Client Account
- This is actually a client-bank-account held in trust by agents on behalf of clients.
- It is the account into which all clients money is placed and ring-fenced and
- Should not be used to prop up the cash flow of ailing businesses during lean times.
- In the event an agent goes bust the tenants and landlord client can quickly receive the return of their money from this secure account.
- This should include any student or tenant's:
- deposit or
- retention for maintenance as well as
- rent payable to a landlord client.
- When funds clear, money should quickly be forwarded to recipients when due.
- The balance of a client account should never fall below the total amount owned by, or owed to, all the clients.
- The agent is in a unique position of trust.
- To betray this trust by utilising the funds for other than the purpose promised is not merely theft but the more serious deceptive act of fraud. This is a criminal offence carrying a potential custodial sentence.
- Ironically such accommodation is rent free, but not recommended!
Published: 5 November 2013 Last Updated: 17 November 2021