Estate agent complaints on the rise

Posted: 12 May 2006 09:45:56 GMT

The annual report from the Ombudsman for Estate Agents reveals that there was a nine per cent rise in the number of complaints made against agents last year.

On the back of the BBC Whistleblower documentary this is perhaps unsurprising, with increasing numbers become infuriated with the service they receive.

There were 6,021 complaints last year and Ombudsman Stephen Carr-Smith is now calling for legislation to require that all estate agents obtain a licence.

Interestingly, however, half of the complaints were against estate agents who were already members of the voluntary scheme and there are clearly problems within the industry.

Selling a house is regularly voted as being one of the most stressful processes a person can go through and so very few would welcome the extra tensions associated dealing with an estate agent.

Private sales are becoming particularly popular with those who have endured bad experiences in the past, with many using the online option to appeal to a wide spectrum of home seekers.


© Houseladder Ltd