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Email to EIA Scrutiny Panel – Jersey Estate Agents Association – 5th February 2021 Dear Sirs
Following our article in the JEP dated 1 February 2021 (see link below), the Jersey Estate Agents' Association (JEAA) would like to engage with Government on the topic of "Regulation of Estate Agents".
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In the UK, the process of regulating estate agents is well underway with the Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) gaining cross party parliamentary support at Westminster and when this is adopted all estate agents will have to have the appropriate qualification in order to conduct business.
Propertymark, the UK estate agents' professional body, has designed courses that are appropriate for the conducting of property sales and rentals.
Front facing staff will be required to have a Level 3 minimum qualification which is equivalent to an "A" level and principals, partners and directors will be required to have a Level 4 minimum qualification, which is equivalent to a first year university degree.
The Association would like to see Government supporting this move to protect consumers from unscrupulous agents who have little or no experience in the property industry. Currently the barrier to entry is low and anyone can start a business which deals with peoples' most valuable asset.
The JEAA is working with Propertymark to develop an additional course that deals with property transactions in Jersey, which is of course different from the UK.
In addition, the Association would like the support of Government to make it mandatory for all Jersey estate agents to become a member of the Jersey Estate Agents' Association, because as an Association, all members automatically become members of Propertymark, the UK's "go to" association for estate agents, The Property Ombudsman scheme, offering redress to consumers, have to adhere to a strict code of conduct and have professional indemnity insurance in place.
Currently none of the above requirements are in place for Jersey estate agents.
With nearly 50 agencies operating in our small Island, consumers deserve to know that their biggest asset is in the safe hands of a professionally qualified agent.
We would welcome an opportunity to meet with you and discuss the matter further and look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Nick Dodsley MNAEA, MARLA
Vice-President – Jersey Estate Agents' Association Business Owner – ND Estates M. 07797 744417