A LONG-established Ipswich estate agent has been fined by magistrates for failing to carry out repairs. Thompsons Estate Agents was founded in 1933 and describes itself as one of Ipswich's oldest estate agents.

A LONG-established Ipswich estate agent has been fined by magistrates for failing to carry out repairs.

Thompsons Estate Agents was founded in 1933 and describes itself as one of Ipswich's oldest estate agents.

Based in Upper Brook Street, Thompsons was prosecuted by Ipswich Borough Council's environmental health department at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court

The company was found guilty, in their absence, of failing to comply with a Repair Notice and was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £407 costs.

Senior environmental health officer Mark Preston said: "Under the housing Act 1985 we served a non completion of repair notice on Thompsons in relation to a property they manage in Royston Drive."

Mr Preston said two elderly tenants had complained of problems with condensation and damp, which the Thompsons had not repaired.

He said: "They did not do that work and that is why we prosecuted. They simply did not act on the notice we served on them."

Mr Preston said the estate agents had a large portfolio of more than 800 properties in the Ipswich area.

He said landlords must maintain properties for the safety and health of tenants.

Mr Preston said: "It is their responsibility and they must learn that. We make sure standards in private rented accommodation are up to standard and we will continue to enforce those standards for the safety and health of tenants in Ipswich."

According to its website Thompsons offers a "traditional and professional service, experienced friendly staff with vast local knowledge, and very competitive rates."

Mr Preston said he was glad the company had been successfully prosecuted but called for larger fines to be levied.

He said: "It is a relatively good fine for a Housing Act offence although £1,407 to a company such as Thompsons will not be particularly problematic. We would like to see higher fines."

A spokesman for Thompsons said the company did not wish to comment on the prosecution.