News
Islington letting agents to face compliance checks by Trading Standards
In a move that is likely to be welcomed by the lettings industry, Islington Council’s Trading Standards team are to carry out checks to ensure that all local letting agents are meeting their legal requirements – and has warned those who don’t follow the law may face fines.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, all letting agents must be a member of a government approved redress scheme, so the public can turn to an independent body if there is a dispute. Agencies must also clearly display the fees they charge to landlords and tenants, and explain what they are for.
Information on redress scheme membership, fees and client money protection status must be clearly displayed in-store and on the company’s website.
Trading Standards officers will be writing again to local lettings agents advising them of the legal requirements concerning the display of fees and related requirements, and warning that compliance checks will follow, beginning later this month.
Jan Hart, director of public protection at Islington Council, said:
“More and more people in Islington are renting privately, and we want to make sure they are treated fairly and have good homes to live in.
“We urge all Islington letting agencies to ensure that they are fully aware of their legal responsibilities, in particular in relation to the publication and description of fees and related matters, and that they implement these requirements or face the risk of being fined.“
For more information about these requirements, Islington letting agents can contact the Council’s Trading Standards team at email trading.standards@islington.gov.uk.
