The Bank of England has kept base interest rate at 5.25%. Some industry figures hoped for a cut following yesterday’s inflation news,...
Archive
![Shock rise in compensation paid by letting agents last year](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/2_MortgageCalculated.png)
The Property Ombudsman received a record number of enquiries with 57,635 people seeking support with their property and housing related issues...
10 June 2024
From: Breaking News
![Propertymark guide helps tenants complain and challenge rent rises](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/HousePrices_balancing-400x310.png)
A new guide from Propertymark explains the rights which private rental tenants have - and sets out how they can challenge...
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
![Rental growth to decline this year warns muted Winkworth](/upload/images/shutterstock_2250281321.jpg)
Winkworth’s first trading statement of 2024 reveals that it saw a five per cent rise in rental revenues in 2023 -...
11 January 2024
From: Breaking News
![Lettings agency snapped up by Chestertons parent company](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/BusinessTeam-400x310.png)
The company which acquired London-focussed agency Chestertons in October has now snapped up another lettings and sales operation. This latest purchase is...
29 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agency failed to return vacant possession of rental property to landlord](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/ToLetBoard-400x310.png)
A London lettings agency has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman for not paying compensation to a landlord following a failure...
14 December 2023
From: Breaking News
![Young tenants delay life-changing decisions while renting](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Section%2021%20use%20found%20to%20be%20overstated.jpg)
Young couples are delaying marriage and starting families until they get out of the rental sector, research by Yorkshire Building Society...
29 September 2023
From: Breaking News
![Scams expert joins board of The Property Ombudsman](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews3-400x310.png)
The Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team is one of two new non-executive directors at The Property Ombudsman. Louise Baxter...
12 September 2023
From: Breaking News
![Rogue agency expelled from Ombudsman but still trading illegally](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews-400x310.png)
A rogue lettings agency in London has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme but is still thought to be trading. Hawks...
10 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Not Good Enough! Property Ombudsman criticises private rental quality](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/HouseInspection_400x310.png)
New figures released this morning from The Property Ombudsman show that the overwhelming number of disputes in the past year involved...
03 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Agents warned: 7% interest rates for many months to come](/upload/images/shutterstock_1011273016.jpg)
A stark warning has been made to lettings and estate agents that interest rates as high as seven per cent may...
25 July 2023
From: Breaking News
![Research reveals time it takes to arrange interim inspections](/upload/images/adv-2021/sponsored-content/Inventory%20Hive/shutterstock_1710746851.jpg)
Interim inspections are a necessity if you want to avoid property issues and tenant relationship breakdowns. They’re a no brainer –...
04 July 2023
From: Sponsored Content
![Rental market set to benefit as buyers hit by cost woes](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Property%20Budget.jpg)
The rental market is set to benefit from a surge in potential buyers putting their purchase plans on hold. Data from NerdWallet...
08 June 2023
From: Breaking News
![Renters Reform Bill - just a delay or a major rethink?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/BuildToRent-400x310.png)
The government has back-tracked on its decision to publish the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill this week. The Mirror newspaper reports that “procedural issues”...
10 May 2023
From: Breaking News
![So Much For Rent Controls - figures show increases, not falls](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/RentOnlineSearch-400x310.png)
Property portal Citylets says average rents in Scotland rose 12.4 per cent in the past year to £1,007 per month -...
27 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
![Ombudsman rules on tenants with children discrimination case](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/FamilyBuyers-400x310.png)
The Property Ombudsman has ruled that a letting agency’s ban on renting to a family with children was discriminatory against women...
23 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Six agencies expelled by The Property Ombudsman](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Banned_400x310.png)
It’s been revealed that agents have been kicked out of The Property Ombudsman in recent months for failing to pay compensatory...
27 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Media accuse agents of mis-selling deposit alternative schemes](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/MortgageCalculated1_400x310.png)
The Observer newspaper has investigated the way letting agents apply so-called zero deposit schemes - and claims that in some cases...
05 December 2022
From: Breaking News
![Big rise in lettings enquiries to The Property Ombudsman](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Forecast-400x310.png)
The Property Ombudsman has reported a big rise in enquiries over last year and a huge rise since the pre-Covid year,...
02 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Named, Shamed, Expelled - rogue agents thrown out by Ombudsman](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Court-UK-400x310.png)
Five agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme - all for compliance failures. The first is Home Trader Properties, in...
04 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![Interest rate set for another big rise - eventually](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/PropertyTax-Wide-InArticle.jpg)
The next meeting of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee has been delayed by a week. A tweet from the BoE...
12 September 2022
From: Breaking News
![Upbeat London market snapshot thanks to ongoing stock shortage](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/BuyToLet-360x280.png)
The first six months of 2022 saw 171 per cent more enquiries from tenants looking for properties in London compared to...
