Chestertons says that regulatory control of estate agents should be announced in today's Budget, and that it should include sales, lettings and management.
Although it recognises this is not a traditional Budget issue, Chestertons also wants the government to make Clients Money Protection insurance mandatory to help tenants and landlords currently at risk.
Although there is widespread belief that there will be few major changes to the residential property world announced today by the Chancellor, Chestertons has nonetheless issue a wishlist ahead of the Chancellor's speech:
1. Council Tax - The agency wants reform, including a revaluation of properties and the setting of new thresholds, coupled with a reiteration that George Osborne will not introduce a Mansion Tax.
2. Pensions - The agency wants tax breaks on residential care and a concession to allow pensioners to hold property within their pensions. If the properties were subsequently rented out, we would also ask for tax allowances it says.
3. Inheritance Tax - Chestertons wants the IHT threshold to be raised to at least £500,000 by no later than the beginning of the next tax year. Given that for most households, the family home is the main source of equity this would greatly help the majority of the population to pass on a better inheritance to their heirs and helping some to get onto the housing ladder.
4. Rental Market - More direct encouragement of institution private rental sector investment by making public land available to investors at below market rates, and the creation of a separate use-class for PRS with tax concessions to encourage institutional investors to enter the sector en masse.
5. Sales Market - Further simplification of planning, more focus on brownfield development and surplus public land, and a clampdown on landbanking - set a maximum period land can be held before applying for consent to develop urges Chestertons.
6. Mortgage lending - Reduced constraints on mortgage regulations that choke buyer demand, with Help To Buy - or a successor scheme - continued after 2016.
Comments
Oh no - the pleasure has been all mine, I assure you.
You bore far too easily.
There is nothing to keep up, you cant answer simple questions. the end.
You have entertained me for a couple of days, I am bored of you now thou.
Like I said, Mr Spiller - I'M not the one with an agenda here - YOU are.
Think what you like; say what you like. It hurts me not.
It's actually quite amusing. Keep it up.
here are the answers...
1) Peter Bellend
2) Cant name who I work for as you will go online look at the stock, sale agreeds etc and have lots of ammunition to shoot me down.
3)Yes of course I can
4) To be fair Rich, I prefer being a keyboard warrior, giving it large, I don't have the bottle to be my own boss as I am not confident or good enough.
lol.......
ALL answered - you just don't like the answers...
As expected...none of the questions answered....
xxx
"I have never been disrespectful to high street agents..." You're not reading what I write, Mr Spiller - I said "from your FIRST SENTENCE you have disrespected [b]what decent hardworking Estate Agents have been doing[/b] for generations.". And let's look again at that first sentence - "The reason why the public don't like estate agents is because they charge too much money for not a lot of work.....and they are right because 95% of buyers find their property online." SO - by that definition, the public don't like YOU either, and YOUR charges are too high for effectively doing nothing more than sticking their property on the internet for them. Of course, they will dislike you LESS, seeing as you state you charge HALF of your local competitors - but the underlying hatred will still be burning within them nevertheless...
From your website - NOT, of course, a disrespectful quote "Because every office is independently owned we have no back seat Directors wanting their six figure salaries!"
No - instead there are Franchise Directors wanting THEIR cut (remember - you stated below that it equates to more than my salary... I'm in awe that you are a mindreader as well as a phenomenal Estate Agent) - without which overhead your "branches" could give their clients an EVEN MORE cost-effective service...
"You don't advertise your fee at all....." You don't know that. Playing mindreader again.
"...and try to scam as much out of the public as you can try and get away with...." Again you prove you don't read what is written, as I have already told you that MY average fee is broadly similar to YOURS yet I am prepared to bear all of the costs that you are not within that fee in order to give my clients the service they require. A quote from below - "this sale when tied up would make profit this month so far of just over 9k....how long does it take you to earn that....(21 days for me this month)..." Sounds to me like you could reduce your fees even further, Mr Spiller, or YOUR VENDORS might feel like they're being scammed - seeing as according to you 95% of the househunting process is being done by their buyers without ANY involvement or interaction from you.
"...I imagine you are one of the agents that is charging the buyer a fee." Oh jog on. Imagine what you like. Why not state that in your opinion I'm this huge horned Devil who just has to look at buyers for them to be compelled to buy 27 Acacia Avenue from me and dedicate a shrine to my image in the downstairs bog You are incredible.
