The real estate agents
Series: Which? ; June 2003, 10-13(4)Publication details: 2003Subject(s): Summary: Investigates the performance and practice of estate agents in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and reports disturbing findings such as misleading advertising, unearned and double payment of commission, collusion with property developers and broken promises. States that currently there is no systematic way of preventing these kinds of malpractice and that the Estate Agents Act 1979 is not protecting the consumer effectively. Anticipating the publication of the OFT's study of the estate agency industry, the article suggests that the industry urgently needs proper regulation with the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme for estate agents, unannounced checks on their records, all estate agents signing up to the Ombudsman for Estate Agents scheme, compulsory professional training and a standard form of contract covering such things as fees, selling rights and tie-in periods. Provides guidance on contractual terms and gives sources of further information.| Item type | Current library | Call number | Copy number | Status | Date due | Barcode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journal article | London Journal article | ABS66839 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | 122820-1001 |
Investigates the performance and practice of estate agents in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and reports disturbing findings such as misleading advertising, unearned and double payment of commission, collusion with property developers and broken promises. States that currently there is no systematic way of preventing these kinds of malpractice and that the Estate Agents Act 1979 is not protecting the consumer effectively. Anticipating the publication of the OFT's study of the estate agency industry, the article suggests that the industry urgently needs proper regulation with the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme for estate agents, unannounced checks on their records, all estate agents signing up to the Ombudsman for Estate Agents scheme, compulsory professional training and a standard form of contract covering such things as fees, selling rights and tie-in periods. Provides guidance on contractual terms and gives sources of further information.