Cumbrian estate agent accused of cashing in on Storm Desmond victims after trebling 'admin charges' for rental homes in the affected areas

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An estate agent in Cumbria has been accused of cashing in on Storm Desmond victims after trebling its administration fees for rental homes following the devastating floods.

Cumbrian Properties in Carlisle opened its offices on Sunday morning after 6,500 homes were flooded following torrential rain and residents had to quickly search for a new temporary property.

But staff told astonished callers enquiring about properties to rent that the 'admin charge' for new tenants had risen from £110 per person - plus a £90 'check in fee' - to £600 overnight.

Cumbrian chaos: Residents rush sandbags to their homes in Carlisle, as members of the armed forces, who have been called in to help evacuate people who wish to move, look on

Increased fees: Cumbrian Properties in Carlisle opened its offices on Sunday morning after 6,500 homes were flooded following torrential rain and residents had to quickly search for a new temporary property

David Thomas, 54, called Cumbrian Properties for a friend and was shocked by the hiked charge, considering five other local estate agents he called were all retaining their £110 fee for new tenants.

The electrician told the Daily Mirror: ‘It is disgusting. There are people who are desperate and they will take out loans and get into debt to try and get a home.

‘I felt the lady at Cumbrian Properties was embarrassed by the price rise, you could tell that on the phone. She was uncomfortable explaining it.’

The company’s co-owner Adrian Hogarth has since admitted the increased charges were a ‘mistake’ and will refund new tenants charged the fee. The firm has also donated £2,500 to the flood appeal.

Speaking to Mirror reporter Jeremy Armstrong, Mr Hogarth apologised and said: ‘I made an error of judgement. I had staff who worked 12-hour shifts on Sunday.

‘I made a decision to increase tenancy fees to cover the cost of staffing to get people into properties. I realised on Monday that I should not have done that.’

Devastation: Maxine Beattie assesses damage in the kitchen of her home in Carlisle as the clean-up begins

Damaged properties: A man throws out furniture, along with a Christmas tree, following the floods in Carlisle

An estimated 5,000 households and companies forced from their properties by flooding in Cumbria and Lancashire will be given temporary relief from their council tax and business rates.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said the Government was ‘determined to do all we can to help’ people hit by the floods. He added that leading insurance firms had insisted to him that they stand ready and have the capacity to respond straight away to all of their customers’.

Cumbria Police said there had been ‘isolated incidents’ of flooded properties being targeted by ‘a couple of opportunistic individuals’.

On Monday a burglary took place at a business in Carlisle, where alcohol and cash worth £4,000 was stolen. Tools valued at £3,000 were also stolen from a flooded property in Penrith.  

Today, the Met Office has issued more severe weather warnings for up to three inches of rain and wind across northern England and Scotland, with gusts of up to 70mph predicted.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: DONATE TO VICTIMS OF THE DEVASTATING FLOODING

The Daily Mail today launches a Christmas Flood Appeal - a clarion call to our readers to help families whose homes lie devastated.

With 6,500 homes swamped by Storm Desmond, Christmas has been ruined for thousands.

Now the Mail asks our readers - famed for their generosity - to join in easing the families’ awful plight.

Although the storm waters are subsiding, harrowing images of householders weeping as they return to their sodden properties symbolise the anguish being felt.

From today, Daily Mail readers can donate by credit or debit card online, using PayPal, or by sending cheques to alleviate the hardship.

The funds will be distributed in close consultation with local charities who have already been supplying temporary accommodation, emergency repairs, food, drink and clothing, plus childcare equipment. The Mail’s appeal was immediately welcomed by Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, who said: ‘The great British public is world renowned for its resilience and generosity of spirit. It’s truly humbling to see so many people reaching out to the families affected, and this is another fantastic initiative.’

Tim Farron, Lib Dem leader and a Cumbrian MP, added: ‘I want to thank the Daily Mail for starting this campaign which will mean so much to people who have lost so much.’

News of the Mail’s appeal spread fast among grateful residents last night. ‘Some homes and businesses have been hit terribly,’ said Margaret Boothroyd, 79, who has lived next to Ullswater for 45 years. ‘Any small amount would go a long way to putting us back together.’

These are the ways to donate:

1. Make a donation securely online using your credit or debit card or a PayPal account by clicking the donate button.

2. Use online banking to make a transfer:

Sort Code: 50-00-00, Account number: 20769512,

Payee name: Daily Mail Flood Appeal 2015

3. Write a cheque to ‘Daily Mail Flood Appeal 2015’ and write your name and address on the back, and post to:

Daily Mail Flood Appeal 2015, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT