One major sanction imposed after more than 270 complaints against property agents
However, only one of 274 complaints concluded had resulted in a major sanction, according to the
Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA)
.
The statutory body responsible for licensing and regulating property services in the State published its annual report on Monday.
A complaint in 2023 relating to a property agent misappropriating client funds led to a major sanction prohibiting the agent from applying for a new licence for six months.
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Sixty per cent of the 274 complaints lodged last year were concluded without the need to appoint a PSRA investigator after an initial assessment; 6.5 per cent were ultimately withdrawn; and 4.3 per cent remained under review at the end of 2024.
Of 68 complaints requiring investigation, 55 instances of improper conduct were found, while 12 showed no improper conduct.
Eighteen cases held up 'a combination of breaches'.
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Agent who allegedly let out 17 overcrowded properties to migrants disputes claims against him
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Most complaints related to a client being dissatisfied with the service the property agent provided. Others included bidding issues, the retention of money by a property service provider, and ethical conduct.
The 2024 figures represent a slight drop in the number of complaints filed in the year previous (281), which itself was an increase on 2022's figure of 205 complaints.
The PSRA also conducted 406 anti-money laundering audits last year, in which 89 per cent of businesses were found to be compliant. Areas of noncompliance were identified in 45 businesses, most often for failure to conduct adequate business and client risk assessments and customer due diligence.
PSRA chairman Michael Quinlan said the authority maintains 'an ongoing commitment and proactive approach to the safeguarding of consumer protection and to maintaining oversight and professionalism in the property services sector'.
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Irish Times
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- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, August 4th: On a dangerous time to be a woman, landlords and rent, and President Trump's favour
Sir, – Three times over the past week I have watched news reports on women survivors of physical, sexual, emotional and psychological violence perpetrated by trusted males, some of them close family members. I heard sisters Paula Fay and Catherine Wrightstone describe the lifelong sentence of emotional pain, broken trust, and struggle to reclaim self-worth that their brother inflicted upon them. I heard Niamh Herbert talk about the feeling of giving a piece of herself away on every step of her path to justice. I heard Nikita Hand say that the legal case has retraumatised her over and over again. And I listened as each one of these brave women encouraged others who have experienced similar abuse to speak out, reminding them that they have strength within, that their voice matters and that justice can eventually prevail. READ MORE All this, as the horrific news about the killing of Vanessa Whyte and her two children unfolded over the week. At what stage do we call a halt to the head-shaking, the hand-wringing, the repeated expressions of shock and bewilderment and acknowledge the fact that Ireland is not a safe place to be female? Why are we not collectively howling from the rafters at the violence, the depravity, the pervasive level of threat that is endemic in our society today? How many more women must be traumatised, brutalised or even die, how many more candlelit vigils take place before we take educational and legislative steps to ensure that this stops now? To position ourselves in the world as a liberal democratic state, and to uphold the values of such, presumes a basic equity among citizens. Have we fallen at this first step? – Yours, etc, CAROLANNE HENRY, Churchtown, Dublin 14. Landlords and rental income Sir, – If the article written by Dr Lorcan Sirr was an essay for one of his own economic courses with the title 'What do landlords actually earn?' I think he'd get a D at best. 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Sir, – The Department of Finance feels that up to 70,000 fewer jobs will be created over the next five years as a result of the US tariffs as these tariffs will result in a reduction of economic activity of roughly 1.5 per cent (' US tariffs will mean 70,000 fewer jobs created in Irish economy, Department of Finance warns ,' August 1st). However, we have been informed that our economy is operating at full employment (full employment equates with 4 per cent unemployment), our population has increased by 20 per cent over the past five years resulting in an acute shortage of housing, huge waiting lists for medical treatment, a shortage of school places and lastly our infrastructure is incapable of catering for our expanding population. So perhaps Trump has come to our rescue after all? – Yours, etc, JO TRESTON, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Sir, – The report that Department of Finance officials warned that up to 70,000 fewer jobs will be created in the next five years due to US tariffs should not be a cause for concern. The solution can be found by copying the action of president Trump last Friday when the Bureau of Labour Statistics revealed higher unemployment numbers. He simply sacked the commissioner, to be replaced by someone who will alter the figures in his favour! – Yours, etc, GERARD CLARKE, Dundrum, Dublin. Policing the traffic and gardaí Sir, – Regarding 'S ome frontline gardaí expressed lack of interest in doing their jobs, review finds ,' (August, 1st). Yesterday, I was almost knocked to the ground by a passing scooter on the pedestrianised South King Street, close to Grafton Street. I then noticed the scooter turning left down Grafton Street. As I approached the top of Grafton Street, I noticed two gardaí on duty, observing the throngs of people down along Grafton Street. 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Irish Times
7 hours ago
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Garda injured while arresting sword-wielding suspect
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