OEA sees continued complaints about Estate Agents

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by Gill Montia

The Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) has reported that it is dealing with more disputes in relation to lettings and Ombudsman, Christopher Hamer, is predicting that during 2009 lettings will become the major area of his activities.

According OEA figures 1,043 new cases were received in 2008: 743 for sales and 300 for lettings, an increase of 20% on 2007 but up 78% on 2006.

Mr Hamer comments that the rise reflects the changing profile of the UK housing market and advises that he is in talks with the Association of Residential Letting Agents, to bring all its members within the scope of the OEA.

At the same time, the Office of Fair Trading has been asked to recognise the OEA lettings Code of Practice under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.

This should ensure consistency in the standards of services delivered across both the sales and lettings markets.