29 July 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agents brought in to beef up Propertymark Qualifications board](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/BusinessResults-400x310-.jpg)
Two senior agents are joining the Propertymark Qualifications board to bring a combined 64 years of experience. Jan Hytch - residential and...
28 July 2022
From: Breaking News
![Belvoir branch amongst raft of agencies kicked out of The Property Ombudsman](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/Property-Newspaper-400x310.jpg)
Six agencies have been excluded from The Property Ombudsman for failing to pay compensation to wronged complainants. One was the Belvoir...
13 July 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
![Urban living back in fashion as agents report demand soaring](/upload/images/Locations/ScotlandFlag400x310.png)
The appeal of city living has been reignited across Scotland with new figures showing a surge in demand and rents for...
13 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Expelled by Ombudsman - rogue agents who refuse to pay compensation](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/CourtCase-400x310.png)
Two agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme for failing to pay compensation awards. Thamlet Estates, based in east London,...
20 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agency employee admits “no lawful basis” for using tenant’s data](/upload/images/Logos/ConnellsGroupWhiteLogo-400x310.jpg)
A member of staff at a Connells-owned branch has been quoted as saying the agency had “no lawful basis” for passing...
14 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Agents Beware: ‘information checklist’ to avoid potential fines and claims](/upload/images/Rental%20Market/landlord-licencing400x310.png)
A checklist for agents to help ensure they steer clear of unwanted fines or claims has been provided by the Guild...
20 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Rogue letting agents kicked out by The Property Ombudsman](/upload/images/new-story-stock-images/CourtImage-400x310.jpg)
Six agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman for failing to pay compensatory awards - five of them for offences...
11 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Ombudsman complaints led by management, comms and record keeping](/img/default/lat.png)
Lettings once again dominated the complaints received by The Property Ombudsman according to its latest annual report - out today but...
24 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![New consultation aims to “root out rogue agents” says RICS](/img/default/lat.png)
New rules out for consultation concerning block management aim to improve professionalism across the sector, root out rogue agents, and increase...
23 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Have Your Say: Ombudsman wants agents’ views on block management](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors are seeking views of agents, landlords and tenants on a new...
13 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Agents’ group warns of widespread evictions without government support](/img/default/lat.png)
The UK Association of Letting Agents trade body is warning of “widespread evictions” unless government support is offered to tenants. UKALA chairman...
13 July 2021
From: Breaking News
![Halo.rent raises £1.25m to digitize home rental process](/img/default/lat.png)
Halo.rent, a proptech startup from the UK, announces the launch of its tenant engagement platform that streamlines the entire rental onboarding...
13 May 2021
From: Sponsored Content
![Yet another agent ejected by Ombudsman may be trading illegally](/img/default/lat.png)
Another lettings agency has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme for failing to pay an outstanding compensation award - but...
16 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Rogue agency may be trading under new name via Facebook, says Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
A lettings agency that failed to pay a compensation award ordered by The Property Ombudsman has been expelled from the scheme...
15 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Agency that failed to pay £300 compensation kicked out of Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
A lettings agent in Slough, called Saville Park Ltd, has been excluded from The Property Ombudsman for failing to pay an outstanding award of £300. TPO received a complaint from tenants...
15 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Great work as charity goes international for supplier FirstPort](/img/default/lat.png)
FirstPort, the residential property services provider, has teamed up with The Turing Trust to help equip a new computer lab at...
02 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Coronavirus fears push ARLA Conference back yet again](/img/default/lat.png)
The annual ARLA Propertymark conference and exhibition, which wasn’t held at all last year because of Coronavirus, has been pushed back...
12 January 2021
From: Breaking News
![2021 will not hold back Agents who are prepared to adapt](/img/default/lat.png)
With the Government announcement this week of another national lockdown across England amid the surging coronavirus infections, it once again puts...
08 January 2021
From: Sponsored Content
![New fire and smoke alarm laws delayed until early 2022](/img/default/lat.png)
The Scottish Parliament has postponed new fire and smoke alarm legislation for 12 months. This move, by its local government committee, follows...
23 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents can do more to speed up transactions by adopting technology](/img/default/lat.png)
Recent debate about urgent need for reform and better collaboration within the property industry, has once again come under the spotlight...
04 December 2020
From: Sponsored Content
![Overwhelming number of agents pay TPO compensation awards](/img/default/lat.png)
An overwhelming 98 per cent of agents who are members of The Property Ombudsman scheme pay compensation when an investigation is...
01 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Keeping the property market moving](/img/default/lat.png)
It’s been an unexpected year for the property market, shaped by the effects of the pandemic. We didn’t quite anticipate the...
27 October 2020
From: Sponsored Content
![Rents tumble in prime London - largest fall for 11 years](/img/default/lat.png)
Data from Knight Frank suggests that average rental values in prime central London fell one per cent last month, taking the...
14 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Agents thrown out by Ombudsman over award payments](/img/default/lat.png)
Three agents have been expelled by The Property Ombudsman for failing to pay compensation awards. In the case of Foremost Lettings Ltd...
26 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![ARLA Conference postponed again until April](/img/default/lat.png)
The Association of Residential Letting Agents has postponed its conference - for a second time. Back in March it was postponed until...
03 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![ESTAS 2020 go live later this week - here's how you can register](/img/default/lat.png)
Some weeks later than usual for understandable reasons, the ESTAS Awards 2020 are almost here - and for the first time...
29 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Next week’s Ombudsman conference webinar - registration opens](/img/default/lat.png)
Registration is open for The Property Ombudsman’s annual conference, being held as a webinar later this month. The event can be watched...
10 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Demand catching up with supply after Prime London’s lettings dip](/img/default/lat.png)
Demand in the prime London lettings market is catching up with supply, reducing short-term downwards pressure on rental values. That’s the view...
05 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Rental market rebounds after early lockdown disintegration](/img/default/lat.png)
The rental market effectively disintegrated in the early days of lockdown before showing signs of a rebound which are still active...
13 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![Big surge in complaints about letting agents taken up by Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
There’s been a substantial 20 per cent rise in formal complaints about agents taken up by The Property Ombudsman. The figures refer...
11 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![Suspend electricity checks, postpone licensing, aid renters - ARLA demands](/img/default/lat.png)
ARLA Propertymark has made a series of demands on the government in the light of the Coronavirus crisis. In a formal written...
07 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![Six lettings agencies expelled from TPO for not paying awards](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has announced the expulsion of eight agencies, all for contravening TPO codes of practice. Most of the expulsions were...
04 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![Government advice on Corona activities, and property management tips](/img/default/lat.png)
Hello, this is the final Conquering Corona for the week as we continue to help agents with advice and guidance through...
17 April 2020
From: Breaking News
![Conquering Corona - self-employment webinar, more PropTech offers](/img/default/lat.png)
Good morning and welcome to today’s edition, helping agents find a way through the Coronavirus crisis by sharing information with the...
07 April 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents warned as council postpones licensing clampdown](/img/default/lat.png)
A local authority has postponed the extension of its private rental sector licensing regime - but it’s warning agents not to...
03 April 2020
From: Breaking News
![Lettings sector guru Shamplina backs longer possession notice](/img/default/lat.png)
Paul Shamplina, the founder of Landlord Action and star of a Channel 5 programme on evictions, says he fully backs the...
30 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![Help the private rental sector - trade group renews call to government](/img/default/lat.png)
The landlords’ newly-merged trade body has renewed its call for the government to do more to help the private rental sector...
26 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![Government confirms anti-eviction measures to be revealed shortly](/img/default/lat.png)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that the government is bringing forward measures to “protect” private tenants against eviction during the...
18 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![Landlord Investment Show postponed - organisers to keep in touch with delegates](/img/default/lat.png)
Tomorrow’s National Landlord Investment show, scheduled for London’s Olympia, has been postponed because of the Coronavirus crisis. The organisers say they reached...
18 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![ARLA Conference postponed until September due to virus](/img/default/lat.png)
The Association of Residential Letting Agents has postponed its conference until September. In a statement to registered attendees last evening ARLA says: “After...
12 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents warned by Ombudsman: Don’t discriminate on DSS claimants](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman is warning agents not to discriminate against tenants through a No DSS or any similar policy. Following the legal...
05 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![Five agents kicked out of Ombudsman scheme after disputes](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has expelled five agencies, mostly for failures to honour awards: four of them are lettings operations and one...
21 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
![BBC asks: Do letting agents mis-sell deposit alternative schemes?](/img/default/lat.png)
A BBC investigation suggests some agents may be mis-selling deposit alternative schemes. Tenants are then hit by what the probe says are...
10 February 2020
From: Breaking News
![Lettings agency boss jailed for £230,000 fraud scandal](/img/default/lat.png)
A Southampton lettings agency owner has been jailed after defrauding landlords and tenants out of £230,000. Andrew Whitehead has been jailed for...
19 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![Three rogue lettings agencies expelled by The Property Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
Three lettings agencies have been expelled from TPO - in each case the agency failed to honour a payment as instructed...
13 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![Three rogue lettings agents expelled by The Property Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has expelled three lettings agencies from its scheme because of unpaid awards to landlord clients. The first is Kingsman...
24 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Rogue agents expelled by TPO for failing to pay compensation awards](/img/default/lat.png)
Two London agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme for failing to honour two compensation awards. The first is Chase...
