The Property Ombudsman has expelled three property businesses from its redress scheme after they failed to pay compensation awards to consumers. The total amount of unpaid compensation is over £1,000.
The businesses affected are Musgrove & Co, Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd, and Coles Property Management. Their expulsion follows a review by the scheme’s independent Finance, Performance and Compliance Committee, which found them non-compliant with Ombudsman decisions.
Musgrove & Co, operating as Musco Property Limited, was ordered to pay £300 for issues including refusal to transfer a holding deposit and errors in a tenancy agreement. Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd was directed to pay £800 after a buyer did not receive a survey report for which they had paid. Coles Property Management, registered as C.P.M (NW) Limited, received a £100 award against it for delayed deposit transfers and rent payments, as well as communication failures.
Chief Ombudsman Lesley Horton stated that Ombudsman awards are mandatory and expulsion is a last resort. She added that the enforcement action aims to maintain consumer confidence in the redress scheme.