The Property Ombudsman has expelled Musgrove & Co, Tothill Residential Surveying Ltd and Coles Property Management from its redress scheme for failing to settle compensation awards made to consumers.
The unpaid awards total more than £1,000, according to Property Wire's report on the expulsions. The available information does not specify how the outstanding compensation was divided among the three businesses.
Membership of an approved redress scheme is a core consumer-protection requirement for many UK property businesses. An expulsion can carry operational and reputational consequences, particularly for firms whose activities require access to a recognised complaints and compensation framework.
For buyers, tenants, landlords and clients using property professionals, the action underlines the value of checking a firm's redress-scheme status before instructing it. Developers, agents and property managers also face heightened scrutiny over complaint handling and compliance with awards once decisions are issued.