19 September 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
![Lettings sector doesn’t want “Marxist dystopia” rent controls - claim](/img/default/lat.png)
Rents in London are rocketing but a leading market commentator says this is no reason to give in to a “Marxist dystopia”...
07 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Agents can cut complaints by adopting more PropTech, says guru](/img/default/lat.png)
Letting agencies can reduce the number of complaints about the industry and improve their own customer service and relationships by improving...
26 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Seven rogue letting agents kicked out of Ombudsman scheme](/img/default/lat.png)
Seven agencies have been expelled from membership of The Property Ombudsman after failing to pay compensation awards made by TPO. All are...
03 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Agent fined for having only 'limited' redress cover through TPO](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has issued a reminder to all agents to ensure they have the correct redress membership to cover the...
23 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Agents made to pay record sum to consumers in 2018, says Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has released its annual report for 2018, showing that for the first time the value of awards...
08 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Mother-and-daughter agent fraudsters told to expect jail time](/img/default/lat.png)
Mother and daughter lettings agency fraudsters have been told to expect jail sentences after defrauding landlords and tenants of £266,000 over...
10 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Agents advertising weekly rent should show traditional ‘pcm’ figure too](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman says agents can display weekly rents for homes they market - but they should be displayed alongside monthly...
29 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![Lettings sector welcomes redress reform as landlords face £5,000 fines](/img/default/lat.png)
There’s been broad support from the lettings sector for the wide-ranging reform of the redress system announced yesterday by housing secretary...
25 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![Mystery over missing agent being probed by trading standards](/img/default/lat.png)
Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of a letting agent who appears not to be in any redress scheme, is being investigated by...
14 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![Tenant-power on the rise as landlords reveal willingness to cut rent](/img/default/lat.png)
The power held by tenants is growing across the UK, as new research indicates 61 per cent of buy to let...
08 November 2018
From: Breaking News
![Expelled! Two agencies kicked out of TPO for failing to pay awards](/img/default/lat.png)
Two lettings agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme for failing to pay awards. One is OJ Residentials Limited trading...
05 November 2018
From: Breaking News
![More lettings agencies expelled by TPO for unpaid awards](/img/default/lat.png)
Two more lettings agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman as a result of unpaid awards following disputes involving landlords...
21 September 2018
From: Breaking News
![Agency expelled by TPO after 100 complaints, owing £419k in awards](/img/default/lat.png)
An agency has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman after receiving over 100 separate complaints, and failing to pay over £419,000...
20 September 2018
From: Breaking News
![CPRs; the practicalities](/img/default/lat.png)
In our previous blog, we looked at the definitions outlined by the CPRs. In our next blog we’ll look at the...
29 August 2018
From: Sponsored Content
![Client Money Protection scheme launched by Propertymark](/img/default/lat.png)
Propertymark has launched a new Client Money Protection system, Money Shield, with a support statement from much of the lettings sector...
23 August 2018
From: Breaking News
![Kicked out: two lettings agencies expelled by The Property Ombudsman](/img/default/lat.png)
Two lettings agencies have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme. The first is Bower & Bower (B&B), a sales and lettings...
22 June 2018
From: Breaking News
![Call for agents to use PropTech to help clean up their act](/img/default/lat.png)
A leading PropTech entrepreneur has renewed his call for letting agents to use more technology to clean up their act when...
05 June 2018
From: Breaking News
![Getting worse: complaints to TPO about letting agents soar 11%](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has issued its annual report for 2017 and it makes grim reading for the rental sector - there’s...
17 May 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
![More industry backing for government's crackdown on agents](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman is the latest property industry player to throw its support behind the introduction of mandatory qualifications and a...
04 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![Property Ombudsman expels lettings agencies over payments issues](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman has released details of two letting agencies expelled over financial issues, and the extension of an expulsion period...
26 March 2018
From: Breaking News
![Newspaper claims agency lures tenants with homes that are unavailable](/img/default/lat.png)
The Observer newspaper has published a story alleging that a London lettings agency “pressured” prospective tenants into accepting accommodation without viewing...
21 March 2018
From: Breaking News
![Agencies expelled from Ombudsman scheme for non-payment of rents](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman scheme has today announced three expulsions of agencies as a result of non-payment of rent or awards. Firstly, a...
10 January 2018
From: Breaking News
![Ombudsman launches latest phase of clampdown on rogue lettings agents](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman scheme has launched the third and latest phase of its national campaign with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute...
14 November 2017
From: Breaking News
![TPO extends rogue letting agency's ban by four years](/img/default/lat.png)
The Property Ombudsman scheme (TPO) has extended its expulsion of a letting agency by an additional four years. Premier Property Management, based...