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How To Find A Reputable Estate Agent
Date Added 22/03/2006
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The recent television programmes about disreputable Estate Agents will have put fear in the hearts of people wishing to sell (or buy) a property, and the question they will be asking themselves will be – ARE ALL estate agents dishonest, and HOW do we find a reputable one?
With the Government choosing not to license Estate Agents, it is obvious there will be some disreputable Agents whose only aim is to line their pockets by unscrupulous methods.
However, the majority of Agents are not in that category, and approximately one third of all UK Agents belong THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ESTATE AGENTS (NAEA) and/or THE ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS AGENTS (ARLA)
These bodies operate a strict code of professional conduct and insist that agencies have professional indemnity insurance and clients monies are fully protected. Clients’ accounts must be audited by a qualified accountant, and a report issued annually to the Association. Training courses are available to all members and their staff and there are excellent educational facilities to obtain proper professional qualifications in both residential sales and lettings.
ARLA Members’ offices are required to have staff with at least the ARLA Level 1 qualification, which is an examination covering the Housing Act, Tenancy agreements, and general knowledge of the lettings industry. Both associations ‘police’ their members, to ensure that only professional honest companies remain in their membership.
So, to take some of the stress away from your house sale, purchase or letting, make sure you ask your Agent whether they are members of the NAEA or ARLA. You can find out more about both these associations on their Web sites, or contact Drewery’s Sidcup Office at 128 Station Road, Sidcup (0208 300 6761) who will be pleased to provide further information.
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