Rip-off landlords and letting agents face tough crackdown on vague bills and poor repairs

ROGUE landlords and letting agents who hit renters with rip-off charges face a tough new crackdown this week.

Ministers are to unveil a compulsory code of practice stopping agents imposing hidden fees and deliberately vague bills or carrying out poor repairs.

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New rules will stop letting and management agents from imposing hidden fees, unexpected costs, deliberately vague bills or carrying out poor quality repairs.

And they will stop agents from billing both tenants and landlords for the same service.

Agents will in future be required to obtain a nationally-recognised qualification to practice.

An independent regulator will be given power to prosecute those who break the law – and those who fail to comply will be banned from trading.

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Housing Minister Heather Wheeler said: “Most property agents take a thorough and professional approach when carrying out their business, but sadly some do not.

“By introducing new standards for the sector, we will clamp down on the small minority of agents who abuse the system so we can better protect tenants and leaseholders who find themselves at the end of a raw deal.”

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The code will set up a new system for leaseholders to challenge unfair fees including service charges.

It will offer support to switch managing agents when they perform poorly or break the terms of their contract.

All agents will be required to undertake continuing professional development and training.

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