The Property Ombudsman has called for more control over the actions of residential lettings agents.

In his 2010 Annual Report Christopher Hamer recommended regulation of the private rented sector.

He has seen the number of lettings offices voluntarily covered by his scheme climb to almost 8,000 by the end of 2010 but is concerned that agents who do not sign up to and adhere by the standards in the TPO Code of Practice can continue to operate, potentially to customer detriment.

Hamer said: “Many agents conduct their business by following the TPO Code of Practice but there are still too many who are operating without that commitment to standards and without any external controls over what they do with client money.