Clamp Down On Rogue Estate Agents
NOVEMBER 20TH, 2006
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The Government has published its plans at long last to give consumers protection from poor estate agents.
The Department of Trade and Industry has published the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill following the Queen's Speech last week.
Many hope this will at last force estate agents to join an approved Ombudsman scheme so that complaints can be dealt with by an independent adjudicator. The new law will apply to all estate agents throughout the UK.
Currently about 60% of estate agents are members of the existing scheme which leaves a large number of complaints against the other 40% who are not part of the scheme.
Any estate agent that fails to join up to the new scheme could be banned from doing any business.
"These proposals put power back in the hands of the buyer and seller," said Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling.
"A compulsory ombudsman scheme able to award compensation, an obligation to keep thorough written records and new powers for the OFT to strike off the rogues who don't join, will drive up standards," he added.
Further measures introduced allow consumers a cooling off period and cancellation rights against door-step sellers.
The bill see three existing watchdogs combine into one: The National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch will become Consumer Voice.
The government believes that these new measures will give consumers stronger powers generally.
