A property management company has been fined £3,000 after failing to join a Government-approved redress scheme for tenants, leaseholders and landlords, after an intervention by Tower Hamlets Council’s trading standards team.
Following a hearing at the Upper Tribunal, G Crawford Management Ltd of Westferry Road on the Isle of Dogs was found to be in breach of legal requirements concerning its management of the Lockesfield Place Estate.
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets said: “It’s good to see our officers working proactively to ensure property managers fulfil their duties. This decision sends a clear message to other companies considering flouting the rules.
“We have established a Private Renters’ Charter to support tenants and landlords by setting out the standards that everyone involved has a right to expect. It is important that where those standards are not met, there is a means of redress that works.”
Property managers are now required, by law, to belong to a Government-approved redress scheme. The aim is that tenants, leaseholders and landlords have a way of resolving disputes or challenging poor service without having to engage in lengthy and costly court proceedings.
Despite repeated warnings from Tower Hamlets Council’s trading standards team about the need to join a scheme, G Crawford Management refused to do so.
Judge Howard Levenson, sitting at the Upper Tribunal, ruled that the refusal meant the company was in breach of The Redress Schemes for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management Work (England) Order 2014. He imposed a £3,000 fine.
Councillor Sirajul Islam, Deputy Mayor for Housing said: “Our Trading Standards team works proactively with businesses to ensure compliance with legislation and regulation.
“The redress schemes are in place to ensure fairness for tenants, leaseholders and landlords and I’m pleased to see the spirit of this order upheld.”
Tenants, leaseholders and landlords can report concerns to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.
- Press realise