One hundred complaints.

May 8, 2015

Since October last year it was  mandatory that Property Agents  be joined up to a consumer redress scheme, essentially  a scheme authorised by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and National Trading Standards, a  role in which the scheme  would provide fair and reasonable resolutions to disputes between members of the public and property agents.

The Property Redress Scheme (PRS) one of three consumer redress schemes has now processed its 100th Complaint – six months since it became mandatory that all Letting Agents and Property Management Agents join a consumer redress scheme .

PRS points out that two areas that Agents should be consciously aware of is  – Documentation and Communication.

Clear and unambiguous documents, in particular those that relate to terms and conditions, charges and management agreements, are essential to ensure that the customer is fully protected. This also protects the Agent, defines the business relationship and manages customer expectations.

Communication is also essential and Agents should ensure that they do everything to keep the channels open even when the relationship is breaking down.  Not doing so inevitably leads to the situation deteriorating and by the time of scheme involvement, the consequences have moved far beyond the initial dissatisfaction.

Sean Hooker, Head of Redress for the PRS states on their website “It is still, in my view, the duty of the industry is to help police this legislation. There are a number of Agents out there who either through ignorance or wilful defiance have not signed up to a scheme. We are therefore working with local authorities to ensure the law is enforced as vigorously as possible and consumers remain protected.”

 

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Don’t Put The Property Market On Pause

What Estate Agents actually want from the Budget Estate Agents are looking to the looming Budget for something that has been in short supply across the property market in recent years – certainty. That was one of the clearest messages to come out of iamproperty’s recent roundtable attended by agents from across the UK. The…
Read More →
Breaking News

Before You Sign: 10 Things Home Movers Wish They Knew

Almost three quarters of home movers wish they knew more before making or accepting an offer as property professionals call for reform Almost three quarters (73%) of people who have recently bought or sold a home wish they had known more about the property or its location before making or accepting an offer, according to…
Read More →
Breaking News

Property expert warns homeowners to lock in amid mortgage rates uncertainty

With mortgage rates fluctuating and threatening to rise, homeowners hoping for cheaper borrowing in 2027 are being warned against delaying their mortgage plans if they’re anticipating lower rates According to Moneyfacts, the average five-year fixed mortgage rate has now reached 6% in October, the highest level in around three years, while the average two-year fixed…
Read More →
mycelium growth
Breaking News

Damp and mould online searches rise by 34%

The latest research from Inventory Base shows that search interest in damp and mould has increased by 34.2% in the latest two-month comparison, while searches for damp have risen by 29.1% and mould by 16.8%. The analysis of Google search interest trends* found that searches for “damp and mould” rose from an average search interest…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Nearly two-thirds of movers want homes that generate their own energy

Neary two-thirds of movers (63%) want their home to generate most or all of its own energy More than half, 53%, say recent energy-price rises have increased their interest in solar panels and home battery storage Just 8% would prefer to remain fully reliant on the grid Since 2022, mentions of heat pumps in newly…
Read More →
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Act: A review of the first six months

Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) coming into force on May 1st, there were many concerns across the industry. Landlords were probably most worried about the removal of section 21 and fixed-term tenancies, fearing it would be harder and take longer to remove troublesome tenants and regain possession of their properties. Widespread predictions were…
Read More →