A letting agent expelled by the Property Ombudsman after failing to repay deposits said he had faced a “nightmare” with tax bills.
Andrew Whitehead, 42, ran two Southampton agencies, Property Vibe, and The Flat Agency & Michael Browns.
Both have been expelled.
According to a report in the local paper, Whitehead is director of seven dissolved property companies with two in liquidation.
Whitehead told the paper: “As the director of the agency I apologise profusely for what has happened and for the distress caused to people.
“We have been operating since 2004, and although [we] changed company names a few times [it] has been the same business, once employing a number of staff.
“Over the past few years the business has begun to deteriorate and everything has been done to try and keep trading and trade through the issues.
“We have downsized offices and staff many times to cut costs but it just hasn’t stopped the decline.
“We as a business have many landlords as well, where we offer a tenant find service, and have been very satisfied with the service over a number of years.
“I am devastated to get to this point and never wanted to upset anybody at all, but understand now as the final director of the various businesses, responsibility falls on my shoulders.”
Whitehead denied winding up companies and starting new ones to avoid debts.
More here
Does he deny having the same properties listed 12 times?
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A classic example of the definition of madness. Repeatedly doing exactly the same thing and expecting a different outcome.
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7 dissolved property companies and 2 in liquidation. Perhaps local agents should gently suggest to prospective clients to check on one of the free company searches the history of people/companies that hold themselves out as reputable agents.
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As a business owner myself I sympathise with the bit about nightmare tax bills and the costs associated with running a business.
That doesn’t justify taking other people’s money to make ends meet.
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