Estate agent valuations and software versus Land Registry

princeofpounds

Check out the OFT register of banned estate agents. Quite a few in there, although it doesn't list exact crimes there's plenty of fraud.

And given that the OFT is an under-resourced institution and hardly the police there's probably loads who slip through.

But I know you are sensitive about this, I agree that it isn't the most common thing and the vast majority of EAs are perfectly legal. But there are plenty who aren't and real estate has never been a clean sector whether it's LLs, developers, agents, contractors or whoever. Even tenants!

http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/register/

Oh, and who can forget this program? Given that some of this was based in my local area and I know of the EA shops involved I think that's close enough to home.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4826692.stm

chickmug

princeofpounds wrote: »

Check out the OFT register of banned estate agents. Quite a few in there, although it doesn't list exact crimes there's plenty of fraud.

And given that the OFT is an under-resourced institution and hardly the police there's probably loads who slip through.

But I know you are sensitive about this, I agree that it isn't the most common thing and the vast majority of EAs are perfectly legal. But there are plenty who aren't and real estate has never been a clean sector whether it's LLs, developers, agents, contractors or whoever. Even tenants!

I accept what you say and thanks for getting back. Yes I am senstive as I do need to bring balance to the forum lest all agents get publically hanged because of rumours that get out of hand. In my 40 years I remember one dodgy one who I think ended up in jail but that was 35 years'ish ago.

princeofpounds

Well you have a point re balance. And I think it's great as an ex-agent you post on the subject too.

I don't know what it is but most of the industry participants don't seem to want to help themselves - I've had about 8 tenancies in my lifetime and roughly 5 of those were agent-led and in 4 of those cases the agents did something dishonest or unprofessional. And in all but one of those cases it just seemed to be a result of laziness rather than any malice so it was a mystery why they wanted to cause problems to themselves and the LL by upsetting new tenants.

That's just my personal experience though everyone I know has these stories but it must be frustrating to those agents who are professional to be tarred with the actions of their peers.

I guess fundamentally there is no quality control in the industry so you get all types. Doctors used to be the same with most of them being quacks! But estate agency is much harder to professionalise by its nature.

Gwhiz

Hey Chickmug. I appreciate you are trying to bring balance but your obvious distaste of any negative comment against EA's is a little too strong. Chill out a little.... the comment about "taught to lie" was actually quite funny.

chickmug

Gwhiz wrote: »

Hey Chickmug. I appreciate you are trying to bring balance but your obvious distaste of any negative comment against EA's is a little too strong. Chill out a little.... the comment about "taught to lie" was actually quite funny.

I am chilled an enjoy all aspects of the forum and am old enough to realise what is worth getting stressed about. I will carry on posting in the same vein, sometimes bending over backwards and getting little thanks and sometimes the posters are polite enough to be grateful. I have spent an hour in replying to a single request for help and seconds on others in having a bit of frivolity.

So tell us what you do and I'll get working on some funny gags to put to you or can you give and not take:D

Gwhiz

chickmug wrote: »

I am chilled an enjoy all aspects of the forum and am old enough to realise what is worth getting stressed about. I will carry on posting in the same vein, sometimes bending over backwards and getting little thanks and sometimes the posters are polite enough to be grateful. I have spent an hour in replying to a single request for help and seconds on others in having a bit of frivolity.

So tell us what you do and I'll get working on some funny gags to put to you or can you give and not take:D

Well seeing as I have yet to make any gags on here I'm not sure what I have "given" in order to "take". Or are you referring to some sordid sexual act I am unaware of

chickmug

Gwhiz wrote: »

Well seeing as I have yet to make any gags on here I'm not sure what I have "given" in order to "take". Or are you referring to some sordid sexual act I am unaware of

Look lets get something straight - my name is NOT Max Moseley:cool: