The panel members were Mr Richard Hair PPNAEA (Honoured) (member panellist acting as the Chairperson for the Tribunal), Miss Jacqueline Stone FNAEA (member panellist) and Mr Steven Shaw (lay panellist).
The presenting Case Officer for Propertymark was Miss Farrah Gibson. Mr Meakin and Miss Meakin were in attendance at the Hearing.
Allegations
The Tribunal considered the allegations set out in the case summary sent to Mr Meakin and Miss Meakin.
It was alleged that Mr Meakin and Miss Meakin had acted in contravention of the requirements of the following Propertymark Conduct and Membership Rules.
- Conduct Rule 1.3: Using a Client Accounting Service Provider (CASP)
- Conduct Rule 1.14: Payments out of a Client (Bank) Account
- Conduct Rule 13: General duty to uphold high standards of ethical and professional behaviour
- Conduct Rule 21: Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Decisions
Mr Meakin and Miss Meakin entered pleas admitting the alleged breaches.
- Conduct Rule 1.3: Admitted
- Conduct Rule 1.14: Admitted
- Conduct Rule 13: Admitted
- Conduct Rule 21: Admitted
Sanctions
- Conduct Rule 1.3, 1.14 and 13: £1,000 between the two defendants
- Conduct Rule 21: £100 each
In addition, the costs of this hearing of £369 were imposed against Mr Meakin and Miss Meakin in favour of Propertymark.
Closing Statement
The Tribunal made the following statement:
'Firstly, we thank both members for attending today because your input has been very helpful.
The breach of the Client accounting Service Provider rules potentially left a substantial number of landlords and tenants facing significant losses. The Tribunal recognise the responsible manner in which the members have ensured no detriment has been caused to their clients by the collapse of their Client Accounting Service Provider in this case.'
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