There was a significant increase in the number of disputes under the Property Redress Scheme last year, according to the organisation’s newly released annual report for the year 2018.

The report reveals that there was a 103% rise in final decisions and an 82% rise in proposed decisions issued by the PRS in 2018 compared to 2017.

The total compensation awarded to consumers by the PRS was almost £300,000 with average award £1,102.83, the data shows.

Membership of the PRS has continued to grow at a rapid rate with a further 37% increase in members in 2018. The current membership of the PRS is now close to 11,000 letting agent offices.

The report details an increase in types of complaints such as fees and charges, general communication, poor service and complaint handling, as well as rent collection as part of the wider increase in disputes received.

Sean Hooker, head of redress at Property Redress Scheme, said: “2018 was a fundamental year for the Property Redress Scheme, and this was mirrored in the wider sector, as further developments in the Government’s “project” to reform the housing market started to take shape.”