Graham Lock’s Federation of Independent Agents has launched an initiative that will see new members asked to pass both CRB and directorship checks.

Lock (pictured)  says this means FIA member agents will be able to provide they are fit and proper people to run a business and prove their credentials with a ‘background checked’ status provided by specialist firm Credence.

He says one reason why industry suffers from a poor public reputation is that in theory anyone including former criminals can set up an estate agency or become a negotiator.

“When you compare this to other sectors of the property industry for example mortgage brokers or solicitors the associated individual and/or company background checks are very thorough, and rightly so,” he says.

“Our industry suffers from a bad reputation, when researching the kinds of people that have been allowed to practice agency in the past it, it reads for some very unsavoury headlines.

“The best agents out there want to show their credentials, they know they’re sometimes up against unscrupulous competitors.

Sanitise

“Now our members can prove that they’re checked by a third party. It’s a strong USP that our members will use on market appraisals and within their company branding. We’re doing out bit to sanitise the industry.”

FIA agents will receive physical membership cards once they’ve passed the checks along with the new FIA background checked logo.

A QR code will be visible on the membership card which will point to a unique e-certificate of approval that anyone can access.

Lock says the initiative has been well-received by its members.