Thorn Letting Services

EDM number 845 in 1993-94, proposed by Jeff Rooker on 14/03/1994.

That this House calls to the attention of all appropriate authorities the conduct of Thorn Letting Services operated by Mr James Poyner of 8 Austin Court, 64 Walsall Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, currently accredited as a property letting agent by Birmingham City Council; notes allegations that Mr Poyner has been cashing housing benefit giro cheques, due to the tenants for onward payment to the landlords, withholding sureties from tenants, charging both landlords and tenants ú70 for writing one letter and the same amount per hour for receiving telephone calls about his actions with their money, in one known instance charging the tenant ú23 for receiving a 20-minute phone call from the tenant and charging a landlord's account the sum of ú80 for responding to a letter from an elected member of Birmingham City Council making enquiries for the landlord; is concerned that Mr Poyner complains to tenants who do not obtain full housing benefit by writing them letters referring to their having proved themselves 'skilled in obtaining full rent benefit' in the past, and continues to charge the landlords commission on the basis of the full rent; calls upon all professional estate agents and landlords in Birmingham to report upon the actions of Thorn Letting Services where they appear to be abusing the housing benefit system; and believes there is abundant evidence that Thorn Letting Services should be removed from Birmingham City Council housing Department's accommodation agency list.

This motion has been signed by a total of 26 MPs.