It’s time qualifications for estate agents became mandatory

I’ll never forget the estate agent who tried to flog me my first flat. As I waited on the kerb in North London, he roared up in a Mercedes-Benz convertible, bling glittering from his hands and neck, a belt emblazoned with the word ‘STUD’ and a knuckle tattoo that can’t be shared in a respectable publication.

I was new to house-buying but even this struck me as a bit odd. I soon came to learn that a spotty teenager with a souped-up car and a penchant for gold jewellery isn’t that unusual in the estate agent game. Since then, I have dealt with agents who know what they’re doing and conduct themselves admirably. But I’m always alert to the fact that this is a profession that requires no qualifications and no experience.

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Which brings me to new research from LetBritain on estate agents and lettings.