Richard Kendall Estate Agent backs property shake-up

April 25, 2019

Richard Kendall Estate Agent, Wakefields leading estate agent have backed the government’s call for the industry to introduce mandatory qualifications, saying it’s vital that customers can trust their estate agent.

In October, housing minister Heather Wheeler revealed plans to raise standards across the entire property agent sector so home buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords, and leaseholders can receive the best service possible.

A working group made up of experts from across the property sector is considering the case for regulation and the introduction of compulsory qualifications for all property agents, so everyone involved receives a professional service and is charged fairly.

Now Claire Kendall, director of Richard Kendall Estate Agent, has backed the move, saying: “It’s important that our clients know that they can have confidence that they’re in safe hands.”

Currently, anyone can operate as a property agent without any qualifications or professional oversight; many take a professional approach and sign up to standards of practice through membership of a professional body, but others do not.

Richard Kendall Estate Agent, which has six offices in the Castleford and Pontefract area, is registered with the NAEA Propertymark, formerly the National Association of Estate Agents, and ARLA, the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

“There are 18 members of staff here who are either ARLA and NAEA qualified, with another six members of staff currently studying for the award,” says Claire.

“The NAEA and ARLA are the most recognised professional bodies for agents and we work very hard with them to ensure that we are adhering to the ever-changing legislation, remain compliant and make sure we are applying best practice at all times.

“Becoming a qualified agent is not an easy task: we must understand the laws which govern our business and apply these when selling and renting out properties.

“Our job as estate agents is largely underestimated – we act for all manners of clients who have individual property requirements. No house is the same nor is one client the same. We go over and above our roles to ensure that everyone’s needs are met.”

Established 50 years ago, the family-run firm Richard Kendall Estate Agent is also part of the accredited redress scheme of The Property Ombudsman, which offers a free, impartial and independent service to resolve disputes between consumers and property agents.

Claire adds: “House-buying and selling is a stressful business and is one of the most expensive items you will ever own so surely you want to be in safe hands, experienced hands and qualified hands. You want an agent who knows what they’re doing and at Richard Kendall we have that in abundance.”

View article on the Wakefield Express here.

For a free market appraisal, call Richard Kendall Estate Agent today on 01924 291294 or click here to get in touch online.