"How many times do you want me to explain(and this is the last time)...Online only agents are perfect for people who are confident in the buying and selling process, the majority of the public want someone local..." HOW MANY TIMES do I have to state that THAT IS CONTRADICTORY TO YOUR PREVIOUS STATEMENTS -
* "...[b]95% of buyers [/b]find their property online."
* "[b]The same buyer [/b]would buy thru me as they would you....[b]its the property they are after[/b]."
[b]Buyers[/b] simply have to find a property online, then buy it - that's right, innit Sellers don't even come into the equation - so why keep banging on that your 'hybrid' model suits them better than any other - it clearly doesn't in YOUR analogies
Answers
1. PeeBee.
2. (in order of importance) My clients; Mrs PeeBee and our family; me.
3. Probably. Like I said before, I simply elect to do it the way I do - as does the vast majority of our colleagues in industry.
4. I am my own Boss - and I have Mrs PeeBee's permission to say that.
"You are coming across abit weird making ref to my manhood all the time..." Interesting comment from a guy who not only keeps referring to b@lls - but also puts kisses at the end of some of his responses.
If THAT ain't weird...
I have never been disrespectful to high street agents other than saying the high st office is no longer needed to sell a property- which is true...the agents themselves sell property like I do, some are great some not so.
You don't advertise your fee at all.....and try to scam as much out of the public as you can try and get away with....I imagine you are one of the agents that is charging the buyer a fee.
How many times do you want me to explain(and this is the last time)...Online only agents are perfect for people who are confident in the buying and selling process, the majority of the public want someone local, who can pop around, carry out viewings and see them thru to completion etc....like a high st or hybrid, the difference is the hybrid is half the fee(in some cases)....please get this in your head and remember it.
I work from my OFFICE.
Check out below to enlighten you what branch means....
http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/branch
You are right some Red Homes Franchisees have high st offices, the two in question both felt they have to because they want to be big on lettings and needed a central place for tenants to pop in, rather than come to their home...makes complete sense. Whereas I don't do lettings...and never will.
You are coming across abit weird making ref to my manhood all the time, please can you leave the average sized fella out of it...thanks.
Its funny as I answer all you can throw at me but you answer none...you should look into politics....in case you do want to answer some questions here they are again..
What is your name
Who do you work for
Could you sell a property with out a high st office
Why don't you have the balls to be your own boss
Looking forward to the answers......
Hey - to be fair you have done NOTHING BUT show off - and from your FIRST SENTENCE you have disrespected what decent hardworking Estate Agents have been doing for generations.
The only thing you have put in place is a host of glaring inconsistencies in your debate.
* You advertise a 0.75% Fee - but you don't qualify there is a minimum.
* You state that 95% of all buyers find their own property online and having an office base is unnecessary - yet you say that YOU are a better proposition for a seller than an Online Agent because you're local and the public want you to hold their hand.
Interesting - you state
"...the majority of the public know the high street office/shop is no longer needed....";
"...but newsflash portals exist negating the need for an office...";
"... enjoy your air condition waste of time high street office...";
"...Hybrid offers the same, but no pointless office..."
so please explain to me why do you make references such as these on your website -
"Find a Red Homes [b]Branch[/b] near to you..."
"Red Homes' Honiton[b] office[/b] has been welcomed to the town... The [b]Sales office[/b] is run by Director, Richard Spiller... [b]Office Manager[/b], Kate Spiller, completes the team..."
The list goes on... and on... "office" this, "branch" that - why you'd almost think you were trying to convince people you had braches or offices... how ridiculous a thought would THAT be!
Oh - and while we're on, why does your company appear to have SEVERAL ACTUAL HIGH STREET OFFICES
You've lost yourself in your own vast room of smoke and mirrors, Mr Spiller. Should have tied string to your willy instead of thrashing it around in such a demented and careless manner.
But there you go - there's always someone who goes about it like that.
Hey, to be fair I hate a show off as much as the next person, but your comments have disrespected what I have been doing...so I have put you in your place.....
If someone had thought of something different that was proven to be working and saving the public money yet providing a great service I would praise them, not look to disagree and try to create a meaningless debate.
You could have said, Rich people will still use High st estate agents, even thou we know that are not needed to sell a property...good luck to you mate.....I would have replied Thanks and wished you all the best.
You have looked for a debate and lost, so I will now wish you all the best.
"That's all."
No matter how hard I try to suppress it, I can't get rid of this hilarious vision of you sticking your thumbs in your ears and wiggling your fingers whilst sticking your tongue out at the screen when you pressed "Submit Comment".
