The organisation says that with the UK property market gradually opening up to first time buyers again, almost a third admit they do not have a good understanding of the purchase process when making the biggest purchase of their lives.
Since the government's various initiatives to assist buyers have been introduced, an increase in accessible mortgage products has led to an upturn in activity across the country with more first time buyers now able to get a foot on the ladder.
But RICS is concerned that 29% claim they did not have a good understanding of the purchase process when buying their home, and 30% claim that their agents failed to even advise them on their transaction.
With no statutory regulation in place to ensure agents are suitably qualified to sell property, and with public understanding at such a low level, understandably, the majority of first time buyers, some 77%, believe that consumer understanding would improve if compulsory regulation were introduced.
Currently agents who are not members of a professional body are not obliged to meet minimum competency standards or regulated against them. RICS says that this means that consumers are potentially dealing with an agent who, while technically abiding by existing legislation, could be providing inaccurate advice.
It believes that more needs to be done to ensure agents understand what they are doing when it comes to the complex procedures involved in the selling process and advise their clients accordingly. RICS would like to see all estate agents required to sign up to a professional regulation scheme that ensures consumers are dealing with an agent who is suitably qualified to broker their sale and advise on the processes involved.
‘When making the biggest purchase of their lives, it's important that buyers, and especially those who haven't been through the purchase process before, understand precisely what is involved. This is particularly relevant now, with the market now seemingly over the very worst and more first time buyers a position to make a move,’ said Peter Bolton King, RICS global residential director.
‘By using an unregulated estate agent, people are potentially dealing with someone who doesn't understand the technicalities involved in buying a home or their obligations to consumers. I would recommend that anyone who is buying or selling a house checks that their agent is a regulated member of a professional body, such as RICS, who have met minimum standards of competency and understanding,’ he added.
RICS also found that 93% of first time buyers believe agents should have to meet minimum competency standards before practicing and 23% claim their agent didn't demonstrate an in depth understanding of the sales process.
While 30% claim their agent didn't offer advice on the transaction process, more than half, 53%, claim their agent didn't make them aware of the difference between a survey, appraisal and valuation.
