Complaint against managing agents

[alan]

Does anyone know please if there is a professional body or other organisation which deals with complaints against French estate agents who manage property which has been let. The complaint is by a landlord and relates to failure to reply to correspondence, account for rent and deal with problems on the outgoing of a tenant.

Also, does anyone know what happens to the deposit taken from the tenant by the agent if the landlord wishes to make deductions. In the UK there are very strict requirements concerning deposits and dealing with disputes.

Here is also a helpline for landlords and tenants, who might be able to put you on the right track

Best of luck

[Kate]

Here's a chunk from a past P-O Life on Consumer rights. Don't know how useful it will be in your case, but at least it gives the details of the Maison d’Accès au Droit’ in Perpignan who might be able to advise.

It’s never pleasant to make a complaint in any language, but when you are trying to put your point forward with a limited vocabulary and knowledge of your rights, it is particularly frustrating. In this section, we will give you some basic vocab and tips for standing up for your consumer rights.

Most problems encountered can be resolved amicably and free of charge. Legal action in France is time consuming and expensive and ’no win, no fee’’ lawyers are few and far between. It is always worth complaining first to the supplier, manufacturer or distributor of the product or the service provider concerned, and only considering legal action when all other doors have closed.


Steps to take before considering legal action

Write to (or visit) your local consumer association who can inform you about your rights, and assist you in settling your dispute with a trader or service provider. (‘Maison d’Accès au Droit’ in Perpignan (1 place Joseph Deloncle, 66000 Perpignan) open from Monday – Friday 8h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 17h00 Tel : 04 68 66 34 56 accueil_mad@yahoo.fr) They will help and advise you, and where necessary pass your case on to the relevant parties who will try to find a solution. The service is free and confidential.

4. Download a European consumer complaint form (formulaire européen de réclamation pour le consommateur) from http://ec.europa.eu/consumers This form, in 11 languages, has been designed to guide consumers in formulating their claims via a multiple-choice lists of responses. Use it instead of a letter of complaint, always bearing in mind that it could be used in evidence if the case comes to court.

5 Your final step before taking actual legal action is the legal conciliator (conciliateur de justice), a volunteer appointed by the court of appeal judge try to settle disputes between consumer and trader out of court. (Contact details available in town halls or the magistrates’ court (tribunal d’instance) in your area).

It might also be worth taking a look at the Notaires de France website.(http://www.notaires.fr/notaires/louer) which gives quite a good, simple explanation of the rules and regulations of various aspects of French law.