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16 May 2013
At scottfraser Investments we have our finger firmly on the pulse of the Oxford investment market.
Our Investment Search and Acquisition Service is tailored to the needs of landlords who lack the time, experience or desire to commit to researching the market and undertaking the necessary legwork for viewing properties.
John Gebbels, Property Investment Manager, brings a decade of experience both in Oxford and Central London, and specialises in sourcing and securing prime buy-to-let property.
Estate Agents Act to be amended
20 Jun 2012
The Estate Agents Act 1979 is set to be amended, but not in the way that lobbyists had hoped for. The Government has resisted increasing pressure within the property industry to amend the 1979 legislation to include letting agents and will instead be removing some of the Act's provisions.
David Dalby, outgoing director of the residential faculty at the RICS revealed these plans in his blog on popular industry news website EAT Today. He calls for the best agents in the business to work together for the good of the industry.
He says: “Ironically, having been told consistently by officials and politicians that there was no possibility of amending the primary legislation, the 1979 Estate Agents Act, to bring letting agents into scope, it now looks as if they are planning to amend the legislation as part of the Red Tape Challenge – but only to take certain practices out of its scope, not widen it.
“I have still to be convinced that officials truly understand the nature of the role of estate agents.”
He goes on: “There is still a strong argument for minimum standards and expertise within the sector as a prerequisite of practising.
“Now is an ideal time, while the market is flat, for the ‘good guys’ in the sector to take this opportunity, to put egos aside and come together to agree standards that should be applied to all practitioners.
“More importantly, we should be embarking on a major, and ongoing, programme to raise public awareness of standards and just what quality service looks like, so that consumers can make informed choices based on value for money and real service, not just who is cheapest and claims to be able to obtain the highest, often unsubstantiated, price just to secure the instruction.
“There cannot be a better time for action. Those who have survived this extended recession can set the benchmark for the future of the industry.”
Dalby concludes: “Maybe, just maybe, if the majority of ‘good’ agents can get their act together and gain public demand for such standards, pressure from consumer groups and the industry could eventually lead to Government acknowledging the need to protect consumers and put statutory backing behind some minimum standards of entry and practice.
“However, be careful what you wish for: it is surely better to have industry self-regulation by consent than have centrally imposed statutory regulation.”
Chris Rowntree
Sales Director - Witney Residential Sales, Land & New Homes
01993 705507 / chrisr@scottfraser.co.uk
Source: http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk
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