Agency boss calls for ROPA exam clarity

The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) chief executive Gareth Samples has called for a steer on when the long-awaited Regulation of Property Agents (ROPA) rules will be introduced.

It is almost three years since the ROPA working party recommended a new regulator and code of practice, compulsory training and licensing, and significantly beefed up enforcement.

Legislation has been promised to introduce the changes but is yet to materialise.

Lord Best, chair of the working group, has previously said all agents, regardless of experience will have to pass exams.

But Samples says it would be good to have information on this sooner rather than later.

“We are broadly supportive of regulation,” he told Estate Agent Today.

“But the lack of clarity is frustrating.

“We want to help our franchisees.

“My biggest concern is there are business owners of a certain age that will have to go through exams and need support at an early stage.”

Glynis Frew, who stepped down as managing director of Hunters when it was acquired by TPFG last year, is now tasked with helping agents meet the ROPA recommendations.

Samples adds: “She will try to influence government.

“It is important we get it right.”

It comes as agency trade body Propertymark reported increased appetite for qualifications in the property sector.

It says almost 7,000 agents have registered for Propertymark Qualifications assessments so far in the current academic year.

A fifth of those are 16 to 24-year-olds — double that of five years ago — and the highest number of registrations is among 26 to 36-year-olds.

A Level 4 qualification was introduced in 2018, primarily aimed at those currently in, or considering, the role of principals, partners and directors in sales and or lettings agencies.

Registrations rose by 26% last year to more than double the number of participants in the first year it was available, Propertymark says.

Propertymark Qualifications is an approved end-point assessment organisation for the Junior Estate Agent Apprenticeship.

The number of assessments carried out has trebled over the past two years and new registrations for end-of-course assessments were five times more than in 2021 compared to the previous year.

Michael Smith, head of Propertymark Qualifications, says: “There is currently no UK-wide requirement for property agents to hold a recognised qualification, so to see a sustained demand demonstrates a real appetite among those entering and progressing in the profession to get qualified and to be fully accredited.

“Since the start of the pandemic more than 2,500 people have gained their full qualifications. This underlines the determination to succeed, professionalise and qualify even in challenging circumstances.

“We’re particularly pleased to see a continued rise in registrations for qualifications from those at the beginning of their career as a property agent. 

“We hope to be able to harness this growing interest to create a healthy pipeline of staff going forward.”