A toolkit has been launched which is designed to assist local authority Trading Standards enforcement staff to determine the levels of compliance of local estate agents.
The toolkit, which has been launched by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT), has been tailored with the aim to fit in with the increasing demands and workloads placed on Trading Standards services in recent times.
It provides clear step-by-step guidance on a range of enforcement activities which officers may undertake.
From directions on how to investigate and deal with agents which have not registered with an approved residential redress scheme, to navigating a failure to display Energy Performance Certificate information, the toolkit gives helpful summaries of the relevant legislation, time-saving letter templates and penalty charge notices.
Coupled with a detailed FAQ section, the toolkit gives partner organisations explanations on some of the questions posed to NTSEAT on the subject of estate agency.
The toolkit is a working document which relies on input from Trading Standards services to give feedback on what areas would be of the most benefit to them.
While Trading Standards does not seem to be asking for input from agents, nevertheless, the toolkit can be seen here
And if you do want to give feedback, you can email estate.agency@powys.gov.uk or send a tweet to @tsestateagency
Enforcement action that can be carried out under the Estate Agents Act 1979 includes:
Warning orders
Prohibition orders
Interesting considering the lack of enforcement for so many years. Who doesn’t know a particular agent who flouted theses rules for years and the new rules today? Does this mean they are NOW going to look?
You must be logged in to like or dislike this comments.
Click to login
Don't have an account? Click here to register
@ Woodentop – I think the answer will be yes subject to funding. The TS budget was only £178,000. But, in this day and age social media makes checking many agents websites etc easier re compliance. Trading Standards team NTSEAT is now centralized and fines for non showing of lettings fees at £5k per time could help coffers.
You must be logged in to like or dislike this comments.
Click to login
Don't have an account? Click here to register