One of the three redress schemes, authorised by the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government), is claiming that they are in effect being scrutinised by local councils as to which letting lettings/management agents have registered with them.

The three consumer redress schemes are run by The Property Ombudsman, Ombudsman Services Property and The Property Redress Schemes. Membership will mean that under the legislation for lettings/management agents that they must have joined one of the schemes by October 1st this year -2014. This allows any member of the public who is renting through an agent, are able to take advantage of the free complaints process that the scheme offers. 

The government has released further "helpful" leadership on who exactly within the sector has the legal requirements to sign up to one of the redress schemes. 

Since October 1st, the redress scheme is reporting that councils have contacted them to check which agents have signed up to them within their area. They include, Newham, Norfolk and Staffordshire Councils.

Both Hartlepool and Plymouth City councils have already sent out a warning to the agents that they are obliged to register under the new legislation.

Those agents that should have signed up can expect to receive of fines of as much as £5,00 from the local authority Trading Standards offices  and with persistent non-compliance could even be shut down.