The two remaining approved redress schemes after that date will be The Property Ombudsman and the Property Redress Scheme.
The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT) is urging any estate agent still signed up with Ombudsman Services to switch to one of the other schemes as soon as possible. Agents who have not made the switch by 6 August will leave customers unable to access free alternative dispute resolution services, and will be trading illegally.
After 6 August NTSEAT will be provided by Ombudsman Services a list of estate agents who haven’t switched to the other redress schemes and these agents will be targeted for enforcement action.
James Munro from the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team said: “Estate agents don’t need to leave it to the last minute to switch – contact either the Property Redress Scheme or The Property Ombudsman today to make the arrangements and ensure that you can continue to trade legally after 6 August.
Many estate agents have already switched and any agents who do not switch can expect to be targeted for enforcement action by National Trading Standards.”
