THE Merseyside and Wirral Property Landlord Action Group is repeating its call for the mandatory licensing of letting agents.

Last week, a report by the Property Ombudsman said almost four people every hour were complaining about problems with letting agents.

The Ombudsman received around 129 calls a week about letting agents during the three months to the end of September, well up on the 77 inquiries received each week during the same period of 2008.

Overall, 1,679 people contacted the service after having problems with a letting agent during the period.

This is the highest level since letting agents were first able to join the scheme in June, 2006.

The Merseyside action group says the matter now needs to be addressed by the Government as a “matter of urgency”.

Action group secretary Richard Globe said: “Any forthcoming legislation, hopefully in place before next June’s general election, should also include those letting agents who are already members of a recognised professional business or trade association.

“Those landlords who have ongoing problems with their management company must immediately get in touch with the Property Ombudsman so they can commence a full investigation on their behalf.”