The rent-to-rent agent who apparently disappeared with tenants’ deposits but has resurfaced as the owner of a Whitegates franchise business, has said he will pay back what he owes – and fully intends to stand up and be counted.
Daniel Burton ran his agency, Unida Place, in Charlotte Street, London. The business, which has attracted complaints and scathing reviews on allAgents, has apparently shut.
However, Burton has now posted a message on both the Unida Place website and a discussion forum:
“Hi all, I am making this statement, against legal advice, as I fully intend to stand up and be counted for what has happened.
“I can’t comment further due to legal reasons, so I won’t be adding to this discussion.
“Firstly, I have not disappeared, ran off into the sunset with millions of pounds despite some sensationalistic journalism. I am currently working 80-90 hours per week in order to pay back every penny to my creditors.
“Unfortunately, I have made some bad business decisions during the growth of my company. I was young, naive, and took my eyes of the ball. I trusted staff when I shouldn’t have and was slow to react to certain situations. I overtraded and was guilty of burying my head in the sand for which I apologise and I am trying my very best to make amends.
“I am holding my hands up and taking full responsibility for mine and my staff’s actions. Over the next 10-14 days I will be contacting every single person I owe money too and explaining what I intend to do. I can’t say exactly when I will be able to pay everyone back but I have already paid over £30,000 back and I personally guarantee everyone will be paid back.
“I am working all the hours I possibly can to do this and for all you people that think I’m living in the lap of luxury I’m driving a 53-plate Transit van, I have sold all my assets and I’m taking minimum wage so I can pay back as much as I can, as quickly as possible. I’m not asking for praise or compliments but just letting you all know what my intentions are and that they are honourable.
“I wholeheartedly apologise for mine and my staff’s actions and please believe me when I say I am trying my best to put right the wrongs.
“I also apologise for bringing negativity on the landlord community, I only hope I can make things right as quick as possible. Dan.”
A spokesperson for Whitegates, part of the Xperience network which is operated by Legal & General, confirmed that Burton remains the principal at the office in Scunthorpe, but said that he is not actually working in the business while an investigation continues.
The spokesperson added: “I can confirm that Daniel Burton has been in regular contact with the Whitegates management team and is co-operating with us. I can also confirm that no Whitegates clients have suffered any financial loss.
“Whitegates is one of the few ARLA registered agents in Scunthorpe and also subscribes to the SafeAgent scheme to ensure the highest possible ethics and standards in the lettings industry.”
Yesterday he put this update on his site:
"Thought I would post a quick update, as it is just over a week since the original post. More payments are being made, and I will update this page as time allows.
"If you are a creditor and I haven’t managed to get through to you yet, please drop me a message on danielgrburton@gmail.com"
Comments
He owes me over £20,000.
If there is anyone else that is owed money too, please get in contact by posting below.
Thanks.
What a closed shop, tightknit cosy industry property is.
Dodgy estate agent runs away from his financial mess, and is allowed to own another estate agency.
Whether it was 'merely' gross negligence or something shadier, how is he allowed to own another estate agency?
Where did he get the money to buy an estate agency franchise - they don't come cheap - after running away from London with missing money? His statement makes it sound like he was a victim, and that he's working minimum wage - but HE OWNS THAT ESTATE AGENCY FRANCHISE!!
Where is ARLA in all this? Where is the Property Ombudsman? Where is Scunthorpe's local Trading Standards? Where is Legal & General's ethics?
All in this together, they are. They protect their own, at the expense of the consumer. We need regulation NOW.
I've always believed that its how someone deals with their problems that defines them, not the circumstances in which they were created.
If he's good to his word and pays back everyone then he'll have hopefully learnt a very important message.
Anyone know how much he is looking to pay back?
Sounds like whitegates have leaned on him to make this statement. We all know this Burton very well. Since his arrival back in the Scunthorpe area he has shown he is still into double dealing. Ask anyone.......
This is the young boy pretending.....
Fair play - give the chap a chance.
What are you trying to say Industry, that you don't believe him.
I say good on him for being honest and would compare him with the likes of Brandon Weston who put a very effective gag on any media coverage of his activities and wrong doings.
As posted yesterday on Landlord Today can anyone tell me of any case of these proportions where:-
1. The perpetrator made themselves out almost a victim
2. They were moving heaven and earth to put things right to the detriment of their own health, marriage, finances etc
3. They actually repaid ALL of the money?