ehB receives licence from NAEA

A licensed estate agency branch means consumers are guaranteed that at least one agent within that branch is qualified in residential property sales, either through a formal qualification or through length of membership of the NAEA.

This qualification requirement is unique to NAEA licensed estate agents - the only licence of its kind in the UK property industry.

At its launch in the House of Commons in November, the licensing scheme was given the backing of Grant Shapps, Housing Minister and Alison Seabeck, Shadow Housing Minister.

Mr Shapps said: “By ensuring they enjoy the trust of people buying and selling homes, estate agents will inject greater confidence and movement in the housing market.”

“In future anyone looking to buy a home or sell theirs should ask the simple question of their estate agents - are you licensed by the NAEA?”

Currently there is no barrier to anyone setting up and practising as an estate agent. There is no legal requirement for estate agents to obtain the new licence, leaving consumers with a clear choice over whether they choose a licensed or unlicensed agent.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA, said: “I am delighted to confirm that ehB Residential is now fully licensed.

“We would like all sellers and buyers to ask their prospective agents: ‘Do you have an NAEA licence?”.

“If they don’t, they should ask themselves whether that’s the agent from whom they will get the best service when marketing their property. No one would knowingly use an unlicensed taxi driver. Neither should they use an unlicensed estate agent.

“In a difficult economic time it is important for anyone placing a home on the market to use a professional, knowledgeable agent. NAEA members know their local area and know their local market. That is very important to consumers.”

The new licence will also guarantee the agency is covered by required amounts of Professional Indemnity Insurance. They will also undertake 12 hours of continuing professional development every year, commit to keeping up to date with industry developments and be bound by the NAEA’s rules of conduct.

The NAEA represents around one in three estate agents in the UK. It aims to get as many members as possible licensed by the end of this month. All of its members can be found by visiting www.naea.co.uk.

Edward Bromwich, managing director of ehB Residential, added: “I am very pleased that ehB Residential has been recognised as a licensed NAEA agent. It is testament to the hard work and professionalism that all the staff provide and confirms that as a company we are operating to the highest professional standards.”

To benefit from the services of ehB Residential please contact the Leamington branch on 881144 or Warwick on 499540