Estate agents need licensing says Halifax

Posted: 30 Jan 2007 11:48:42 GMT

All estate agents should be subject to licensing and regulatory oversight Halifax has said, claiming that a new government bill does not go far enough to reign in the sector

All estate agents should be subject to licensing and regulatory oversight Halifax has said, claiming that a new government bill does not go far enough to reign in the sector.

Recent surveys have shown that around 60 per cent of people believe that the profession should be regulated.

The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress bill will require agents to sign up with an independent ombudsman empowered to award fines and disqualify individual agents.

This still falls short of enforcing basic standards of service however claimed Halifax, which called minimum training and competency tests and individual licensing.

It also called for a consultation on minimum service standards and a summary box on all agency contracts setting out what each customer is entitled to.

"Our research shows there is real public support for the proposed Government scheme of compulsory membership of an ombudsman," said Colin Kemp of Halifax.

The public would also welcome an extension of this with the introduction of compulsory licensing."

© Houseladder Ltd