NEWSbeat


DEPARTURES


Peter Bolton King set to leave the NFoPP


The Chairman of the


National Federation of Property Professionals – NAEA, ARLA,


ICBA and NAVA – Mark Hayward, has announced that Group Chief Executive Peter Bolton King has decided to leave the Federation. Peter will be leaving in April, but in the meantime will be working to ensure a smooth transition. Peter said, “The last nine years


have been the most enjoyable of my career to date, and I have had the pleasure of working with many excellent members of staff, volunteers, and of course most


REGULATION Ministers must act on residential property reforms


Regulatory reform for residential property needs to come out of Ministers’


‘too difficult pile,’ says the RICS. The current regulatory and


redress regime for UK residential property is complex, inconsistent and fragmented. It is ineffective at preventing significant consumer detriment and confusing for businesses. Successive governments


have danced around regulatory reform with piecemeal initiatives which have been of some benefit to the consumer, but cumulatively, have only served to add to the confused situation. The range of sector licensing schemes, awareness groups, and ombudsmen present a complicated picture to consumers who want and deserve more effective and transparent regulation. Many High Street estate and lettings agents operating in the sector are not subject to the same high professional and ethical standards as RICS


6 APRIL 2012 PROPERTYdrum


members. RICS agents are part of an


effective, rigorous, and tried and tested regulatory regime based on the clearest standards of service and proper technical knowledge. Most importantly RICS regulated agents take appropriate safeguards with clients’ money, professional indemnity insurance and consumer redress. RICS is now calling on the


Government to introduce one, holistic regulation proposition for residential property aimed at preventing consumer harm and increasing consumer understanding. The proposition must have distinct elements – standards, enforcement, and redress – and RICS, with its far-reaching experience of principles-based regulation, is calling on the Government to endorse its work in driving the development of industry-wide standards recognised and understood by property professionals and consumers. David Dalby, RICS Director


of Residential, comments: “Enough is enough. The Government must no longer


turn a blind eye to regulatory reform in the residential property sector. It must be removed from the ‘too difficult pile’ and dealt with immediately in order to create a level playing field within which businesses can operate. “As long as agents don’t


have to legally meet any minimum professional standards before they start trading, the consumer is at significant risk. This must not be allowed to continue. Self- regulation by the sector, properly developed, implemented and policed, provides the best and most effective means of ensuring consumer service and protection, without increasing the regulatory burden on business.


“An easy first step for the


Government would be the simple amendment to the 1979 Estate Agents Act, redefining the definition of estate agents to include letting agents. In one step, the Government would deliver improved consumer protection for the increasing number of people who look for housing in the private-rented sector.”


chart by Friday 20 April will each win a prize, with the gold top-spot winning the very latest Apple iPad 16gb WiFi device. Brian Farrell, MD of Metropix said, “We want to prove just how quickly a floor plan can be produced, and so we are challenging property agents and assessors to take part in our fun ‘Speed-Floor-Plan- Drawing’ games.


Our league chart will showcase


the fastest recorded attempts and at the end of the challenge in April, the three fastest will each win a prize. And of course, win the coveted title of the UK’s Speed- Floor-Plan-Drawing champ! Good luck and let the games commence!” To register for the Metropix Speed-Floor-Plan-Drawing games, and to make your mark in estate agency history, email


support@metropix.com and a time will be booked that is convenient for you.


http://metropix.typepad.com/ metropix/2012/03/floor-plan- speed-drawing-competition.html


importantly our members. However the time is right to consider the next nine years of my career and to move on to new challenges.” Mark said, “Peter’s continued contribution to the Federation and the industry as a whole has been immense and, as the architect of


NFoPP, invaluable. I am sure that the directors, staff at Warwick, and the members join me in wishing him the very best for the future. “As Chairman of the Board, I will be handling the Chief Executive responsibilities from April whilst it is decided how the role should look in the long term.”


COMPETITION


Speed floorplan drawing challenge


Metropix is challenging property professionals to enter ‘Speed Floor-Plan Drawing’ league


competition. With London 2012 fast


approaching, Metropix, supplier of floor plan based products to estate agents, has announced its own gaming challenge for the estate agency industry that encourages agents and assessors to see whether they can stake their claim as being the UK’s ‘Fastest Speed- Floor-Plan-Drawing Champion’. The launch of Metropix’s ‘Speed- Floor-Plan-Drawing’ league challenges property professionals to pit their wits against other industry hopefuls to see who can draw a floor plan template in the fastest possible time. The three contenders that top the league


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