Norfolk eHomes reportedly not paying rents or protecting deposits

Norfolk eHomes reportedly not paying rents or protecting deposits

11:35 AM, 18th June 2018, About 6 years ago 4

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The local Norfolk newspaper Eastern Daily Press (EDP) has reported on a story that landlords using the Swaffham letting agent eHomes have been left with rents unpaid to them and tenants’ deposits unprotected.

The Property Ombudsman has already ordered eHomes to pay one landlord £10,000 including £6,600 in unpaid rent.

eHomes only Director and shareholder, Victoria Steele, has allegedly ‘gone to ground’ not returning communications from concerned landlords. The EDP reported that her last estate agency also entered into liquidation not that long ago owing at least £100,000.

The EDP said: “Victoria Steele’s last estate agency firm Prestige Lettings and Management Ltd, which she owned with her husband, Fergus Steele, appointed liquidators in July 2015. When it went into liquidation it owed HMRC £50,000 and trade creditors more than £25,000. Employees were owed £7,750 and banks another £19,246.

“But the taxman later lodged a claim saying it was owed even more at £130,000.

“According to the firm’s latest statement of affairs in September 2017, it is unlikely creditors will get any money back as the firm had just £12,700 in assets. The company was bought for that sum by Mrs Steele’s new firm, eHomes, in July 2015.”

Norfolk County Council said Trading Standards were aware of complaints made against eHomes and confirmed they were making enquiries regarding any Trading Standards breaches.

To read the full article click here.

•Anyone with concerns about eHomes should contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

•Follow the latest from the EDP investigations unit on Facebook


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Comments

Rob Crawford

12:56 PM, 18th June 2018, About 6 years ago

I can tell that my own letting agent gets a little upset at times when I ask for updates such as evidence of referencing, deposit protection and the serving of information to tenants. Even if a rent payment to me is a little late, I will make an enquiry. It's not just about trust, it's about straying informed and "managing" your agent. They are after all, providing you with a service! Fail to do this and you could become a victim of illegal practice or an agent going into liquidation - leaving you to foot the bill! Read the article, it beggars belief that with all the legislation in place and ombudsman membership that this can still happen, even with a history of bankruptcy! Don't let that smile deceive you!!

Jay James

17:56 PM, 18th June 2018, About 6 years ago

This person seems to be a criminal of major proportions. elettings assets were £3455 at June 2016 with £27,200 of creditors. The Goodwill in the accounts is fictitious because aside from the £3455, the company has nothing wirth selling, its' latest accounts are overdue, it is under compulsory strike off and the only person with control has ran off leaving over £100k unpaid in a previous company. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09637376

Jay James

18:03 PM, 18th June 2018, About 6 years ago

Ehomes ltd not elettings

DALE ROBERTS

21:35 PM, 18th June 2018, About 6 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Rob Crawford at 18/06/2018 - 12:56
Until the property letting and property management industry in the UK is regulated this will continue to occur as it has so often in the past AND without recourse to lost funds owed to either landlord or tenant. There should be a UK regulatory body that all property agents should be accredited to once they have been vetted, and in addition strict regulations should apply to separate and protected trust accounts for all financial transactions over and above the obvious like Property Ombudsman and deposit protection schemes. If premiums to these organisations are not paid - the cover falls away anyway. This is an industry that attracts the corrupt because it is so easy to set up a company on any high street and begin trading. And the very lenient laws that permit fraudsters to continue as before after declaring themselves insolvent exacerbates the matter. There is always a repetitive history without accountability. Or accountability that is rare.

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