The Property Ombudsman is one of the three government approved redress schemes which aims to protect the public and offers a free, independent and impartial dispute resolution service for consumer complaints against UK property agents. This also means that they don’t take sides.
Legal Requirement
From the first of October 2014, it became a legal requirement for all managing agents and property managers to belong to a government approved redress scheme. Before this date it was entirely a voluntary decision for the agency to join such a scheme.
There are currently three approved schemes:
- Ombudsman Services Property
- Property Redress Scheme
- The Property Ombudsman
If your management company hasn’t joined one of the redress schemes mentioned above, they could potentially be fined by their local authority of up to £5,000.
Which redress scheme are you with?
Advance Block Management is a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPOS) and has a membership with the Residential Leasehold Management. This offers to resolve disputes made by leaseholders of blocks of flats. As part of the membership, members also need to abide by the General Membership Obligations.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO)
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) was formed in 2009 and was first formerly known as the Ombudsman for Estate Agents. The change of name meant that they were able to cover more areas such as Sales, Lettings, Leasehold Management etc.
TPO has a complaint procedure and the membership applies to managing agents who have to abide by the code of practice issued by the organisation.
Advance view?
Advance Block Management welcomes the government decision making it an obligation on all property management companies to subscribe to a redress scheme. This enables greater protection for consumers and leaseholders. While it would have been perfect for no complaints to exist in the first place, having such an obligation in place on agents would give leaseholders the reassurance of being treated fairly. Leaseholders/consumers are given the option that if they are not being treated fairly to take their complaint elsewhere and it being overseen independently.
Advance Block Management offers a friendly and professional service to all of our residents, leaseholders and clients. If in the unlikely event you are not happy with our service please contact us at the first instance so we may look into your enquiry and offer our assistance to you.