All the above is missing is "Nurr nurr ne nurr nurr..."
My running costs = 3500 pcm
high st average = 15,000 pcm..... prob higher for your office..
I am not going to tell you how much profit I make , I will leave you to work it out....whilst we have been having this debate I have never added the franchisee income which last year totalled more than your salary.
That's all.
"Let me do the math for you.....your figure of 180k...we can use that but I would say more like 150k profit because nov/dec is gets a little quieter etc....."
PROFIT INCOME you mean, surely
Then you add MY theoretical income into "office costs" - where is YOURS costed on this cockamamie spreadsheet you have developed to fight your point You can't have it both ways, Mr Spiller.
Like I said... maths clearly ain't your strong point. Nor is economics - although your economy with fact could well prove to be the stuff that legends are made from...
Answers to your questions:
1. I ELECT to have an office. It works for me - and the same be said for the vast majority of Agents. And as the vast majority of properties are sold via Agents with High Street offices, then the answer is weighted towards the necessity. Now if you'd asked COULD I sell a property without an office... but you didn't. Missed a trick there, Mr Spiller - shame on you.
2. Nope.
"I have sold over 850 properties over the last 10 years from my study - FACT" If you say so.
"I save clients thousands in fees compared to a high st agent - FACT" I suppose you might. Question is - DO YOU COST THEM IN THE LONG RUN (good news - you can't possibly answer that one and I can't dispute your answer) The question however is a perfectly valid one and only your vendors need to be convinced that the answer is no. It is up to your competitors to argue their case to the contrary in order to win the instruction - and every one you win is a feather in your cap. You then have to live up to your clients' expectations.
Oh I agree I need tweaks - the process is ongoing and the longer the better, I say.
EAT will be loving this, by the way - we have posted more to each other in the last 2 days than
all other stories have attracted in the last 2 weeks.
Apart from the midnight spammers, WE are all this site has at the moment...
Feel free to join me over on "The Dark Side", Mr Spiller - there's a different audience there and I'm sure they'd LOVE your company.
Who knows - you might increase your Fan Club...
Let me do the math for you.....your figure of 180k...we can use that but I would say more like 150k profit because nov/dec is gets a little quieter etc.....
So cost of running an office, Manager....(I imagine like you)...45k pa......neg....25k.....jnr neg....20k......admin....15k.....total wages....105k.......office rent and rates...dependant on location.....20k to 60k take the average 40k......brings it to 145k, then add on the directors salary of 100k each filtered between profits of their offices......I would say the math is more than correct or would you disagree to these figures
No contradiction, they would totally buy thru an online agent, but the public like the agent to do the viewings and be local so they can visit and hold their hand thru the process.....so like I said if the public were confident in the process they should use online only...I would if I wasn't an agent...wouldn't you...they don't need the office overhead added to their bill.
Better than a fan club on none
Questions for you.....
Do you need an high st office to sell a house...yes or no
You come across as someone who works for a firm like Romans.....yes or no
You cannot compete with the facts I have sold over 850 properties over the last 10 years from my study - FACT
I save clients thousands in fees compared to a high st agent - FACT
There is nothing to argue about there is no debate, High street agents will die out unless like local a firm they borrow millions to stay trading.....the next bust will see lots close.
I like your determination, you could go far as your own boss, a few tweeks here and there....get rid of the bravdo, realise where the future lies, you know the truth.....I have won the battle as stated in the facts....you are the one hiding your facts, there is only one reason you do this because they simple aren't good enough.
Have a nice weekend...xx
"...if your the DB's whats the issue..."
Never said I was - never will. I leave all the willy waving to the likes of you.
"Let me explain......High st agents offer, viewings, local paper advertising, internet, local knowledge, pointless office = high fee
Hybrid offers the same, but no pointless office = Half the fee(in some cases)"
So - it's THE OFFICE COST that makes ALL that difference, is it
You've "sold" 30 units in 13 weeks. That equates to 120 in a year. At your average fee of 1500, that would peg the office costs at [b]180,000[/b] to make your argument stick.
Oh, dear - maths clearly ain't your strong point - is it
"Online only, no paper advertising, no accompanied viewings, No local knowledge, fee upfront = to someone experienced in buying and selling agreed best value for money, but to Joe blogs the Hybrid is best followed by High street, simples really."
Funny, that - total contradiction to your initial statement - "95% of buyers find their property online.", also your later statement "The same buyer would buy thru me as they would you....its the property they are after" Therefore they would buy from an ONLINE just as easily as through you or anyone else.
