Estate agents guilty of parking fraud
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Six estate agents have pleaded guilty to fraudulently using flats they were selling to apply for parking permits.
The employees at Greene and Co’s branch in Maida Vale, West London, have been fined between £500 and £1,670 each and ordered to pay costs.
They admitted using the flats they were selling to fraudulently apply for residents’ parking permits, which allowed them to escape pay-and-display costs while they showed people around.
Westminster Council estimates the scam saved the estate agency around £10,000 a year.
Lee Rowley, cabinet member for parking and transportation at Westminster’s Council, says: “The actions of these particular estate agents were an absolute disgrace.
“They were not only committing fraud but were also looking to profit at the taxpayer’s expense.
“We are very clear that if you try to rip off Westminster’s taxpayers you will get caught. And when you are caught, we will do all we can to ensure that the court throws the book at you.”
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Readers' comments (2)
Sammy | 17 Aug 2011 10:13 am
Too right they should be treated like criminals BUT these small fines hardly amount to throwing the book at anybody. They are still on a winner.
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Anonymous | 17 Aug 2011 10:24 pm
I am not amused. My estate agent said if I used "their lawyer" it was same as seller and would keep seller happyand make life easier for both parties. they said Fee 735 for 330000 purchase and could they take 100 on credit card NOW. I paid the 100 but discovered from lawyer that of the 735 , 535 went to agent as intro fee and they got 200. i am no longer proceeding with the agent or with purchase.
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