An agent has been fined for failing to ensure that repairs were carried out to two rental properties on his books.
Alexander James Cooper, of Mortimers Estate Agents, Milton Keynes, admitted two offences when he appeared before magistrates, of failing to comply with an Improvement Notice contrary to section 11 of the Housing Act 2004.
He pleaded guilty to two offences and was fined £1,000 for each offence and told to pay costs of £660.90.
Milton Keynes private sector housing manager, Jane Harrison, said: “This is the first time we have actually prosecuted an estate agent for failing to maintain a premises.
“Because they are the person taking the rent and effectively ‘in control’ of the property, they are liable to be prosecuted if they don’t ensure that required repairs are carried out.”
Did the owner instruct the agent to do the works or did owner say no to the works
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More information would be useful but I note that the agent “admitted two offences when he appeared before magistrates, of failing to comply with an Improvement Notice contrary to section 11 of the Housing Act 2004” which suggests that the agent ignored the Improvement Notice.
I would imagine that had the owner refused to carry out the repairs, the agent would have a) advised the council immediately and b) dis-instructed himself as agent.
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this could set a nasty precedent, hopefully there is far more to the story than we can glean here – can you run a follow up story giving the precise details? maybe then we could get an expert opinion on how to avoid it happening to us
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Thanks for the requests for more information. I am on the case!
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