BBC PANORAMA DOCUMENTARY - ESTATE AGENTS
Following last evening’s Panorama documentary about estate agency bad practice, Lawson Estate Agents Managing Director, Darren Lawson is pleased that The BBC has finally exposed some of the corruption that exists in estate agency.
Darren says, “as fully qualified, independent estate agents ourselves, my colleagues and I have been aware of similar situations and stories among some competitors across the years. What amazes us more than the reported skulduggery is that more people haven’t come forward previously, as it’s been going on for years among the less scrupulous agents “out there”. He continues, “sadly, it’s like all things in life, there are excellent and shadowy examples of all businesses, professions and people in the world.”
At Lawson Estate Agents, we are members of The Property Ombudsman, and all our sales team are either fully qualified or are currently undergoing examinations towards becoming qualified. We have been calling for regulation to prevent such behaviours as those exposed on the programme for decades.
Darren advises buyers and sellers alike, “aside from avoiding the two companies highlighted in the show, only use fully qualified (The Property Ombudsman, P.A.P.P.A. [Plymouth Area Property Association] and Propertymark [formerly The National Association of Estate Agents or NAEA] are the most relevant regulatory bodies), property professionals, to be assured of benefitting from good practice and gaining peace of mind. Equally, be sure to look at the agent’s own website or specific review sites such as The ESTAS. Most importantly, study plenty of customer reviews before choosing your agent”.
In conclusion Darren endears, “in business, it’s far easier to garner a bad reputation than a fabulous one, so check your agent’s customer reviews before choosing your agent.
So, whilst feeling sorry for any victims of estate agency mal practice, he says, “being an estate agent that is incredibly proud of their “above and beyond”, first-class reputation that has taken much hard work, experience and investment in meticulous staff training to attain our qualifications, instead of being frustrated to find estate agents’ honourability being called into question, Lawson Estate Agents are actually pleased that the two companies and their bad practices are “being outed”.
Finally, Darren pleads, “Don’t make assumptions about everyone based on the actions of a few”, but make sure that you choose your agent wisely. After all, your estate agent is going to handle what is likely to be, your biggest asset for you!”
