If a letting agent does not display certain information in their office, on their website, or on any other third-party websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, On The Market or Facebook (this list is not exhaustive), Enfield Council can take enforcement action against them. We can also act if the agent charges prohibited tenant fees, or fails to join a redress scheme or a client money protection scheme.
Financial penalties
We can issue penalties under the following legislation:
- The Redress Schemes for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management Work (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc.) (England) Order 2014 – A penalty of up to £5,000 for not joining a redress scheme as a letting agent or property managing agent. For more information, view GOV.UK – Lettings Agents and Property Managers redress scheme guidance (PDF)
- The Consumer Rights Act 2015 – A penalty of up to £5,000 per breach for not displaying an agent’s fees, redress scheme membership, and client money protection (CMP) membership in their office, on their website, and on third-party websites. Landlord fees must include VAT. Permitted tenant fees must also be displayed.
- The Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc.) Regulations 2019:
- A penalty of up to £30,000 for not being a member of a client money protection scheme (regulation 3)
- A penalty of up to £5,000 for not publishing a copy of the agent’s CMP certificate in their office, on their website, or providing it upon request. The 3 deposit schemes are not client money protection schemes. Currently, there is no requirement to publish a CMP certificate on third-party websites, only on the agent’s own website. For more information, visit GOV.UK – Protecting clients' money if you're a property agent
- The Tenant Fees Act 2019 – A penalty of up to £5,000 for the first breach of charging prohibited tenant fees. For a second breach, the penalty can be up to £30,000 or prosecution. For more information, visit GOV.UK – Tenant Fees Act 2019: guidance
We follow the London Trading Standards Model London Lettings Enforcement (PDF) when deciding on penalties for letting agents in the borough.
London Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker
Details about prosecutions and financial penalties are recorded in the London Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker.