Police have been called in after an agent has suddenly ceased trading.
The agent was a franchisee of Enfields, operating in Northampton.
Callers to Enfields’ head office are told via a recorded message that if they are inquiring about the closure, they should contact a local branch of Your Move for help.
Northamptonshire Trading Standards referred EYE’s inquiry to police, who told us: “We can confirm that Northamptonshire Police has received a report of an alleged theft from a Northampton estate agents and an investigation is ongoing.”
Enfields, which currently lists nine branches plus a head office in Fareham, Hampshire, on its website, with no mention of the Northampton branch, itself closed the office down.
The company said it became aware of alleged “serious financial irregulaties” and after an inquiry reported the matter to police.
Colin Wilton-Smith, director of Enfields, told the local paper: “As soon as we were sure there was a problem, we informed the police and trading standards.
“The Northampton branch was not run by us but we are now sorting out the mess left behind.
“We have engaged a local estate agent [Your Move] to help any landlords and tenants who need assistance but people can contact us if they wish.”
A letter sent out by Enfields head office to landlords said it had terminated the franchise and apologised for any inconvenience and distress caused.
One landlord who received the letter told EYE that the letter raised concerns, allegedly about missing money.
Comments (15)
You take the money you have some level of responsibility even if it is only having the name discredited. The reason for operating under a banner name is so the public are fooled into believing they are with a large and respected company – that is why the money is paid. When the stuff hits the fan you can’t just say “nothing to do with us”
There is a problem when you franchise – you’re only as bad as your worst franchisee – And not matter how much you may try to distance yourself when the poo hits the fan, the name is the brand and the whole franchise business gets tarnished.
We saw this as our biggest risk and therefore handle all of the money centrally. A landlords biggest concern is the agent doing a runner with their money.
So long as the agent is ARLA/NALS/SAFE Agent registered (belt and braces, we’ve got all 3) with Money Protection Insurance in place, the landlord will be covered.
Mr Ackroyd. I’ve read a lot from you. I’ve disagreed with a bl00dy big chunk of it. In fact, we still don’t see eye to eye on a lot of matters… but then I’m quite a bit taller than your average sheep, and I rarely bend down – so that’s understandable I guess.
BUT… give you credit where it’s due… you rarely now run away from debate; you have taken on board what has been chucked at you and actually done something to effect change where necessary; and you’re starting to talk more like an Estate Agent and less like a corporate lawyer with a large chip on each shoulder and one mahoosive one where the sun can’t get to it. ;o)
I look forward to the day when we can actually get along famously; a day when you don’t have to wildly stab away (wrongly) at who I am – a day when we call a truce and I give you credit for a job well done.
But unfortunately today’s not that day – as I disagree quite strongly with the above statement. Here’s why.
First paragraph. Never mind you cannot “distance yourself” from fast-flying merde de mouton which has been ejected from the electrically-powered air oscillation device when it is your name above the virtual shop doorway – you should neither want to nor need to.
Second paragraph. First sentence – that’s all fine, dandy and champion as long as the central hub is kosher (which I quickly add have no doubt it is…). Second sentence – actually I would say that a Landlord’s biggest concern is that the property is Let as quickly as possible to the best tenant candidate possible by the best Agent possible to avoid both void periods and nightmare situations – INCLUDING Agent dishonesty.
Third paragraph – to say that as long as a couple of Memberships to Associations no-one knows much at all about are displayed on the Agents’ website/card/shop window, and that they take out an insurance miraculously renders the client “covered” is a very loose reassurance and frankly not what we should be saying.
I appreciate that you are in part defending the franchise element of the business, Mr Ackroyd, and I more than appreciate the fact that you have not made this a brazen advert for your company which you could well have done (others would…) – but I would respectfully suggest that this needs to be brought down to the human level and not simply treated in a ‘beans on shelves’ manner which, in my opinion, you have edged slightly towards.
Thew, reading that shortened summer 🙂
There is no mention of my company – and that’s an advert?
“There is no mention of my company – and that’s an advert?”
Mr Ackroyd – I would have expected a Lawyer to R.E.A.D. the evidence in front of them before making statements based upon hearsay, supposition, or opinion.
The ACTUAL PHRASE you need to refer to – and I have emboldened the relevant section for further emphasis as to the actuality of the issue – is as follows:
“…and I more than appreciate the fact that you have not made this a brazen advert for your company which you could well have done (others would…)…”
Hope that is of assistance.
Sorry Glenn strongly disagree with the last sentence – the biggest Cowboys in my area have bought themselves those expensive window stickers
I’m not going to repeat my whole post here – but I will simply reiterate that people with an uncontrollable need to chuck stones should think twice about doing so whilst being inside or next to a glass house.
I’m sure you will agree.
I agree that a sticker in a window does not mean that they won’t go bust – but the ones that are genuinely registered – and you can check membership online – have money protection insurance.
So the crooked agents may run off with their money, but at least the landlord’s (who are always the losers), will be covered by the Client Money Protection insurance.
And whilst there are agents with stickers that have gone bust, there are many more agents without stickers that have gone bust. Best to have one with a sticker and insurance so that you don’t lose out.
He was having a pop at AM; referring to the OTM stickers Glenn.
Actually, Robert, no he wasn’t. Take a look at his comment on the ‘Henry Pryor’ story – all becomes clear.
Apologies for the confusion. My point was that companies who buy membership of these associations do not necessarily provide good customer service, provide good value for money, understand or abide by the 700+ laws that govern what we do or have a well run business. When people spout on about the virtues of buying these memberships I have to remind them they mean nothing and some of the biggest Cowboys in my area have bought themselves these stickers and I can back the statement with evidence.
Please name the biggest cowboy in your area and what makes them the biggest cowboy. If you have evidence of wrong doing pass it to Ros who in her own way will provide advice on how to deal with the matter.
As a landlord I would not trust any agent to hold a deposit. It is the only way to be fire proofed on deposits.
Enfields?….. get your act together in terms of Customer Service for affected clients instead of reaching for the handwash!
“…..branch was not run by us but we are now sorting out the mess left behind.
“We have engaged a local estate agent [Your Move] to help any landlords and tenants who need assistance but people can contact us if they wish.”
Sorting it out by passing the problems in the direction of Your Move?….. get in that office and get a grip!…. or is it just the easy stuff you deal with?
“The Northampton branch was not run by us , we simply let someone use our name in return for money and now that it hasn’t worked out and we didn’t check up on the books regularly , it’s not our fault “