No backing from industry bodies but Register goes ahead

News Category: Industry News

A compulsory register of all individual estate agents is a step closer to reality – despite no backing from NFoPP and RICS.

The Register would list all estate agents and their employment history, and include any information as to their qualifications and any disciplinary action. Entry on the Register would be binding on effectively all estate agents – those signed up to the Property Ombudsman Code of Practice – and the growing number of letting agents also with the OFT.

A line-up of heavyweight backers has agreed to serve on a transitional board of directors which will oversee a newly-formed not-for-profit company.

The industry players on the transitional board of the Register include chief executives and directors of some of the best-known names in estate agency.

They include Peter Speak and Lady Janet Oakes, a board director of Connells; Hugh Dunsmore Hardy, a director of Winkworth and former CEO of the NAEA; David Newnes, LSL; Michael Robson, Andrews; Ed Mead, Douglas & Gordon; Robert Bartlett, Chestertons; Bill McClintock, of the Ombudsman Property Scheme; Lucian Pollington, Spicerhaart; and Peter Grant, of software company VTUK. Henry Pryor will act as consultant to the board.

It is intended that once the industry players have got the Register up and running, they will be replaced by consumer-facing members who will be appointed to a final board that will administer the Register.

There has been lengthy consultation to bring the Register to this stage but it has not been endorsed by the two main professional organisations.

They would prefer to see the Property Standards Board – which stops short of proposing a Register – up and running, while there are also concerns about the lack of initial qualifications for the Register, meaning that all agents would be listed on it.

But yesterday, Ed Mead said: “It is the assertion of the transitional Board that talk is good but action is better, and that any register, in order to work, has to have everyone on it initially.”

He said that a test of competence would, sooner or later, be required.

He added: “Once the professional bodies see it up and running it is hoped they will all lend unqualified support, and the Register has no ambitions beyond achieving its aims of seeing all individuals registered and accountable.”


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