Estate agents 'are operating without commitment to standards'

Posted: 17 Mar 2011 12:20:15 GMT

The property ombudsman has criticised the standards of many estate agents.

Too many estate agents are operating without the correct commitment to standards, it has been claimed.

In his 2010 Annual Report, the property ombudsman (TPO) Christopher Hamer has noted there are concerns organisations that do not sign up to the TPO Code of Practice could be acting to customer detriment.

The industry figure noted the guidelines represent a comprehensive set of rules by which firms should conduct their business, adding consumers will be given confidence knowing they are dealing with people who adhere to such a code.

"There are still too many who are operating without that commitment to standards and without any external controls over what they do with client money," he explained.

Mr Hamer said he will continue to strive for higher standards throughout the industry.

His comments come after the March 2011 Building Societies Association Property Tracker revealed a bleak labour market outlook coupled with renewed home buyer aspirations.
 

© Houseladder Ltd