Local Authority victory for Tenants and Landlords

Three letting agents trading in Islington and surrounding areas under the name of Crestons have been convicted of carrying on business for a fraudulent purpose.

These convictions were sought by Islington Council and Trading Standards after it was found £105,000 worth of rent and deposits were either not sent on to landlords or not protected for tenants leaving a total of 19 victims.

The case was heard at the Blackfriars Crown Court and sentencing and confiscation orders will be confirmed in January.

An Islington council representative said: “This is a major victory for the council, on behalf of private tenants and landlords not just in Islington and London, but across the country sending the message loud and clear that rogue letting agencies cannot rip off their clients and get away with it.

“This business trading as Crestons, using various company names, alone would have dealt with a huge number of tenants in Islington and neighbouring boroughs and I am extremely proud of our Trading Standards team, who worked so hard gathering evidence and witness testimony to build a strong case and secure these convictions.

“Prosecutions like this are rare, but vital in the fight for better standards in the private housing market. We won’t stop here.”