The National Association of Estate Agents, which is running the scheme, said more needed to be done to protect consumers from unprofessional agents.

In order for an estate agency branch to be licensed, at least one of its agents must be qualified to carry out residential property sales, either through a formal qualification or through having seven years' of experience.

The estate agency will also need to have the required level of professional indemnity insurance in place, be bound by the NAEA agents' rules of conduct and commit to keeping up to date with industry developments, while the individual who is licensed will have to undertake 12 hours of continuing professional development every year.

Mirror.co.uk

17 November 2010