many estate agents are trustworthy, but anyone can start A business licence regime to protect buyers and sellers of non-qualified real estate agents has been launched by an agency of industry.But he has failed to put an end of disagreement between the National Association of estate agents (NAEA) and the Government official regulations.
Anyone can configure business as a Realtor in the United Kingdom without qualifications or official controls.
The NAEA hope that the licensing scheme is a badge of honesty for agents.
"Nobody get knowingly in a taxi without licence.Cependant, thousands of people are willing to entrust to one of the most important transactions of life to people who are not qualified or experienced," said Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive of the NAEA.
"We would like all sellers and buyers to ask their potential agents if they have a u.s. license ' they do not, they should ask themselves if it is the best place to market their property."
DetailsThe NAEA, which represents approximately 10,000 people in the property industry, said that he was aware of the bad reputation of the estate agents.
Mr. Bolton King told the BBC that it was "crazy" that anyone could put in place in the enterprise.
The new scheme, which would be accessible to members of the NAEA provide licensed members who:
Hold a recognized qualificationAre covered by professional indemnity insuranceCan providing reports accounting when customer's money is heldTake 12 hours of training on the latest developments in the sector each yearAs members of the industry, they must keep a code of conduct, which includes advice on such issues as marketing calls can be made to people's homes.
Those who break the rules may eventually end up in court, where fines can be seen up to a maximum of £ 5,000 for each rule that is violated.
They may also be lifted out of the system.
However, there appears to be that some accurate targets defined how the regime could be considered as a success or not, apart from membership of the NAEA and signs of greater consumer awareness of the licensing scheme.
Settlement of disputesIf customer real estate agents are satisfied with how the NAEA has handled a complaint, they can go to the independent ombudsman of the property.
Some consumers receive bad advice before obtaining the keyHe has powers include price reaching £ 25,000 in compensation.
The licensing scheme is the last move in a disagreement as to the scope of the regulation of the industry.
The NAEA still calls for Government to legislate and establish formal regulation, as in the case of lawyers and other professionals in the industry for house purchase.
Housing Minister Grant Shapps, who was at the event at the House of Commons, said the internal licensing scheme is a symbolic moment.
"I've always said that you must have a go to disentangle yourself", said NAEA members.
But Michael Jones, President of the NAEA, said that the group will continue to call for a formal regulation.
In February, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has given health largely to estate agents after one year study on industry standards.
Consumer Association which? also agreed that industry self-regulation might be appropriate and work for buyers and sellers.
However, in a report published in June 2008, the former head of the OFT, Sir Bryan Carsberg, called for more regulation of the industry.
