Agent fined over deposit issues

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has expelled a London-based estate agent who failed to safeguard a tenant's deposit or pay compensation.

Global Realty, which has two north London offices, has had its membership to the ombudsman scheme revoked after failing to comply with a £1,600 award decision.

Ombudsman Christopher Hamer had ordered the firm to pay £1,400 directly to a tenant after returning her deposit to a landlord without adequately checking it was protected under a tenancy deposit scheme.

An additional £200 was awarded to the tenant for aggravation, distress and inconvenience caused by having to track down the landlord for the money, which is yet to be repaid.

Bill McCintock, chief operating officer at TPO, said: "This firm signed up to be voluntary members of the scheme for its lettings activities so was bound to accept the Ombudsman's decision once it was made."

"The Property Ombudsman scheme's disciplinary and standards committee has made it clear that agents who don't honour the Ombudsman's decisions will be expelled and this is the fourth time it has used the sanction for non-payment of an award this year."

When TPO takes the step to expel an agent, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is notified and the firm is the banned from displaying TPO or OFT logos on its premises.

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