of deliberation there still appears to many to be little progress on the recommendations of the Regulation of Property...
19 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Trading Standards urges agents to watch out for scams](/img/default/lat.png)
The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agents Team is appealing to the industry to be eagle-eyed for scams. This follows the...
22 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![Letting agent “illegally working” without redress scheme membership](/img/default/lat.png)
The Daily Mail says it has informed Trading Standards of a lettings agent which is claims is “illegally working” despite not...
17 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![New property ID system aims to identify rogue buy to lets](/img/default/lat.png)
A new property identification system which has won the backing of ARLA Propertymark and substantial parts of the industry has said...
15 January 2021
From: Breaking News
![Over 10 agencies a week closing down, claims protection scheme](/img/default/lat.png)
One of the government’s approved client money protection schemes claims over 10 lettings agencies a week are closing. Client Money Protect makes the...
03 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Agency kicked out of redress scheme for phishing](/img/default/lat.png)
North of England lettings agency Matthew & Evans Rentals has been kicked out of the Property Redress Scheme, one of the two...
28 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Redress operator bigs up its own mediation service](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Redress Scheme, one of the two government-authorised redress services, claims its new mediation option is a success. In March this...
18 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents offer arrears help to tenants hit by Corona cash crisis](/img/default/lat.png)
ARLA Propertymark and other organisations from across the housing sector have joined forces to support tenants and landlords facing rent arrears...
03 July 2020
From: Breaking News
![40% of agents still not fully open and most have staff on furlough](/img/default/lat.png)
Two thirds of letting agents will still have staff on furlough next month according to a survey of 231 agencies -...
26 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Mediation bid to keep agents, tenants and landlords out of court](/img/default/lat.png)
One of the official redress operators - Property Redress Scheme - has launched a tenancy mediation service for agents, landlords and...
28 April 2020
From: Breaking News
![Referral Fee clampdown confirmed for lettings agents too](/img/default/lat.png)
The clampdown on referral fees, until now concentrated on the sales sector, will extend to letting agents too. James Munro, head of...
28 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![Fees Act confusion could trigger surge in complaints about agents](/img/default/lat.png)
Confusion among renters over the complex Tenant Fees Act could trigger a surge in complaints about agents to redress schemes -...
12 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![Over 200 complaints of agents allegedly charging illegal fees](/img/default/lat.png)
The Times claims there have been well over 200 complaints lodged with redress schemes, alleging that lettings agents tried to charge...
23 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Six lettings agencies kicked out by Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has announced a slew of expulsions after six agents failed to comply with redress rules. They failed to abide...
12 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Redress scheme makes £25,000 award after “failings” by lettings agent](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Redress Scheme, one of the two government-backed redress operators for the lettings and sales service, has outlined its work...
23 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Fees Ban: new workshop aims to help agents offset damage](/img/default/lat.png)
Hamilton Fraser’s Academy programme has announced its next workshop, on May 14, to target how lettings agents can future-proof their business...
25 March 2019
From: Breaking News
![Redress scheme wants landlords to join now 'on a voluntary basis'](/img/default/lat.png)
One of the existing two government-authorised redress schemes governing estate and letting agents has called on landlords to voluntarily join, ahead...
06 February 2019
From: Breaking News
![Mandatory CMP: PRS and CMProtect taking 'joined up' approach](/img/default/lat.png)
The parent company of The Property Redress Scheme (PRS) says its group companies will be taking a more 'joined up' approach...
03 September 2018
From: Breaking News
![Mandatory inventories could still happen, says campaigning trade body](/img/default/lat.png)
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks says it still believes there is an opportunity for the government to introduce mandatory inventory...
27 July 2018
From: Breaking News
![Another redress scheme runs a special offer - this time for agents in NALS](/img/default/lat.png)
The scramble for members amongst rival redress systems continues apace. Earlier this week The Property Ombudsman announced it was to waive joining...
25 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![Rent To Rent needs better regulation, urges redress operator](/img/default/lat.png)
One of the government’s three approved official redress providers says companies operating in the Rent-to-Rent sector should be obliged to join...
16 November 2017
From: Breaking News
![Inventory clerks say it's no surprise lettings complaints are surging](/img/default/lat.png)
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks says it is not surprised the majority of complaints made to The Property Redress Scheme...
11 September 2017
From: Breaking News
![Big surge in complaints over property management and deposits](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Redress Scheme, one of three approved redress operations, says it saw a 33 per cent increase in membership in...
