While working for Countrywide Residential Lettings, Blidworth-based Katie Green, 23, changed the bank account details of a landlord to her own personal account with the intention of siphoning off £4,862.50.
She was given a prison sentence of 12 weeks suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine and complete 200 hours of community work.
The ruling comes as MPs described the lettings sector as “the property industry’s Wild West” and called for letting agents to meet the same minimum professional standards that governed estate agents.
The report by the Communities and Local Government select committee also urged councils to beef up private rental sector licensing and introduce accreditation schemes for landlords.
A spokesperson for Countrywide Residential Lettings said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to any allegations of fraud or theft. Whenever appropriate, such cases are reported to the relevant authorities.
“It was due to the company’s rigorous checks and controls by its internal auditors that the suspicious activity was discovered. Thereafter, we reported the matter to the police. At no time were any client funds at risk and no losses were incurred.”
