The Property Ombudsman

I was renting a room in London and when I gave my notice, property agency claimed that it is not them ho are managing the rental, but the owner. I could not get hold of my deposit as agent would claim that money were sent to owner and owner would say he never received them. When in fact my deposit should have been sitting in safe government account. Nevertheless, it took 2 years and a miracle, but with help and support of property ombudsman I got my deposit back with a bit of extra on a top of it.

I thought the Property Ombudsman would help us to hold an estate agent to account when the mistake they made cost us a sale and £1.5k in fees. The estate agent then lied to cover their tracks.

Turns out TPO believed the lies and sided with the estate agents and we’re left out of pocket.

This organisation is supposed to protect us from estate agents who lie and make mistakes. They’ve failed us and the estate agent gets away with it.

No wonder this industry has a bad reputation.

There was clear evidence I had been lied to and as a result was out of pocket. Four people told me this evidence existed - even a case advisory at the ombudsman’s office. Took the ombudsman took 6 months to say… this didn’t exist. Very strange… very huge waste of time and energy. Don’t bother go to the small claims court !

Bunch of liers. I am re posting my review on here after it has clearly been removed! I was told they had received me paperwork and email and telephone confirmation of this. They stick up for their customers and are not and not an independent service. Just take the terrible estate agents to small claims court do t waste your time with the bunch of amitures!

Waste of time. TPO don't have the power to meaningfully compensate losses, and did a poor job of assessing my complaint. I won't bore you with the details but my agents had already admitted fault for collapsing 2 sales but the compensation they offered didn't touch the sides of my losses for legal fees and other costs. Went to the TPO and they awarded only £350.

Poor. Very poor. And before they say "we have never heard of you" , or, " your email does not match our records". Don't bother. You are supposed to have backbone and be impartial to uphold the trade. You can't even do that. Telling me, " the case is closed", without even the correct finalisation of having to hand sign the part 1 (acceptance of decision) and bottling it. In fact, one should sue as you shouldn't be able to close the case without signature. As a landlord, we are being kicked left right and center. So for TPO to be impartial, is something everyone needs. Never forget that TPO. Oh, and it took 5 months. Looking at reviews, I can see why they have low ratings.

Pathetic

I would save yourselves the hassle. This Ombudsman wouldn't know fairness if it jumped up and hit them in the face which is quite a lovely image given the absolutely shocking way it has treated me (the victim). It has taken forever for someone to be assigned and the 'senior evaluation adviser' is immediately showing bias towards the rogue agent and is showing absolutely no respect or regard - despite the clear breaches of property law and regulations. I won't bother again - I will go straight to court.

Could be a lot better with offering advice consistency and really following through the regulations against the letting agents. Every landlords and tenants here have followed every single advice given by TPOS and they’re received nothing and the agents will always win on this. This is a one sided experience. The landlords and tenants experienced the TPOS are too slow to react and trying to end the complicated case with no patience and empathy from the tenants and landlords’ enquiry. The agents will always do whatever they want and are getting away with not dealing with the complaints and twisting the words they’re doing nothing wrong. All landlords and tenants are the ones who are having to suffer from the unnecessary abuse from the agents and their awful services. All they want is their documents, rent arrears paid off and stress free hassle in the fairest way.