You see, Mr Spiller - bullsh!t is slippery - and eventually if you spread it thick enough you WILL slip on it and land straight on your face in the brown sticky mess.
"It seems like other people tend to agree with my thoughts..." You mean your Fan Club of one, "Chris P", I take it If so - you're a bit quick to crow. The poster hasn't said he/she agrees with you...
Gotta tell you, Mr Spiller - you're starting to grow on me. You've got stamina and moxy and I admire that. By now Messrs Day and Quirk would have run off crying, and your pal Clemo gave up pretty quickly as well.
Drop the bullsh!ttery and snake-oil salesman attitude and who knows - we might even have a sensible debate one day.
Until then... expect more of the same.
Believe me I have been trying to get another buyer...but sometimes that's the way it goes....
Of course its a numbers game, I am sure your bosses want to earn money(off your efforts)...
I win the bet....
Let me explain......High st agents offer, viewings, local paper advertising, internet, local knowledge, pointless office = high fee
Hybrid offers the same, but no pointless office = Half the fee(in some cases)
Online only, no paper advertising, no accompanied viewings, No local knowledge, fee upfront = to someone experienced in buying and selling agreed best value for money, but to Joe blogs the Hybrid is best followed by High street, simples really.
The people of Honiton have a brain that's why for the last 10 years I have outsold all of the high street agents...
It seems like other people tend to agree with my thoughts, you keep hiding behind your little name...why are you so scared to tell me who you are and who you work for.......if your the DB's whats the issue.....perhaps that is the issue.
He will be delighted you think so.
My 'edit' was to change the number of days it has taken you to tie up a sale, Mr Spiller. I overcounted by a whole seven days the first time - and I'd hate to have been unfair to you.
"Re Exeter Close, it has been frustrating as we've had a buyer for 6 months but they have only just sold theirs!..." Maybe finding ANOTHER buyer - a proceedable one - might have lessened your frustration a tad Not to mention that of your vendor...
"I look at it differently" Oh, absolutely - there's NO doubt about that whatsoever.
"...its a numbers game" I have no doubt your vendor clients will be so happy to read that you simply see them as beans on your virtual shelf.
My name and my company are irrelevant, Mr Spiller. I am not the one here doing all the willy-waving. YOU started this exchange. I am simply balancing your weighted comments.
Let me remind you - "The reason why the public don't like estate agents is because they charge too much money for not a lot of work.....and they are right because 95% of buyers find their property online. Hybrids are the best value for money estate agents...."
Sorry - but using your reasoning above, 'hybrids' are NOT "best value" - ONLINE AGENTS are. How would you argue that point
And should the future vendors of Honiton and the surrounding areas read what YOU have written, don't blame me for any fall-off in your "profits".
Have to say Richard has put peebee in his place on this thread....
I am actually quite lucky, must be good karma.
From your responses it sounds like you are still at the Junior Neg stage, I agree, if you are interested, train up with a cooperate, learn the ropes, then when your believe and have the confidence in your own ability be your own boss, nothing worse than working your nuts off for someone else is there....wouldn't you agree
Re Exeter Close, it has been frustrating as we've had a buyer for 6 months but they have only just sold theirs!...I look at it differently, its a numbers game, this sale when tied up would make profit this month so far of just over 9k....how long does it take you to earn that....(21 days for me this month)...
So, whats your name and which company employ you......are you hiding something, scared...will be interesting to see if you answer this in your next response, my betting is you wont.....
Would love to see what needed editing...lol......
Remember.....if your good enough be your own boss.....if not don't keep giving it the big one with nothing to back it.
No, Sir - believe me, the luck is ALL on your side.
I would rather join a corporate as a trainee neg than be lumbered with one of your franchises.
WOW!! - A possible buyer for Exeter Close - [b]go on[/b], my son!
It's only taken you 286 days and counting. All that marketing... all those wasted sunbathing hours trying to get a buyer. Your 'profit' therefore will be WAAAAAY less than my estimate of your anticipated boast.
Oh - hang on - I forgot - you don't try to get a buyer - you state below they find their own homes on the internet down your neck of the woods.
Stupid is as stupid does, Mr Spiller.
Of course, some folk are simply in a class of their own in that respect.
@Peebee
1)...the vendor decides whether or not to accept the offer...not the agent
2)...900 min fee applies to about 3% of stock....please don't worry yourself.
