The OFT advises

109/07 31 July 2007

The OFT has advised all estate agents in England and Wales that a failure to comply with the new Home Information Packs regulations could result in a ban from estate agency work.

The OFT has today advised all estate agents in England and Wales that a failure to comply with the new Home Information Packs (HIPs) regulations could result in a ban from estate agency work.

From 1 August 2007, all homes for sale with four or more bedrooms in England and Wales will need a HIP with details of the property title, energy performance, planning permissions and searches for prospective buyers. Under the Estate Agents Act and HIPs regulations, the OFT has the power to assess whether an estate agent is fit to practise.

The OFT can impose a ban on an estate agent found to be in breach of the Act and can also issue a Warning Order. Once a Warning Order has been issued, if the agent continues to breach the Act, the OFT can make a Prohibition Order banning the agent from practising as an estate agent in the future.

Mike Haley, OFT Head of Consumer Protection said:

'The new HIPs come into force tomorrow (1^st August 2007) and it is important that agents are aware of their obligations and the possible consequences if they fail to comply. If an agent fails to comply, this could trigger an investigation into an agent's fitness to continue estate agency work.'