Issue - meetings

Report ES19039

Members noted the Letting Agents Enforcement report that was written and presented by the Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety. This follow up report had been presented to the PDS Committee at the request of the Executive.

Visits had been undertaken by a project officer to ensure that letting agents within the borough were compliant with legislation which required that letting agents correctly displayed fees and protected clients’ money properly. It was also required that letting agents were members of an appropriate redress scheme.

Members were appraised that as a result of the project, 25 businesses had been brought into compliance. The situation had therefore now improved, businesses were complying and the public were being properly informed. Members were informed that no additional costs were anticipated going forward. There would simply be a requirement to investigate complaints.

Members were advised that the project had not been funded by monies that had been recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The money had been found from underspends elsewhere in the service. This meant that monies recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act (£48.1k) could be carried forward.

RESOLVED that the Public Protection and Enforcement PDS Committee note the report.