Three property brokers and two letting brokers have been expelled from The Property Ombudsman for failing to pay compensation awards to shoppers.
Prime Property Brokers, Cowlings Property Brokers, Nexmove, The Jolly Landlord and Lilypad Estates London are the businesses named and shamed.
Native and nationwide Buying and selling Requirements, in addition to property portals, have been notified as a part of the expulsion course of.
Lesley Horton, interim ombudsman of The Property Ombudsman, mentioned: “Expulsion is a final resort and that’s evident within the low numbers.
“We at all times try to be very clear and clarify the proof that has led to our selections and any award we make, each to companies and to shoppers.
“This method works nicely, with 99% of companies complying with our selections and paying awards when directed.
“We additionally spotlight the place brokers can enhance their service and proactively perform audits to examine that they’re following greatest observe and laws.”
Prime Property Brokers on Clarendon Road, Nottingham, did not refund a purchaser’s £7,200 reservation price after a purchase order fell via.
The agent didn’t comply with their very own phrases and circumstances, failing to current any appropriate different properties or refunding the client in full. The Property Ombudsman awarded a complete of £7,400 to the client to mirror the return of the price and £200 for the misery brought about.
Cowlings Property Brokers on The Quay, Bideford, Devon, was ordered to pay £1,087 after it didn’t receive proof of funds for a property sale, which brought about the sellers to withdraw.
The agent confirmed within the Memorandum of Sale that it was a money purchaser, however the sellers later found that the client was sourcing finance to finish the sale.
After the renegotiated phrases couldn’t be met, the sellers withdrew. The Property Ombudsman supported the criticism and made the award to cowl the vendor’s prices.
Nexmove (registered firm identify: NXMVETGN Ltd) on Den Highway, Teignmouth, Devon, additionally did not disclose the supply and availability of a purchaser’s funds till after the sale fell via.
The agent didn’t take any cheap steps to learn the way the sale was being funded however advised the sellers that it was a money purchaser. The Property Ombudsman directed the agent to pay an award of £400.
The Jolly Landlord on Dunnings Lane, Bulphan, Essex, was concerned in a dispute after it didn’t switch a tenant’s deposit and first months’ lease to the owner.
The Property Ombudsman’s investigation discovered that the agent’s actions led on to the owner terminating their administration settlement with The Jolly Landlord in addition to requesting the termination of the tenancy settlement.
The Ombudsman did consider that regardless of the request, the tenancy settlement was nonetheless in place and the owner had made no effort to get better the funds instantly from the agent. £350 was awarded to the tenant to mirror the avoidable stress and inconvenience.
Lilypad Estates London on Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill, didn’t switch eight months of rental funds to a landlord and stopped all communication. In spite of everything elements of the dispute had been upheld, the agent was directed to pay a £200 award, plus the excellent lease.
The companies had been referred to the Ombudsman’s Compliance Committee, which dominated that they need to be excluded from the scheme. 9 companies have been expelled from the scheme in 2025.
