This week I have exciting news to share, as you know I am constantly trying to raise consumer awareness when it comes to selecting a credible Estate Agent. Last week The Property Ombudsman (TPO) became the first property organisation to have a Code of Practice approved by The Trading Standard Institute (TSI) under their Consumer Code Approval Scheme. TPO has also become the largest organisation to be accredited by the Consumer Code Approval Scheme since its launch after TSI officially approved its Sales Code, which nearly 12,000 sales agents have signed up to. As the largest property ombudsman scheme in the UK, TPO has more than 22,000 registered agents and the scheme has attracted more than 95 per cent of the residential sales market to sign up for its Code of Practice and redress service. The Consumer Code Approval Scheme replaces the Office of Fair Trading scheme and enables agents to offer enhanced consumer protection, with 26,530 traders already signed up to one of the ten codes of practice. TPO sales agents will now be able to display the TSI Approved Code logo in their advertising, branches and within company literature. Consumers will be able to look for TPO sales agents through a dedicated database on www.tradingstandards.gov.uk, to find a member of an approved code in their area. The TPO Code is a recognised set of standards throughout the industry but it is important that it is also seen as being independently approved by a credible organisation. This news means that agents who are members of TPO actively offer the highest level of consumer protection for buyers and sellers. The scheme was given the Government’s official backing by Consumer Minister Jo Swinson at the TSI’s annual conference in Brighton. Jo welcomed TSI taking on the scheme and said it will boost consumer confidence and encourage economic growth. The new scheme includes both a Consumer Advisory Panel, but also a permanent position for Citizens Advice on the Board. Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said: ‘We deal with over a million consumer problems each year and know how difficult it is for people to find a seller they can trust, the Approved Trader Scheme will help to combat this.’ TPO is among the first trade bodies sponsoring the new code. So be sure to look out for the new logo that agents will be displaying to ensure you are appointing a TSI approved agent.
