Agent faces action by OFT

Touting practices as used by certain Estate Agents should be totally banned by the OFT. Some Agents use quite blatant touting practices. This may put into question the selection of a particular Agent by a Vendor. Circulars distributed to all addresses in a particular neighbourhood, with the appropriate health warning may currently be acceptable, but individually targeted touting letters running down another agent who already holds Sole Agency instructions is questionable. Take care Arthur Green!

• 17 September 2008 08:53 AM

As undesirable as touting may appear to the affected agent, it could be argued that it is healthy for the market as long as its factual and not repetitious, it may well gives the vendor an opportunity to compare services and commissions and identify potential inadequacies in the agent they have chosen.

• 17 September 2008 01:26 AM

If Raja Padcham was trying to purchase a property for less than offers already received by himself/his office then his actions should be treated as theft and the full force of the law should be brought down on him. If this is the case he brings our whole industry into disrepute and unravels all the good work the NAEA/ARLA etc. have done tyring ot put our house in order.

• 17 September 2008 11:48 AM

Undesirable practices take many forms. One undesirable practice I am sure most ethical and professional Estate Agents dislike are the touting practices of certain Estate Agency practices. Solicitors are not allowed to do this so why Estate Agents? The problem is, one undesirable practice leads to many others by the same company.

• 16 September 2008 09:37 AM