Campions Group has backed government plans to introduce mandatory licensing and qualifications for property agents but warned ministers against portraying the wider industry as “cowboys, crooks and con artists”.
The group, whose brands include Chestertons, Chase Buchanan and Aston Chase, says stronger independent regulation could improve consumer confidence and prevent professional agents from being undermined by operators falling below acceptable standards.
The intervention follows the government’s commitment this week to introduce independent regulation of property agents, with agents required to obtain a licence and appropriate qualifications to operate.
The proposed regulator will be able to establish codes of practice covering areas including standards of conduct and complaints handling, and ultimately withdraw licences from agents who fail to meet the required standards.
LONG-AWAITED REFORM
The move represents a significant step towards reforms first recommended by the Regulation of Property Agents working group chaired by Lord Best in 2019.
Its recommendations included an independent regulator, a mandatory and legally enforceable code of practice, minimum entry requirements and continuing professional development for property agents.
The latest commitment also goes further than the government’s home buying and selling reform roadmap published earlier this year, which had proposed consulting on mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents during 2027 and 2028.
Property agents are already subject to a range of legal requirements. Residential estate agents must belong to an approved redress scheme, as must letting agents and property managers in England. Letting and property management businesses holding client money in England are also required to belong to an approved client money protection scheme.
However, there is currently no universal requirement in England for estate agents to hold professional qualifications before entering the industry.
INDUSTRY REPUTATION
Dirk Dette (main picture), Compliance Director at Campions Group, says: “We welcome proposals to strengthen regulation and professional standards across the property industry. Consumers should be able to choose an agent with confidence, knowing that clear standards of competence, transparency and accountability apply.
“However, language such as ‘cowboys, crooks and con artists’ risks overshadowing the work of responsible agents. Supporting reform should go hand in hand with recognising the investment already being made in training, compliance and consumer protection.
“The issue is that while estate agents in England are subject to legal obligations, there is currently no universal requirement for them to hold a licence or professional qualifications. A well-designed system of independent regulation would help protect consumers and ensure that reputable businesses are not undermined by those who fall short.”
EXISTING STANDARDS
Campions says its businesses voluntarily belong to professional organisations including Propertymark and that it encourages staff to undertake professional training alongside investment in a dedicated compliance team.
Dette adds: “At Campions Group, these principles underpin the way all our brands operate, including Chestertons, Chase Buchanan and Aston Chase.
“We voluntarily belong to professional bodies such as Propertymark, encourage our staff to undertake professional training and invest significantly in a dedicated compliance team. That investment supports high standards of service and helps safeguard our clients’ interests.
“Raising the bar across the industry would strengthen public trust and recognise the value of professional, responsible agents.”
