I recently read of a horrific case of fraud in the world of lettings. Martin Marcus has been jailed for four and a half years after admitting five cases of fraud at Harrow Crown Court.

Barnet Council Trading Standards carried out a four year investigation into Marcus’ actions and found that he scammed tenants and landlords alike out of some £220,000 in rents and deposits.

Music teacher Hannah Casey was one of his victims. She and a friend agreed to rent two rooms in a flat and paid Marcus £800 as a deposit, together with a £150 administration fee. When they visited the flat to meet their new flatmates, they were refused admittance.

They were told that there were already two couples living in one of the rooms who had also been scammed. When they went to Marcus’ office to complain they found it shut with a bailiff’s notice in the window.

Doreen Wright was a landlord and also lost money to Marcus. He undertook to find a corporate client to rent a property but let it to a young couple instead. She never received the three months rental deposit.

The lesson I take from all this is to always use a responsible letting agent.

If you are a landlord considering letting a property or a tenant looking for a new home why not give me, Eddie Carter, a call on 01684 292154 to discuss your requirements. Alternatively take a look around our website. We specialise in the Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Evesham, Gloucester, Malvern and Worcester areas.

Charles Carter Lettings
Independent – Specialist – Local