The Property Ombudsman scheme is issuing revised Codes of Practice for sales and lettings agents, which in particular take account of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and the new 14-day cooling-off requirement.
The new codes will be effective from August 1.
Ombudsman Christopher Hamer said:”The revised codes incorporate the many changes in legislation that have occurred over recent years.”
Both new codes also include an expanded glossary of terms to clearly define, for example, ‘aggressive behaviour’, ‘average consumer’, ‘harassment’, ‘material information’ and ‘transactional decision’.
Gerry Fitzjohn, chief operating officer at TPO, said:“The codes provide a robust framework in which registered firms should operate. They cover the entire process of selling, buying, letting and renting a property, including information disclosure, offers, deposits, conflicts of interest and the agent’s duty of care.
“The codes are widely recognised as an essential tool that TPO agents can use to assure buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords about the fair and honest service they can expect to receive.”
Nice code – shame very few people have ever bothered to read it and even less people follow it despite having the stickers on the window
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Oh dear – not 'liking' your own comment, I hope?
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"Both new codes also include an expanded glossary of terms to clearly define, for example, ‘aggressive behaviour’, ‘average consumer’, ‘harassment’, ‘material information’ and ‘transactional decision’."
Oh, great. And no doubt The Ombudsman will indemnify us all against prosecution should we follow these "clearly defined" Codes and still find ourselves up in front of The Beak when some "average consumer" feels miffed without reason…
Maybe we can call him as material witness?
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