The Guild of Property Professionals has issued a reminder to agents about the importance of their websites remaining compliant.
The property network group warned that the first an agent could realise something is wrong is when a trading standards penalty notice arrives in their inbox.
Paul Offley, compliance officer at The Guild of Property Professionals, said estate agents with limited company status should display the registered name, registered address, company registration number and place of registration.
Offley adds that it is also important to check the information held on the business at Companies House.
Where there is a partnership or individuals, Offley said, brands with fewer than 20 partners should include the name of each on the website and there should also be an address where documents can be served for each partner.
Agents must also display the logo of the redress scheme it is a part of and a link to it, Offley said, while there should also be a data policy that shows what is done with user information.
Offley also reminded agents that consumers must have access to the current EPC rating of a listing and properties on the website should include information on price, tenure and council tax band.
Lettings agents must also show client money protection details as well as fee information.
Offley added: “Agents should have a checklist in place that helps them methodically go through and check that they are meeting the legislative requirements. A control testing procedure will ensure that an agent’s website remains compliant, and they avoid the unnecessary cost of a hefty penalty.”
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This is something the likes of eXp UK need to be aware of.
They have 300 plus independent, self-employed estate working under their banner, most having their own limited companies.
However, when you go onto the individual agent's website, they all claim that their company registration details are "...eXp World UK Limited are a registered company at c/o Corporation Service Company (Uk) Limited, 5 Churchill Place, 10th Floor, London, United Kingdom, E14 5HU. Registered company Number is 12016573. VAT..."
A quick look at Companies House shows you that there are two named directors are James Bramble and CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED. James doesn't appear to be an agent for eXp and there aren't any eXp agents named as "Persons with significant control." The other director is just an incorporating business.
I can't see the relevance of these company details to any agent operating for eXp. What should happen is that the registered eXp'er displaying their own company details on their microsites.
Just looking at a few random examples you’d have:
Scott Gunn should be listed as VICTORIA SCOTT PROPERTY SERVICES LIMITE, 9 Waltham Close, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3YF. Company No: 12334755.
Aaron Tonks should be listed as AARON TONKS THE PROPERTY GUY LIMITED, Swinford House Albion Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EE. Company No: 12845130.
Samantha Cerrone should be listed as CERRONE ESTATES LIMITED, 8 Church Green East, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 8BP. Company No: 12693878.
Simon Mabbatt should be listed as SPM PROPERTY SERVICES LTD, 63 Carruthers Court, Racecourse Road, Newbury, RG14 7GH. Company No: 11412391.
Chris Abraham should be listed as ABRAHAM & SONS PROPERTY LTD, Severn House, Hazell Drive, Newport, South Wales, NP10 8FY. Company No: 11091539
And the list goes on and on...
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