Complaints from landlords and tenants against their letting agents increased 28.6% during the first four months of 2013 as the number of complaints surged from 279 to 391 when compared to the same period in 2012 according to the Property Ombudsman (TPO).

The TPO reviewed more cases in comparison to the same time last year – 296 against 208, while 381 were closed against 195 in 2012. However, the number of letting agents arguing the decisions has increased – up from 50 in 2012 to 121 in 2013.

Christopher Hamer, the TPO, warned letting agents to expect more legal action from the Office of Fair Trading and local trading standards offices over consumer protection rules.

Harmer said: “I hope agents are now aware of the importance of developing their businesses to take into account the obligations they face under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

“In simple terms, mean full disclosure at the earliest opportunity of all that an agent knows about a property, all that they should reasonably be expected to know and what they become aware of during the marketing of the property; and which will affect the average consumer’s transactional decision.”