I had been with the estate agent since 2004. In 2007 when many companies were having business and financial difficulties the rent would be paid weeks late. In fact I would not receive the rent without having requested it many times. I was always told "it is going in your bank account today, and it never did". I was living abroad at the time. Finally I looked for a new estate agent. Scotts kept the last months rent amounting to £550 for themselves. I had never heard of an Ombudsman until a friend advised me. So I reported Scotts and I was awarded £834 by the Ombudsman. However, Scotts refused to pay and still do. I live abroad and would have to come over and take them to a small claims court which I still have time to do as I spoke to the Ombudsman office recently. My advice is only choose an estate agent who give you information about the Ombudsman scheme when they explain how they run their business. Then you know they will honestly manage your property.