Factor at centre of Paisley dispute ‘struck off’

A factor at the centre of a long-running dispute with Inchinnan Court residents has been removed from the Register of Property Factors by the Scottish Government.

Apex Property Factor Limited was removed because the government no longer believed they were ‘fit and proper’ factors and the company had failed to comply with both the statutory Code regulating factors and an Enforcement Order.

Working with Renfrewshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Neil Bibby MSP had supported Inchinnan Court residents in their dispute with Kirkintilloch-based Apex. Residents had complained about a lack of maintenance, mischarging and an unwillingness on the part of Apex to accept they had been removed as their factor. He has welcomed the deregistration.

The Apex deregistration was raised in the Scottish Parliament today amid reports that a new company, Klean Kut, had replaced them without being recognised as a factor. Neil Bibby MSP has been clear that there can be no return of Apex to Paisley.

Neil Bibby MSP said: “Many Inchinnan Court residents will be relieved to hear that this firm have been struck off. Working with our local Citizen’s Advice office, I had taken up a range concerns about this firm with the Scottish Government, including concerns charging, poor maintenance and difficulties removing the factor. Residents were not just frustrated with the service they had been receiving but utterly appalled.

“Factoring disputes can be complex and often homeowners feel the system is weighted against them. That is why it is important that we have robust regulation to uphold standards.

“The Scottish Government would not take a decision like this lightly. However, there are times when action of this kind is necessary to protect the interests of homeowners and to maintain standards in the factoring sector.

“Apex have been struck off with good reason and I am absolutely clear that they and those behind them must not be allowed to return to factor in Paisley or anywhere else in any form.”