Estate agents licensing

Posted 18 November 2010 by Neil Moore

Licensing scheme for estate agents.

I am pleased to advise everyone about the new licensing scheme that has been launched by the
NAEA and approved by the government. This has been planned for sometime and now means more
than ever that those agents that are member firms can assure customers of our quality of
service and excellent standards.

'A milestone in the industry and in the NAEA’s history has been reached with the launch of
the first licensing scheme for estate agents.

The licence was launched at the House of Commons, and hailed by housing minister Grant
Shapps as a “symbolic moment”.

He said: “For years I have been calling for better standards throughout this industry, so I
am delighted the NAEA are taking matters into their own hands and launching a licensing
scheme that will ensure their members become known for their professionalism and integrity.

“I call on all estate agents to sign up and make sure they’re not left behind when consumers
vote with their feet.

“This is exactly the sort of measure the housing market needs – simple and sensible changes
that are driven by industry and designed to deliver results.

“By ensuring they enjoy the trust of people buying and selling homes, estate agents will
inject greater confidence and movement in the housing market.

“In future, anyone looking to buy a home or sell theirs should ask the simple question of
their estate agents: ‘Are you licensed?’”

He added: “This is an idea whose time has come: it is the right way to go.”

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA, said: “Nobody would knowingly get into an
unlicensed taxi. However, thousands of people are willing to entrust one of most important
transactions of their life to people who are not qualified or experienced.

“From now on, estate agency in the UK is a two

-tiered industry – those agents who are licensed and those who are not. I think the public
will welcome the distinction.”

NAEA President Michael Jones made it clear that the NAEA, which has been campaigning for
full mandatory licensing of all agents for many years, had not abandoned its fight.

He said of the NAEA licensing scheme: “This is the first step.”

The NAEA proposes to get as many members as possible licensed by June 2011'

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