OFT Report on Property Managers in Scotland does not go far enough: Rennie (Dumfries Liberal Democrats)

Dumfries Liberal Democrats <tom@therussells.org.uk>

OFT Report on Property Managers in Scotland does not go far enough: Rennie

February 24, 2009 4:46 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

A new OFT report on property managers in Scotland does not go far enough, according to Dunfermline and West Fife MP Willie Rennie.

Mr Rennie, who is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Land Maintenance, welcomed the release of the much awaited Market Study Report by the Office of Fair Trading.Willie Rennie MP

The OFT's key recommendation is to establish a consumer information scheme to assist home owners with the law and provide advice on land maintenance arrangements.

"Hundreds of constituents have approached me about chaotic and often unfair land maintenance issues on new housing estates," said Mr Rennie. "They are often distressed by the treatment they have received. Setting up a voluntary advice scheme is welcome but does not go nearly far enough."

"It is useful that this report confirms that the Title Condition (Scotland) Act 2003 does in fact allow property owners to switch land maintenance suppliers; but the take-up of judicial action to enforce this Act against land maintenance companies has been limited.

"I firmly believe that dispute resolutions on land maintenance issues need to be resolved in a way that does not demand referral to the above act or indeed legal action, and feel that the sector and consumers may be better served by empowering another body to resolve such disputes as legal action is excessively onerous on the consumer.

Notes:

The OFT report is a general study looking at the issue of Property Managers in Scotland however there is also a section in it which is relevant to the workings of the APPG - the main aim of the APPG is to look into the issue of Land Maintenance in more detail and to highlight any areas which it believes are of concern to consumers.

Download a copy of the OFT Market Study of Property Managers in Scotland from the OFT website - www.oft.gov.uk

Read Willie's blog at: http://whatoorwilliedidnext.blogspot.com