Letting Firm Probe Follows Student Complaints
A student landlord who charged a tenant £290 for cleaning two flies from a windowsill is under investigation by a landlord consumer body after a number of complaints.
Campbell Property, based in Pewsey, Wiltshire, has removed accreditation from the UK Association of Letting Agents from its website pending an inquiry.
The firm specialises in letting to students in Cardiff, Birmingham, Exeter and Portsmouth.
Instead of the UKALA logo, the website says: “Please note that the UKALA logo has been removed from this website pending our renewal application which was submitted to UKALA on 5th October and is currently being processed. Campbell Property has been a member of UKALA since 2007.”
UKALA confirmed other disgruntled tenants had complained about Campbell Property.
A UKALA spokesman told the Birmingham Sunday Mercury newspaper: “They are members but their membership is under review. We have complaints about Campbell Property and we’re looking into them.”
One student, Katie Evans, 20, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, claims she left a property let to her in Edgbaston, Birmingham, by Campbell Property ‘spotless’ when she moved out – and then received a bill for cleaning together with a photo of the two dead flies as evidence of the cost.
She has also complained to the Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme, which is also considering a separate complaint against Campbell Property. MLAS declined to comment about cases under investigation.
Property company director Victoria Campbell told the Mercury: “Campbell Property offered Miss Evans the opportunity to request a supervised clean.
“Miss Evans declined the offer and did not complete the cleaning required before she vacated the property and has subsequently been charged, at the rates that she accepted at the commencement of her tenancy, for external contractors to complete the work.”
Landlords can deduct cleaning costs from deposits handed over by tenants – or bill them for the work if there is no deposit.
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
Buy to Let Lenders Boast Booming Borrowing FiguresNext Article
Landlord Forced Tenants to Share Cramped Rooms
10:33 PM, 7th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Hi Mark, i don’t understand why as i have read your comments and can’t say you are siding with them at all? they don’t usually block anyone? there have been times when someone has removed comments but i think that is down to the moderator of the page? it’s a bit confusing?? 🙁
10:38 PM, 7th December 2011, About 14 years ago
http://www.newstudent.co.uk/two-sides-to-every-story-what-to-do-when-your-name-is-dragged-through-the-mud/
10:39 PM, 7th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Please view the above story!! there are some very controversial comments on the page! Some of which i find quite ridiculous!
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12212 - Articles: 1408
11:07 PM, 7th December 2011, About 14 years ago
** BREAKING NEWS **
I checked the MLAS yesterday to see whether Campbell’s were in fact members.
On checking again this evening it would appear that their membership has been suspended.
See http://www.mlas-online.co.uk/accredited-agents.htm
I have emailed Victioria Campbell asking her to leave a statement here.
Member Since April 2012 - Comments: 81 - Articles: 2
11:15 PM, 7th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Thanks fay – never mind 🙂
11:17 PM, 7th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Please note that the UKALA logo has been removed from this website pending our renewal application which was submitted to UKALA on 5th October and is currently being processed. Campbell Property has been a member of UKALA since 2007
Can anyone confirm that the UKALA and MLAS are two separate organisations?
11:25 PM, 7th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Hi mark i have also contacted the NLA for a comment of whether or not they are recommending Campbell as having “good landlord” skills as they are promoting them also on their website??
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12212 - Articles: 1408
1:37 PM, 9th December 2011, About 14 years ago
** FURTHER UPDATE **
A balancing article has been posted here >>> https://www.property118.com/index.php/letting-agent-ripped-apart-by-social-media/21893/
I also see that Campbells suspension has now been removed from the MLAS website.
2:31 PM, 9th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Hi Mark i did just write a comment in reply but it didn’t even say awaiting approval? not sure if i am able to post?
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12212 - Articles: 1408
2:34 PM, 9th December 2011, About 14 years ago
Hello Fay. No you are definitely not block as you can see. This is the only comment we have received from you today. By all means re-post.