It's simple! Simon keeps your cash

Feb 15 2009 The Judge

THIS is the man behind a letting agency that takes in thousands from tenants... then fails to pass it on.

Simon Rourke's online firm youLet rent properties on payment of a marketing fee plus a cut of each month's rent.

But readers leasing their flats cannot get the money they are due despite tenants paying up front.

Graeme and Katie Smith are owed at least £1650 after letting their flat in Glasgow's Trongate.

Emma Rae and boyfriend Thomas Houston are £2140 out of pocket for their property in Yoker.

Roddy McDonald is due £1300 on his Bridgeton flat.

Colin McKay is £3000 down for rent for his flat in Shawlands.

Trading Standards are well aware of youLet, a trading name of You Together Ltd. Customers had taken the firm, who have Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, to court.

Rourke resigned as a director of You Together Ltd lastMarch but when we contacted the Glasgow office last week he told us he was managing director. Colin, 31, signed up with youLet in September after he moved in with his girlfriend.

He paid a £195 fee and they had a tenant in days.

But medical sales rep Colin has only received the first month's rent.

He said: "I've been to my lawyer and the police. I can't change the locks as my tenant is paying rent.

"I'm taking them to court."

Graeme and Katie Smith moved to Borders town Darnick in August and have received three months' rent. They have run up £500 legal fees trying to get the other £1650.

Graeme, 30, who works for a pensions firm, said: "YouLet charged £35 to send me a letter saying I was abusive on the phone.

They had work done without giving me quotes. When I wanted to cancel they chargedme £129 then £35 to tell my tenant.

"They toldmy lawyer they could not respond to him due to theData Protection Act."

Aircraft engineer Emma, of Balloch, Alexandria, and Thomas are owed £2140 and have struggled to pay the mortgage since youLet took on their flat in September.

Emma, 27, said: "They have threatenedme andmy tenant with debt collectors and refuse to return my keys. My life has been a nightmare for months because of them."

Roddy, 41, of Clarkston, near Glasgow, is taking youLet to court to recoup £1300 run up since October.

He said: "It is making me ill."

I got on to Rourke and he claimed Emma was not his client.

He claimed the other three had breached their contracts and forgotten about repairs, management fees and other charges.

Rourke said: "They just can't pretend there are no deductions.

"Our solicitors and the police have been involved, and we are moving to take action against the individuals and protect tenants.

"Wewill try to resolve any issues but we're ending our association with these landlords as we can't condone this behaviour."

Sorry - it's my readers who cancelled the contracts. Just give them the money they are due.

Additional reporting by JANE BARRIE