Posted on 11/11/09, filed under Buy-2-Let, Estate Agents, General Interest | No Comments
News has just reached us that a London sales and letting agent has been expelled from the Property Ombudsman scheme, after a complaint about it on the rental side resulted in a £1,600 fine, which has not been paid. Included in this sum is an award of £200 for aggravation, distress and inconvenience experienced by the complainant.
The case concerned a 12 month-tenancy (start date October 2007); the agent had failed to ensure that the deposit was paid into a deposit scheme, thereby breaching obligations both under the Housing Act 2004 and the TPO Code of Practice.
The landlord agreed, in March 2008, to release the tenant on payment of six weeks’ rent. After the tenant moved out, the landlord claimed that the deposit would be forfeited. TPO accepted the landlord’s claim to the agreed six weeks’ rent (of which approximately £900 was still outstanding) but not the right to take the £2,300 deposit.
At the end of the tenancy, the agent, aware that the deposit would not be paid into a deposit protection scheme, released it in full to the landlord, advising that they no longer wished to retain the deposit but that they considered that the landlord was entitled to it.
It is illegal under the legislation to practise as an Estate Agent without being part of a recognised ombudsman scheme. If the deposit had been paid into a deposit scheme as it should have been, it would have resulted in the tenant recovering approximately £1,400 (deposit less agreed rent outstanding).
Callaways Estate & Lettings Agents are members of the ‘The Property Ombudsman’ scheme.
Posted on 09/11/09, filed under Land | No Comments
Nicki Keely braves the weather to see our winning Team!
Nicki (who works at R W Hilder & Co’s Head Office in Worthing) popped along to see Callaways’ sponsored football team BN3 United play Varndean Rovers on Sunday 8 November. This was a long overdue visit to see the team in action. Here’s what Nicki told me:
“Thankfully the torrential rain stopped mid-morning so I decided that my thick head from a Saturday night at our local with Elvis required some much needed fresh air! I grabbed my husband John with the promise of a trip to Burger King (he had a similar sore head) and we went along to Victoria Park, Portslade. Apparently a few of the players are Brighton & Hove Albion fans and they were happy to see John as he played in goal for Brighton in a former life.
Our team have been doing very well lately and I am happy to report that they scored the winning goal a few minutes before the full-time whistle, despite an injury to Tom Shelley, who had to be carried off. I have since been told he was just badly bruised which is a relief as he didn’t look too good and there was no evidence of any medical support!
The final score was 2-1. After the game, John and I had a quick chat with the Manager Simon Allen and Matt Strong (Captain and Goal Keeper). They were disappointed with their performance but a win is a win! However, the main topic of the conversation was, who was going to be the next Brighton & Hove Albion Manager …!
Posted on 06/11/09, filed under Estate Agents, General Interest | No Comments
If you’re lured by the sound of the sea, and want a beach-front home, you must go down to Goring by Sea and view the Penthouse at ‘Aurora’, a brand new development of just 7 apartments.
There’s something to see at the seaside, whatever the season, and John Masefield’s “I must go down to the seas again …” springs back to my mind. I love the sea when it’s flat calm, with the sun glistening; I also love it when it’s wild and splashing on the pebbles of the beach, throwing up flotsam …
To view, call Claire at Callaways 01903-833138 or Alex on 01273-735237. www.callaways.co.uk
