Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.

Letting Agent Accused of Withholding Rent Falsely Claims Propertymark Membership

A lettings agent has been accused of not returning tenancy deposits and failing to pass on rent to landlords, while also allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Propertymark member. The agent, Tony Singh of Morgan, Payne & Knightly, was exposed in a BBC News report, which stated that more than 100 tenants are owed rent.

The BBC report also revealed that landlords have claimed to be owed rent by Singh, whose agency operates branches in Birmingham, Telford, and Wolverhampton. Singh, whose full name is Amun Singh Judge, has been reported to Trading Standards.

The Negotiator found that Singh’s LinkedIn profile uses the initials MNAEA, which would suggest membership of the National Association of Estate Agents (Propertymark). However, a spokesperson for Propertymark confirmed to The Negotiator that Singh is not a member and should not be using the initials on his social media or elsewhere.

Companies House records show that Morgan, Payne & Knightly’s accounts are due at the end of 2025, and there is an active strike-off proposal against the business. Companies House has been asked for comment on the matter.

Attempts to contact Morgan, Payne & Knightly have been unsuccessful, with calls going straight to voicemail and no response to emails sent to Singh.

This case highlights the importance for letting agents and inventory clerks to ensure accurate representation of professional memberships and compliance with industry standards.