15 August 2017
From: Breaking News
![Tenant's mammoth dispute with agency over fees and redress](/img/default/lat.png)
A former tenant is the subject of a major investigation by a London newspaper after she claimed to have spent eight...
09 August 2017
From: Breaking News
![Eviction firm Landlord Action acquired by redress scheme owner](/img/default/lat.png)
HF Resolution Ltd, a subsidiary of Hamilton Fraser, has acquired one of the industry’s leading tenant eviction solicitor firms, Landlord Action. Landlord...
23 June 2017
From: Breaking News
![New website brings together PRS, mydeposits and others](/img/default/lat.png)
Hamilton Fraser - parent firm to mydeposits, Total Landlord Insurance, Property Redress Scheme and Client Money Protect - has brought its...
02 March 2017
From: Breaking News
![Agent must pay £5,000 'no redress' fine to local council](/img/default/lat.png)
The operator of a troubled letting agency in Huddersfield has had until this week to pay a £5,000 fixed penalty notice...
23 February 2017
From: Breaking News
![Controversial lettings agency shuts office with no notice](/img/default/lat.png)
A letting agency at the centre of a controversy following a ruling by The Property Ombudsman has shut its office and...
15 February 2017
From: Breaking News
![New podcasts aim to educate agents, landlords and tenants](/img/default/lat.png)
Hamilton Fraser - parent company to several key brands operating in the private rental sector - has launched a series of...
09 January 2017
From: Breaking News
![NALS 'fair fees' agents committed to making fee ban work](/img/default/lat.png)
The NALS ‘Fair Fees Forum’ - set up before last week’s announcement on the banning of letting agency fees levied on tenants...
29 November 2016
From: Breaking News
![Agents' association switches redress scheme after bidding process](/img/default/lat.png)
The UK Association of Letting Agents will not be using Ombudsman Service: Property to provide its dispute resolution service from the...
14 October 2016
From: Breaking News
![TPO wants letting agency industry's views on Client Money Protection](/img/default/lat.png)
Lettings agents are being invited to take part in a national online survey launching today and seeking to get an industry-wide...
01 September 2016
From: Breaking News
![AIIC launches online training courses](/img/default/lat.png)
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) has announced that it is now offering a comprehensive range of high quality online...
04 August 2016
From: Sponsored Content
![Inventory clerks announce partnership with Property Redress Scheme](/img/default/lat.png)
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) has announced that it has joined the Property Redress Scheme (PRS). With over 700 members,...
01 June 2016
From: Breaking News
![Rent Smart Wales workshop announced for July](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Redress Scheme (PRS) has announced the details of a workshop for Welsh letting agents, taking place in July. The event...
27 May 2016
From: Breaking News
![Sean Hooker, Head of Redress, PRS](/img/default/lat.png)
Who are you? I’m the Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme. I previously worked for Legal & General PLC dealing...
23 December 2015
From: 60 Second Interview
![Council's new powers to fine agents flouting redress schemes](/img/default/lat.png)
One of Britain’s largest local authorities has beefed up its powers so it can issue fines of up to £5,000 on...
12 November 2015
From: Breaking News
![Redress scheme expels letting agent for not paying compensation](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Redress Scheme has expelled a letting agency following non-compliance with a redress decision. The complaint regarded a holding deposit. The...
11 August 2015
From: Breaking News
![Redress chief names councils strongest on policing agents](/img/default/lat.png)
Unitary local authorities where trading standards and environmental health teams work to the same objectives are more successful at clamping down...
30 July 2015
From: Breaking News
![Agent upset at lack of redress prosecutions](/img/default/lat.png)
A letting agent is angry that there has not been a single prosecution in his region as a result of agencies...
27 July 2015
From: Breaking News
![11 agents fined £37k for not joining redress schemes](/img/default/lat.png)
Eleven letting agencies in just one city have been fined a total of £37,000 for not being members of any of...
21 July 2015
From: Breaking News
![Redress scheme extends into mediation services](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Redress Scheme, one of the three approved ombudsman-style redress schemes for estate and letting agents, is expanding into small...
15 June 2015
From: Breaking News
![Fee disclosure: Are you ready for an inspection?](/img/default/lat.png)
Earlier this week we passed the official deadline for letting agents to fully publicise their fees as well as providing evidence of which...