Letting Agents redress scheme

The Redress Schemes for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management Work (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc) (England) Order 2014 requires all private sector letting or managing agents to belong to one of three redress schemes.

Membership of one of the three redress schemes means that tenants, prospective tenants, landlords dealing with lettings agents in the private rented sector; as well as leaseholders and freeholders dealing with property managers in the residential sector can complain to an independent person about the service received. The schemes offer independent investigation of complaints about hidden fees or poor service. Where a complaint is upheld, tenants and lease holders could receive compensation.

In Hastings there are over 30 agents who let and/or manage privately rented property in the town. All of these agents should belong to one of the following:

• The Property Ombudsman - www.tpos.co.uk
• The Property Redress Scheme - www.theprs.co.uk

If you have a complaint about the standard of service you have received from your letting agent, ask which scheme they belong to of the three - then use the relevant online resources (including standard letters you can send to your agent) to help resolve your complaint.

If your agent is not a member of one the three schemes please contact the Housing Renewal Team, who can ensure the agent joins one of the schemes.