News

The debate about qualifications for estate agents continues to divide opinion. Baroness Fox of Buckley recently commented during a House of Lords debate that she felt estate agents’ degrees are not necessary.

This follows Matthew Pennycook, Labour’s shadow housing minister, tabling an amendment to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill requiring estate agents to have at least one A-Level and for all directors of estate agencies to have an undergraduate degree. Last month, the Royal Agricultural University launched the first university course in residential estate agency.

Commenting on the debate, safeagent’s chief executive Isobel Thomson, says:

“Agents do not need degrees to perform their roles. They do need professional development, of course, with recognised industry qualifications so that consumers can be reassured they are receiving a certain level of service.

“We feel strongly that agency is a people business requiring strong interpersonal skills, local community knowledge and professional competency. A combination of these is what makes a good agent, not whether they studied three years for a degree at university.”