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Lawyers acting for at least one British agency using drones to make aerial films of high-value homes on sale are studying advice issued to US realtors after growing concern about the eye in the sky' technology.

Many franchise holders for Coldwell Banker, the major US realtor, have received advice saying that until the US's Federal Aviation Authority creates a clear policy on drones, use of the technology by realtors may be inadvisable.

The advice says that although the FAA is still in the process of drafting rules it has issued fines, penalties and so-called cease and desist' letters to commercial operators, such as realtors.

Drones in the US can reach heights of up to 1,500 feet and be operated via remote control from up to 2,000 feet away, making them ideal for photographing and creating videos of larger homes.

In the UK high-end agents including Carter Jonas and Strutt & Parker use drones while specialist UK firms such as Aerial Drones says it is generally considered to be necessary to get agreement from the Civil Aviation Authority to fly a drone as high as 1,000 feet - although it can routinely fly up to 400 feet high at any time.

One high-end agent - which does not want to be named - says it is studying the US situation to see if it highlights potential problems in this country once drone technology becomes more widely-used by the industry.

Comments

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    I agree John. Some struggle with basic digital cameras! I dread to think what would happen if they were to try to direct a flying photography robot....

    • 28 July 2014 11:36 AM
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    Maybe I'm just a little behind the times, but I can't see the appeal of using a drone to help sell your property. Why wouldn't a pictures and videos of those house from ground level, and arranging a viewing for those interested suffice I don't really know what's so interesting about the top of a house that would warrant a drone. If they had included the agency's name, I would have said it was a publicity ploy!

    • 28 July 2014 10:56 AM
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