Homeowners 'do not trust estate agents'

Posted: 08 May 2006 10:18:50 GMT

Confirming what had been suspected by most, new research has found that British homeowners have very little trust in their estate agents.

Estate agents have actually been voted behind only window cleaners and decorators as the professionals that Brits would least like to leave alone in their homes.

It is generally accepted that buying or selling a property constitutes one of the most important decisions a person can make.

It would seem, though, that the role of estate agents in the UK property market is not helping the matter, with 69 per cent of homeowners uncomfortable about estate agents showing people round their home when they are not present.

More than half now go out of their way to make sure they are present at viewings, but for 18 per cent this is a practical impossibility, despite their wishes.

Part of the reason for the lack of trust is evidently experience, with 11 per cent having had a dispute over payment of fees or commission with an estate agent, according to research from More Than.

The basic disillusionment with the integrity of some estate agents has in recent years led to a rise in the popularity of private selling.

Increasingly, property owners are looking to avoid forking out excessive amounts in commission and are also regaining control over viewing times.


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