There was a whopping 42 per cent rise in referrals to The Property Ombudsman last year according to the annual report for 2014, released this morning.
TPO is the largest of the three compulsory redress systems operating for sales and lettings agencies.
It says the surge in referrals is because of what it calls the general trend in the consumer world to challenge when something does not give satisfaction as well as an increase in agents joining the scheme as a result of legislation governing the lettings sector.
Six months on from the introduction of new legislation, making it a legal requirement for lettings agents and property managers in England to join a government approved redress scheme, the report indicates the number of letting offices now signed up to TPO scheme has reached a record level of 12,915.
This brings the total number of sales and lettings offices in the TPO scheme to 26,735.
Once again, there has been a significant rise in complaints concerning the private rental sector.
With an estimated 1.6m private landlords, many of whom have limited experience and understanding of their responsibilities, and large numbers of consumers seeking tenancies, the role of letting and managing agents in providing quality customer service based on a comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, is more important now than ever before says The Property Ombudsman, Christopher Hamer.
Data from TPO's annual report for lettings include:
- a 19% increase in registered membership letting offices;
- a 40% rise in lettings cases received;
- a 33% increase in cases resolved via mediation;
- a 10% increase in cases resolved via formal review;
- an 11% of lettings issues reported to TPO related to repair and maintenance;
- some 54% of complainants were landlords versus 44% tenants;
- the average lettings award has risen 27% from £411.97 to £524.10;
- the regional breakdown shows 23% of complainants were from the South East, followed by Greater London (21%) the South West (9%) on par with North West (9%).
Data from TPO's annual report for sales include:
- a 14% increase in registered membership sales offices;
- a 43% rise in sales cases received;
- a 21% increase in cases resolved via mediation;
- a 13% increase in cases resolved via formal review;
- 20% of sales issues reported to TPO related to communication failure;
- 59% of complainants were sellers versus 39% buyers.
- and the regional breakdown shows 23% of complainants were from the South East, followed by Greater London (13%) & South West and Eastern Region both (11%).
The full annual report is available on www.tpos.co.uk/annual_reports.htm
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Comments
MORE b011ocks. Your initial comment was written as if it was based upon genuine information - it was clearly your own incorrect opinion of the situation. As have been other posts I have read and responded to recently.
Suggest you change your monicker - "property saviour" is a joke.
How about Co-co The slapstick humour is easier to recognise that what you pass off as 'knowledge'.
PeeBee
I do not consider myself to be 'an expert' - I do not know where you get that impression from. I felt that it was useful for estate agent who are part of the scheme to be recognised whilst acknowledgement of a small minority who spoil it for majority.
I'll not apologising for speaking my mind. If you have nothing useful to add, what can I say
Oh, dear - you highlight once again your lack of knowledge of the subject you want everyone to think you are some kind of expert on.
From the NFoPP website - "Estate Agents (Defined by section 1 of the Estate Agents Act 1979) in the United Kingdom have been required to belong to an independent redress scheme (alternatively known as an Ombudsman) since 1 October 2008. This requirement was brought about by the introduction of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 and specifically The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2008."
Looking forward to your next offering of unadulterated billshut. Don't worry - there'll always be someone who actually understands the industry there to correct your glaring inaccuracies once again...
The issue is that many of estate agents and letting agents are still not members of TPS.
Therefore, consumer have no course of re-dress against the real cowboys. Well done to those who are registered and I am sure delivering a good service overall.
Definitely a good thing. More accountability means more mutual trust and a better relationship between customer and provider. Win-win.
Good. Some of these cowboys need to be held to account. Some, not all.