Who is your estate agent?

Can you work out which of the following statements is true and which is false?

1. a)     Estate agents don’t need a licence
2. b)     Most are not signed up to the regulator
3. c)      Many individual agents have no formal qualifications.

Stuck? Well the answer is there ALL true.

At the moment, anyone can set up as an estate agent irrespective of qualifications or experience. Incredible as it may sound its perfectly true.

Your not alone if you think that entrusting an unqualified and unregulated profession with a pivotal role, in what will probably be the most expensive transaction you’ll ever enter into, is a recipe for trouble.

A recent BBC Whistleblower investigation by Anna Adams (www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4826444.stm) found that, “Lying to customers, faked signatures, false passports and dodgy deals with developers”, were all part of the daily life in some of the UK’s best known estate agents.

Numerous organisations including RICs, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (www.rics.org) and Which? (www.which.net) part of the Consumer Association are concerned about this issue.

In its response to a report of the Office of Fair Trading, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) called for enforceable minimum standards and effective licensing of agents.

Another BBC report Brassed off Britain (www.bbc.co.uk/bob/estateagents) found that agents would regularly over value property to get the business and undervalue properties already on their books.

Hugh Dunsmore-Hardy, retired estate agent and former chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents says:

"The real problem is that agents in the UK aren't licensed. Most of Europe except Portugal and Germany and us have compulsory licensing systems as well as the US, Japan, Australia and Canada. It's the perfect deterrent - misbehave and you lose your license.”

There is another way

Unbeknown to many people a quiet revolution is underway in the property market.  A growing band of regulated, highly trained professionals is moving in on the Estate Agent’s turf.

Who are these people?

Solicitors. !!!!

Regulated by the Law Society of England and Wales all solicitors have undergone a minimum of 4 years academic and 2 years on the job training.

Not surprising then that selling your house through a solicitor is proving an increasingly popular choice.

It has many advantages over the traditional approach, not least the fact that all solicitors are governed by a professional body with real disciplinary teeth.

Having an agent who really understands the legal process involved in selling a house can be enormously beneficial to sellers.

The solicitor who sees your house will instantly flag up any legal issues allowing you to get them sorted out before the conveyancing process starts, saving you time and money. Furthermore due to their understanding of the legal process involved in selling a house, a solicitor agent will be able to deal with your conveyancer’s questions and concerns in a way that an Estate Agent never could.

Do check back soon as Francis Alexander Solicitors will have some exciting news on the topic and will give local agents in South Manchester something to think about! In the meantime, you can look at the Solicitors own property shop at www.sps.net.

House of Lords Asbestos Decision Limits Damage Liability 

On Wednesday 3rd May 2006 the House of Lords, the highest law court in England and Wales, handed down 3 major judgements which will impact on those people claiming compensation because of their or their loved one’s exposure to asbestos.

The decision in the case of Barker v Corus & two related cases could lead to compensation payouts for victims and their families being slashed in the future.

Sylvia Barker was awarded £152,000, three years ago for the death of her husband Vernon.

Vernon died aged 57, in 1996, following his employment at the Shotten Steelworks on Deeside. However he had been exposed to asbestos there and also for a short time at another company.

Previously the court’s had ruled that a worker who had been exposed to asbestos by more than one employer could sue any one of them, not withstanding that he could not prove which employer had actually caused his disease.

Mrs Barker’s damages will now be reassessed by the High Court to reflect the proportion of blame attributable to his time at Shotten Steelworks.

Complex judgements like this do not mean that you can no longer recover compensation for asbestos exposure, and if handled correctly they do not mean that you should necessarily recover less money.

They do however re-affirm the need to ensure that a specialist firm of personal injury solicitors like Francis Alexander Solicitors, represent you in your case against any former employer. We understand and empathise with the victims of this exposure and were committed to ensuring you receive 100% of what your entitled to with no deductions.

Call for a free no obligation consultation today.