Thanks - did you also know that there are actually 3 different Ombudsman services for Property? This is something else that makes me feel very strongly that they are far from "fair and unbiased". If they find too many cases against their members who pay their salaries, then the members can chose another Ombudsman. I am also unable to pm or post links, but I will try to update on here when any further developments occur.

Thank you - I believe you were very lucky in being allocated a case worker with the experience and knowledge required. I will certainly look into this when I know the final, final outcome from the Ombudsman. My case is particularly complicated unfortunately. I have had advice from a Solicitor and to appoint him to deal with my case would not be a viable option. The small claims process currently has a limit of £10,000 which would be suitable for my case.

Hi - I had the same reply as this to my initial decision and appeal. I think it is actually on this thread that I picked up the fact that there is a further process. Interestingly Ombudsman Service (Property) make you think you cannot take things further as they say you cannot appeal against the Ombudsman decision. (and we think we are dealing with the Ombudsman!). It seems to me that you can appeal against the decision made by an investigation officer, or investigation manager! They just don't want to make this known at all for obvious reasons. The whole process is shambolic. I came across information somewhere that indicated only something in the region of 10% of cases actually come to the attention of "The Ombudsman". I have now spent over a year on this process. Was your decision made by "an investigation officer"? The final decision only becomes final once accepted. I didn't accept, so the process still goes on.

Thanks for the reply. Most interesting. Can you tell me if you decided to go to court after the initial decision by the Ombudsman, or did you appeal their decision? I have appealed once - following a decision by an investigation officer, the appeal was reviewed by an investigation manager - and now I am appealing for the case to be reviewed by The Ombudsman. I have found out from my own enquiries that this appeal process is possible, although it is not detailed on their website at all. The whole process just seems to me - exactly as you say - a buffer (to make the public believe they are dealing with "a fair, unbiased professional") to keep cases out of court. It seems very much that they offer a derisory figure in the hope that you will just give up and go away. As my case is still ongoing I am unable to post specific details on here - however I am considering the small claims process if the Ombudsman appeal does not have a satisfactory outcome. I would like to hear further about the assistance you were provided by the CAB and if there is any contact you could suggest within that organisation who may be able to assist me? Many thanks.

I am having a nightmare with the Ombudsman Service - Property following a complaint against an estate agent which has not been investigated in a fair an unbiased manner. I am desperately trying to establish what my rights are with a view to taking matters further following the investigating officer's final decision. I came across an old thread in this forum (linked below) and was hoping to be able to contact some of the members who had posted in this thread. I am particularly interested in the comments in post 29. Any help or guidance will be appreciated! (As a new member I am unable to post a link to the old thread) It was titled Complaint about Ombudsman Services Property and was started in 2012) Default Re: Complaint against Ombudsman Services Property Quote Originally Posted by Alirus View Post We're going through a similar nightmare with the Ombudsmanicon Services Property and would love to know how you managed to get the lead ombudsman involved as there is no way we will get anywhere if the case is reviewed by the same officer who is clearly biased in favour of the firm. It's very difficult - at the moment, it's a three stage process. Each time they issue a provisional decision, you can accept or reject. If you accept, it becomes the Final Decision. If you reject you have to provide new evidence or show that they made some kind of error in the decision making process. If this works, your complaint gets bumped up a level. You start with an Investigation Officier, then it goes to Investigtion Manager, then up to Ombudsman him/herself. If you get as far as the Ombudsman, when they write, it's the Final Decision regardless. You accept or reject. If you accept, it becomes binding on both parties. If you reject, you get nothing but you can pursue other methods of complaint (court proceedings etc). I can't find anywhere on their website where this process is detailed and it's not made clear from the outset that this it works, so I can't refer you to anything 'official' to show this is how it works, but that's our experience. Our case was reviewed by the Ombudsman in the end, but it took a very very long time. You just have to stick with it and keep writing the letters. Brace yourself for a long battle. In the meantime, please contact Steve G (ombudsmans61percent) who has already posted on this thread - he's trying to get everyone to work together to highlight the practices of this terrible unfair process.

Can anyone message me please or reply on this thread - I would like to find out how to make contact with Theombudsmans61percent or thin-lizzie Thank you.

I'd be grateful to hear from anyone regarding their experiences of taking further action (of any sort) after the Investigating officer has issued his "final decision". I am really interested in post 29, which indicates that further investigation is possible after the "final decision". I would also love to hear from anyone who has taken action through the courts.