CIELA, the aspirant new trade body for the industry, is in talks with the HomeOwners Alliance.
Its chief executive Paula Higgins is ‘tentatively’ booked to attend CIELA’s recruitment events in September “as part of a panel of industry influencers”.
The HomeOwners Alliance, which sets out its stall as a body representing consumers’ interests, is one-third owned by conveyancing firm ULS Technology, which also operates estate agency comparison site www.estateagent4me.co.uk
CIELA, the Charter for Independent Estate and Letting Agents, is the brainchild of IT supplier Charlie Wright, who said that membership levels may now meet the minimum necessary for a full launch on October 1.
However, he did not say what membership numbers are now or what will be needed for a full launch this autumn – something that he has previously said was unlikely.
Wright, who recently attacked the trade press and our readers, said yesterday: “It has become clear that the most important post-launch priority for our members is to shine the spotlight on rogue independent agents.
“The consensus is that sloppy standards among lower-quality agents, who are the ones most likely to be avoiding legislative requirements, stimulate the most public complaints and are the primary reason for the industry’s poor reputation.
“Further, there is still no organisation actively campaigning to improve the industry’s image.”
Wright also said that CIELA will make available to all agents, including non-members, the ability to prove they comply with legislation. They will be able to do this free of charge via the CIELA website.
Agents who complete the process successfully will be provided with a certificate.
Another idea under consideration is the provision of a consumer guarantee, similar to ABTA in the travel industry, providing indemnity for customers against any loss arising from dishonest conduct.
Wright said that preliminary discussions are under way with an insurance company.
The HomeOwners Alliance has had an interesting relationship with estate agents. In January this year, it accused agents of having a “scant acquaintance with truth” and charging “blood-boiling prices for doing little”.
It also said that online agents would gobble up market share.
They blew their credibility. Now they seem to want to get into bed with a entity that is hostile to agents. Weird way to try and win members. I’m out. (Actually, I was never in).
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“Wright also said that CIELA will make available to all agents, including non-members, the ability to prove they comply with legislation.”
ALL Agents. Including, therefore, those that the club is supposed to be campaigning against.
You couldn’t make it up…
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Not sure you’ve caught the right end of the stick that you’re trying to hit him with there, PeeBee.
Anyone can apply, giving them a chance to ‘prove they comply with legislation’. You don’t pass, you don’t get a certificate. You know, like an application.
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“Not sure you’ve caught the right end of the stick that you’re trying to hit him with there, PeeBee.”
Let’s see, shall we?
An Agent that does not meet your… ahem… strict current Membership criteria (a corporate, for example – or maybe a particular pesky NSPR Listing Agency for another) applies for one of these shiny new certificates. They tick all the relevant boxes (one way or another) – so they get the Chitty of Approval with Charlie’s autograph on it… because you’ve just said so
Feel free to tell me I’m wrong – with a detailed explanation for that. And I suggest you make it good.
Otherwise I would suggest some might think you don’t lot even know where the stick is – never mind who’s beating who with it…
…and I believe there’s a name for those that beat themselves.
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I’ll take it that the lack of a sarky condescending response means I caught the right end of the stick real good, shall I, Mr Broadfoot.
Saw the stick… caught it – and happily jammed it exactly where necessary under the circumstances.
To use the second catchphrase I thought of from Dad’s Army to wrap up this post, “They don’t like it up ’em, Captain Mainwaring!”
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Really not sure what an alliance with HOA would be aimed at achieving?
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CIELA + HOA + ULS Technology = Conveyancing Referrals*
* Referrals for ULS with kickbacks to whoever puts the deal together?
Not hard to imagine a scenario where independent CIELA agents are encouraged to direct their vendor & buyer clients to their “preferred conveyancing partner” and consumer champion – HOA Conveyancing (powered by ULS Technology).
….£100 a pop referral paid to the agent (maybe a little something on top to CIELA head office & HOA for facilitating)?
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So…you think this is all about making money?
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“So…you think this is all about making money?”
Quote from the website FAQs:
“It is absolutely a money-making exercise, but not just that.”
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If you’re not instrument rated and the weather’s closing in, land where you can!
Home owners alliance provided both a soapbox and megaphone to Russell Quirk’s attacks on traditional agency but since that all seems to be going badly ting tong HOA are now attempting to schmooze traditional agency as not that bad after all. Anyone who hasn’t followed or done the background reading on HOA could easily be mislead by the sea change in their attitude in the last few months.
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