An updated version of the Guidance on Property Sales been launched by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.

The guidance is intended to help property sales businesses to comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) and the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 (BPRs).

It has been produced by the NTSEAT of Powys County Council in its role as the UK’s lead enforcement authority for the Estate Agents Act 1979.

This latest guidance replace now replaces the Office of Fair Trading’s ‘Guidance on Property Sales’ which was issued in September 2012.

James Munro, team leader for NTSEAT, said: “The regulations have broad coverage but the way they impact on property sales businesses will depend on the particular services you offer.

“This guidance is intended to help property sales businesses comply with the regulations.

“If you treat your consumers, business customers and competitors fairly, then you are unlikely to breach the regulations. However, if you treat them unfairly, you may face criminal and/or civil enforcement action.”

NTSEAT has also approved two redress schemes for the property sales sector.

The Property Ombudsman and Ombudsman Services are now both approved to offer alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where there is a dispute in relation to the buying or selling of residential property.

From October, new regulations will require estate agency businesses to advise the consumer of an ADR body relevant to their sector and the nature of the specific complaint, once they fail to resolve a dispute through their own customer service efforts.

NTSEAT has not yhet approved the Property Redress Scheme for ADR but expects to do so at the end of this month.

The new guidance can be downloaded and enquiries about the guidance should be emailed to estate.agency@powys.gov.uk