3)...if you took screen shots my friend, you need to get a life...lol.....anyone reading this is probably rolling around laughing at you.
4)...No offence but I know how many properties I have for sale and sale agreed....32 and 30 respectively....
5)....the answer would be as follows..."fair play Rich, you're right you don't need an office, by the sounds of it you have a great idea and selling lots of house, its a shame I don't have the balls to be my own boss....and have to hide behind a silly name"
6)....5.30pm appt earlier should be a sale.....worth ...1575 so you were a little out.....match it up with your screen shots on Monday and see if its sale agreed...(Exeter Close, Feniton)
7)....Now if you had a brain, you should be asking me "where can I get details of a Red Homes Franchise"....actually...do I really want a wideboy, typical hardsell, think he knows everything estate agent with in my brand....No thanks.
Peebee, you are making yourself come across very stupid, leave this conversation here, there is a place for estate agents like you, but luckily for you its not where I trade....:-)
"The same buyer would buy thru me as they would you....its the property they are after."
Oh dear - you clearly have swallowed your own billshut. There's no fix for that, you know...
Hang on... actually - maybe you're right. Maybe they WOULD buy a property through you and not me. You're a pushover on fees - so quite probably you'd be a softer touch when it comes to negotiating best price from the buyer. Vendor saves a few quid on fees (there - let you have what you believe to be your glory statement...) - buyer gets a nice holiday or car with the change they'd have to pay the vendor if I was hardballing them.
One never knows - does one And the beauty for you is that it's all supposition - so you never even have to worry about the possibility of a face-off.
Previous post: "my fee has always been 0.75% check our website redhomes.co.uk"
Oh don't worry - I have. It clearly states "Selling Fee: 0.75% Why pay more" Pretty conclusive, I would suggest. Bold, precise and compelling. NO confusion to be had there.
YET, you now admit above "Min fee of 900 + Vat."
Erm... oops - I think you'll find that comes under 'false advertising'. Good luck with that one.
Now - WHO is contradicting themselves on here Certainly not me...
"32 properties "For Sale"...30 sales going thru..."
Not according YESTERDAY to your own website OR any of the portals you use - 43 units +/- total; 17 SSTCs.
interestingly, today the web stats tell a different story. Funny, that - how a search can change so radically in just one day. Lucky I took screenshots yesterday, I guess... or I'd even be doubting myself. Maybe I was just unlucky yesterday that all three sites had the same glitch. Stranger things happen, I guess...
"You contradict yourself all the time, you have no answer to how many I have sold, or how much I have potentially earnt in the last 13 weeks with no high street office"
No answer I didn't realise you WANTED one. I thought you were simply waving your w!lly around and making noise - and I leave that to proven experts such as your goodself.
Hope your sunbathing was productive in some way, shape or form. No doubt you'll want to tell me that you made 1427.36 profit while topping up the tan...
@Peebee
The same buyer would buy thru me as they would you....its the property they are after.
Reasonable rate, - you have already said are fees are on a par(the profit)....c'mon thickie you can do better than that.
Min fee of 900 + Vat.
I have my phone and diary with me at all times, give me your office number and I will ring you at 9pm tonight and see if you answer.....ring mine, I will answer.....
32 properties "For Sale"...30 sales going thru...
You contradict yourself all the time, you have no answer to how many I have sold, or how much I have potentially earnt in the last 13 weeks with no high street office, you come on here under a silly name, I am done with you now.....stop wasting my sunbathing time, enjoy your air condition waste of time high street office.....;-)
"...therefore doing the same job but saving the public money."
Not even maybe - but then you wouldn't know "wrong" (or admit to understanding it...) if it bit your @ss off. would you
"I have sold 30 houses since 1st jan with total fee income of 45,851...."
So how come, then, despite obviously being such a prolific salesperson, you clearly cannot sell your own services at a reasonable rate
"my fee has always been 0.75% check our website"
So... you're telling me that your fee for sale of the one bedroom flat in Homelace House will be (assuming, that is, you achieve the asking price...) 450 Tell me - how much has it actually COST YOU to market that property to date - and how much more will it bleed before you sell it and collect your four hundred and fifty knicker (assuming you do...)
"working from home is great I am going to sit in my garden now...."
Well... your 26 currently unsold vendor clients will no doubt be delighted to know you are putting their best interests first and foremost and going that extra mile for them.
My staff and I, on the other hand, have an office to service, and clients' expectations to meet/exceed - so you'll have to excuse me.
