It is a legal requirement for all lettings and property management companies to be a member of a redress scheme.
There are two Government-approved redress schemes:
Complain about your letting agent
Redress schemes provide a free, independent service for resolving disputes between letting agents and tenants or landlords.
Letting agents must cooperate with any investigation. The decision made by a redress scheme is binding on all parties.
Visit the Shelter website for information on how to find and complain to your letting agent's redress scheme.
Reporting your agent if they're not registered
If your letting agent isn't registered with a redress scheme you can report them to the Trading Standards team:
- Phone: 020 7926 5000
- Email: tradingstandards@lambeth.gov.uk
How the scheme affects letting and managing agents
If you're providing lettings or management services in the course of your business it is likely that you will need to register with a Government-approved redress scheme.
You can find more information on this by reading GOV.UK's guidance on redress schemes.
Penalties for failing to join
We have legal powers to enforce this act where an agent is identified as not belonging to a scheme.
Fines of up to £5,000 can be imposed on non-compliant agents.