A leading member of the NAEA has called for his fellow-members to voice their opinions on the way the organisation is going.
Des Rowson, chairman of the Essex branch, which has brokered a deal with the NAEA to stay in existence after the branch structure is scrapped in favour of a regional set-up, said: “If members do not make their opinions known, goodness knows what will happen.”
Rowson, speaking at the well-attended AGM of the Essex branch, spoke about the deal with the NAEA.
Although Essex – and other branches equally determined to remain in existence – will be allowed to organise its own meetings in future, the food, sponsorships and local venues will be organised by NAEA staff in Warwick.
A minimum of 20 members would have to attend each meeting before the NAEA would subsidise it from members’ own subscriptions.
Rowson was critical in his speech of both the restructuring and NAEA licensing.
He said: “When I joined the NAEA many years ago, I did so because I thought that our profession should be on a par with solicitors and accountants, and have pursued that initiative to that effect.
“Unfortunately there are a few members that are not allowed to be licensed even though they wish to be, because they cannot conform to the rules laid down by the NAEA.
“I am one of those. We have also over the years tried to display the NAEA’s emblem where possible on all our advertising but will not be allowed to under the new rules.
“The problem over the years is that members have stood back and not made their voices heard in the right places, i.e. Arbon House. If members do not make their opinions known, goodness knows what will happen.”
Rowson said he was chairman of one of the NAEA’s most successful branches, and that the reason it was successful was simple – it listened to its members.
%20-%20IMAGE%20Client%20Accounting%20%E2%80%93%20what%20are%20your%20options.jpg)
Comments
Just join "The Property Consultants Society" instead
Come on support them or I can't keep deceiving the public my paid for initials mean anything! Big a deception as F&C, London office etc
We are ALL if we are honest no longer a profession, i have been an agent for 30 years. We are now all a Business!! The NAEA was really good in its early days i was an FNAEA but resigned in the early 2000s when it got too political towards its members. Come on NAEA move with the times and i am sure many of your loyal past members may well re join.
"....to really be a professional you have to operate in an industry with recognised Charters etc - like RICS..."
I believe that the RICS recieved its charter primarily for surveying and land (estate) management.
To become Chartered an organisation has to have qualifications, be professional and be preeminent in its field, it takes years.
Today 'estate agency' (especially residential) is very different and is a 'selling' function and should be recognised as such (the NAEA was formed for this). Unfortunately the NAEA is failing at the moment and will not reach the level required for chartered status unless it specialises and controls standards - but this does not mean it cannot be a profession in its own right as was envisaged in the beginning IF it gets its act together, but it could be too late in its present form.
A profession is just a cartel with entry requirements to keep the numbers down and the rates up.
Does the estate agency industry want to be regulated and treated as a profession?
How with respect can estate agency be on a par with solicitors and accountants given their qualifications to practice and regulation and control when they do?
Teachers are the same - always calling themselves a 'profession' when in reality to really be a professional you have to operate in an industry with recognised Charters etc - like RICS