Sorry I can't stick around and chew the fat. Don't fall asleep in the sun.
lol.....ok
1) you have you admitted that you have other costs compared to me so you have to charge the public for these via a higher fee.....I work from my study in my nice house and don't have your extra costs, therefore doing the same job but saving the public money.
2) I have sold 30 houses since 1st jan with total fee income of 45,851....
3) if you want the profit it is 33k...not bad for 2 and a half months...(haven't even added the franchise side of things into this)
4) my fee has always been 0.75% check our website redhomes.co.uk
5) If you want to open a franchise, be your own boss, earn good money call me on 01404 43355.
6) working from home is great I am going to sit in my garden now....
Well... do we assume you ARE the latter
Your silence is speaking volumes for you, Mr Spiller...
"...so come into this century and smell the roses...."
Interesting comment from one that didn't seem to exist in the property world during the LAST century - speaks volumes.
"My fee is 0.75%+vat...I would say that's a lot lower than your fee"
Say what you want. IF you are true to your 0.75%+VAT across the board (which I seriously doubt...) then our respective fees are almost on a par. I have staff to pay, an office to heat, light and maintain - how much is your bedroom costing you
Tell me - IF, as you claim (sorry - REGURGITATE...) 95% of buyers find their property online, then WHY waste your clients' money on "extensive local newspaper adverts" Stop doing it - cut your fee further and stick that knife in a little deeper next time you try to score cheap points against your competition.
"I enlighten the public..." Oh - how truly magnanimous of you. Nah - strike that. How prattish, more like - but at the end of the day seeing as you've put forward "arrogant", I won't argue with you on that score.
"I have saved the public in my area approx. 42k in fees since jan this year..."
Come on then - substantiate your claim. Not according to what I can see, you haven't - but please feel free to prove me wrong.
Or are you the typical blowhard we see here day in:day out
@PeeBee
The truth hurts doesn't it yet you still wont admit it.
Yes my company a Hybrid would be completely stuffed without portals, wouldn't disagree but newsflash portals exist negating the need for an office...so come into this century and smell the roses....My fee is 0.75%+vat...I would say that's a lot lower than your fee, do you advertise your fee or do you see what you can get away with....who is the open and honest one
I enlighten the public so they don't throw their money down the drain....I have saved the public in my area approx. 42k in fees since jan this year compared to a high st agent charging 1.5%.....I wouldn't say that was arrogant would youxxx
Oh hear he goes again.
Mr Spiller - YOU may well be happy to admit that you rely so heavily on the internet that it does 95% of your job - but that being the case, then you should be ashamed that your fee, whilst lower (for a reason, obviously...) than that of others does not fully reflect that glaring admission that you would be well and truly stuffed without the portals feeding you with leads.
When you charge 5% of that of your competition, THEN you may claim to giving "best value for money". Not until.
And don't insult "the public" you arrogant wassock - some of them pay your meagre wage.
Any of the commentators on here who actually have any first hand estate agency experience will be well aware that the industry is indeed regulated by a whole raft of industry specific legislation(do your research) as well as a range of other legislation covering a number of industries such as consumer protection and money laundering laws etc. If by regulation one is referring to licencing. I and indeed all the long term career estate agency professionals I know would welcome it.
The reason why the public don't like estate agents is because they charge too much money for not a lot of work.....and they are right because 95% of buyers find their property online. Hybrids are the best value for money estate agents....the high street agents and the majority of the public know the high street office/shop is no longer needed....if the public are stupid enough to pay the high street agents fees then they shouldn't complain.
Most of the 'regulations' that we now have are not enforced by the regulators - until facilities are in place to achieve this there is no point in having more.
The public already have right of redress and rogue agents risk fines and prison. Why does there need to be more
Agreed. More regulation is needed to enhance the reputation of estate agents (it couldn't be much worse, to be honest).
Extra red tape makes me a little nervous, but I think it's a necessary evil to make estate agents as accountable as any other profession.
Yep, totally agree with Chestertons here. More regulation and more training is needed, if only to improve the dire reputation of estate agents in the UK. I'd argue only politicians and traffic wardens have a lower standing. Anything that can be done to change that should be welcomed, not rejected.
The industry definitely needs to be better regulated, as most other industries are. Why is estate agency so different People talk about the extra red tape, bureaucracy and nannying that would be brought about by excessive regulation, but it's clear that something needs to be done, even if it does put a few noses out of joint at first.