NTSEAT urges agents to comment on Cutting Red Tape initiative

The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team is urging the industry to comment on a government initiative aimed at cutting red tape.

A review by the Cabinet Office is inviting comments - but they must be submitted before the end of this week.

As part of the review, the government “…wants to hear from businesses, trade associations, local authorities, and others with an interest in this area. The review will examine any aspects of regulation and the way it is implemented or enforced which could be made simpler, more cost-effective, efficient, proportionate, or consistent…”

Now NTSEAT team leader James Munro has written to agents saying: “Although it is not limited to estate agency, this is an opportunity for everyone who has an interest in the profession to comment on the way the industry is regulated.”

He says NTSEAT itself is urging government to extend its role to deal with unfit letting agents, and is calling for the introduction of mandatory qualification and competency standards for estate agents. “We believe this would be an efficient, proportionate and consistent approach to raising standards in the industry” says Munro, in an appeal to agents to join him in commenting.

The Cabinet Office document underpinning the consultation is here and if you wish to comment (by Friday May 13) you can do so on cuttingredtape@bis.gsi.gov.uk.