PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Estate Agents: Fees and Charges (5 January 2015)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to protect consumers from double charging by estate agents.
Asked by:
Bill Esterson (Labour)
Asked by:
Bill Esterson (Labour)
Answer
We have worked closely with the Property Ombudsman on this matter. Last month he published specific guidance to estate agents underlining their obligations under the Ombudsman’s Code of Practice which is available at:
http://www.tpos.co.uk/members_index.htm
These obligations include requirements for transparency of information, avoidance of conflicts of interest and fairness to ensure both buyer and seller have the information necessary at the earliest point possible to make the right decisions. Failure to adhere to the Code risks agents being removed from the redress scheme which would result in an estate agent not being legally able to operate.
Answered by:
Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat)
8 January 2015
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