Two-thirds of UK estate agents support the Government’s proposed move to introduce mandatory qualifications for property professionals according to new research from GetAgent.co.uk.
The findings come in the wake of last week’s announcement of wide-ranging reforms to the home buying and selling process, including digital property logbooks, binding contracts between buyers and sellers, and stricter material information requirements.
Together, these reforms mark one of the most significant shifts in property regulation in years.
GetAgent’s survey of agents across the UK reveals strong backing for the idea of professional qualifications – even though most agents began their careers without them.
COST OF ENTRY
While 65% said they supported mandatory qualifications, 72% admitted they held none when they first entered the industry and just 5% said they had three or more.
A clear majority (65%) believe formal qualifications are “very” or “somewhat” necessary to maintain professionalism within the sector, while 72% think the move would help improve public trust in estate agents, with more than a third (37%) expecting a significant uplift in the profession’s reputation.
However, enthusiasm is tempered by concerns that time and cost could make entry to the industry more difficult.
Around two-thirds (64%) of respondents warned that mandatory qualifications could deter new recruits at a time when agencies are already struggling to attract fresh talent.
STANDARDISED DATA SHARING
Beyond qualifications, agents identified standardised data sharing between agents, conveyancers and lenders (33%) and binding contracts (31%) as the reforms most likely to impact their daily operations.
Confidence in the wider reform package remains mixed: just one in five agents believe the measures will “greatly” reduce transaction times or fall-throughs, while 42% expect only a moderate improvement.
Overall, 53% of those surveyed said they believe the reforms will benefit the property sector in the long term.
BOOST SELLER CONFIDENCE
GetAgent Co-founder and Chief Executive Colby Short (main picture, inset) says: “The best agents work incredibly hard, care about their clients, and deliver great results – it’s good to see many of them backing higher professional standards.
“Mandatory qualifications will help lift the baseline and give sellers more confidence in who they’re dealing with.
“They’ll also make it harder for some of the low-cost, low-commitment operators to enter the industry, which isn’t a bad thing if it helps protect the fee levels of those investing in their ability to do a good job and provide a great service.
“That said, qualifications alone won’t be what sets the best agents apart. The real difference still comes down to attitude, effort, and experience.”
RIGHT BALANCE
And he adds: “If higher standards lead to better service and stronger trust, then good agents should be able to charge a fairer fee for the value they provide.
“The key is keeping the balance right – raising the barrier to entry without losing the entrepreneurial spirit that makes agency such a dynamic business. Get that right, and everyone wins: agents, sellers, and the industry as a whole.”
