Sellers should be encouraged to resolve property defects before putting their home on the market as part of government efforts to speed up the buying and selling process, Propertymark says.
The trade body wants greater use of surveyors, structural engineers, electrical engineers and other qualified professionals before properties are listed for sale.
It argues that identifying problems earlier, alongside maintaining better records of work and completion certificates, could reduce unexpected costs for buyers, transaction delays and fall-throughs.
The proposals form part of Propertymark’s response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Call for Evidence on its forthcoming Strategy for the Built Environment Professions, Trades and Occupations.
SALE READY
Although property agents are not directly covered by the consultation, Propertymark argues their role increasingly overlaps with professionals responsible for maintaining, inspecting and repairing homes.
It says this will become more important as wider reforms to home buying and selling increase expectations that properties are properly prepared before reaching the market.
Henry Griffith (main picture, inset), Senior Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, says: “Property agents are often the first point of contact when something goes wrong in a property, whether that is a repair reported by a tenant, a maintenance issue identified by a landlord or a defect that needs to be addressed before a home is sold.
“As property agents become more qualified and accountable, they will be expected to identify issues and respond to them more effectively. The professionals they rely on must be operating to standards that support this.”
CLEARER STANDARDS
Propertymark also wants clearer guidance to help agents and landlords understand when problems require specialist intervention.
This includes issues ranging from electrical safety and energy performance to mould and potential building safety defects.
Griffith adds: “Professional standards cannot operate in isolation. Estate agents, letting agents, managing agents and built environment professionals need to be working to complementary expectations, with clear responsibilities and standards that can be understood by the people instructing them.”
The government is expected to publish its built environment strategy in 2027.
