If you are thinking of using an estate agent to buy or sell a property, look for one who is using the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) and Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Approved code logo. You can then be confident of getting a high standard of customer service.
Fiona Fullerton, former actress and author of several books on buying and selling property, has lent her support to the code, which was launched on 21 March.
Estate agents with the OFT Approved code logo promise:
* access for complainants to a free dispute resolution via the Ombudsman for Estate Agents scheme
* surveys to test consumer satisfaction and code compliance levels
* a disciplinary council to deal with members who do not deliver the standards required by the code
* best practice in giving property valuations
The OFT only approves codes that are shown to protect and promote your interests beyond the basic requirements of the law.
