Islington Trading Standards checks on letting agencies

Islington Council’s Trading Standards team is checking letting agencies meet legal requirements – and has warned those who don’t follow the law may face fines.
 
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, letting agencies must be a member of a redress scheme, so the public can turn to an independent body if there is a dispute.   Agencies must also clearly display the fees they charge to landlords and tenants, and explain what they are for.

Trading Standards officers will be writing again to local lettings agents advising them of the legal requirements concerning the display of fees and related requirements, and warning that compliance checks will follow, beginning later this month.

Jan Hart, director of public protection at Islington Council, said: “More and more people in Islington are renting privately, and we want to make sure they are treated fairly and have good homes to live in.

“We urge all Islington letting agencies to ensure that they are fully aware of their legal responsibilities, in particular in relation to the publication and description of fees and related matters, and that they implement these requirements or face the risk of being fined.”

For more information about these requirements for letting agencies, please visit:  www.businesscompanion.info or, if you are a business in Islington, email trading.standards@islington.gov.uk