When 2,000 members of the public were asked if they knew of any property industry bodies a third could not name a single one, it has been revealed.

The survey was carried out by marketing company We Are Unchained, which was founded by Simon Leadbetter, formerly of Countywide, Knight Frank, Keller Williams UK and ex-global CEO of Fine & Country.

Of those that the public was able to name, only RICS  (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) was widely recognised at 42%. NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents now know as NAEA Propertymark) was next on the list, but there was a significant gap as only 13% had heard of it. ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents, now known as ARLA Propertymark) wasn’t far behind at 9%.

Fascinating results

UKALA (UK Association of Letting Agents) was known by 8%, the BPF (The British Property Federation) by 7%, as was the FIA (Federation of Independent Agents) and Propertymark by 6%.

Independent agent groups were some way behind – The Guild (The Guild of Property Professionals) was known to 4%, ARMA (now the Property Institute) was also known by 4% and RAN (Relocation Agent Network) was known to just 3%.

RICS aside, we clearly have some way to go for the public to recognise the groups mentioned in the survey.”

Simon Leadbetter, founder of We Are Unchained said: “The results are fascinating and The FIA did well.”

Graham Lock, chief executive of The FIA said: “RICS aside, we clearly have some way to go for the public to recognise the groups mentioned in the survey but at the same time I’m proud that within a comparably short period of time,

“The FIA leads the way for recognition ahead of some long-standing and established names within the industry.”