A LETTING agency has been fined £5,000 for ignoring a request for information about a property it managed.

Hamlet Homes Properties Ltd received the maximum fine at Southend Magistrates Court after failing to provide the council’s private sector housing team with the required details about who owned and occupied the home.

The company was sent a Requisition for Information form, but failed to complete it within 14 days, even though it had been sent a reminder to do the form.

The form was asking for basic information about the property after the council team had received a complaint from the tenant.

However, the firm failed to attend court to provide a defence or enter a plea and was found guilty in its absence and fined £5,000, along with £465 in costs.

Councillor David Norman, executive councillor for housing, planning and regulatory services, said the form sought information about the property, who occupied it and its management, as well as the company’s interest in the land.

He added: “This legislation is in place to help and protect tenants, landlords and managing agents alike and I am amazed that an established company like this would ignore such a request.

“ The maximum fine that has been imposed sends out a strong message that an important legal request like this cannot just be ignored.”