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Are there any statutory or regulatory rules governing who can be an 'estate agent'?
Charlton_King
Posts: 2,071 Forumite
... or can anyone buy a shop window in town and set up Ripoffmerchants-r-us?
I'm fascinated to know.
I'm fascinated to know.
0
Comments
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As far as I am aware no. I know someone who just set up to be a EA with no experience or qualification but he does have a online presence only and has on his site Ombudsman Estate Agent Badge and OFT approved0
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No, you are right. Anyone can open up an ea. Ther has been some talk [that will as usual probably last for donkey's years] of introducing some qualifying legislation and making it more like US realtors.0
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its the same as being an MP or a Lord
"enough is a feast"...old Buddist proverb0 -
After the OFT press release on Nov 5th it's difficult NOT to be an estate agent! For their own purposes the Agents have persuaded the OFT to regard anyone carrying out 'agent duties' as acting as an estate agent. 'Agent duties' can be as simple as telling a mate at the pub that another mate is thinking of selling his house ("any action designed to introduce a potential buyer to a seller")
As soon as you put up a 'for sale' sign with your telephone number rather than the sellers you're an agent!
At the same time many agents are desperately trying to avoid any formal certification and one very large London agent simply refused to join the complaints scheme!
They want it both ways.0
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