ZPG add RICS to agents’ professional affiliations

Agents that list their properties on Zoopla and its sister portals, including PrimeLocation, can now showcase their professional associations and redress schemes that they are signed up to across the Zoopla Property Group (ZPG) platform of websites, including the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which has been addedto ZPGs recently launched feature in the past few days.

Zoopla members wishing to activate this new feature can do so under their profile in ZooplaPro and activate the display of logos of their affiliations on all relevant agent directory pages, property details pages and professional reports across the ZPG platform.

In an attempt to distance themselves from rogue agents and promote professionalism and better standards of service, many agents sign up to various industry bodies that offer professional guidance and self-regulation, in order to offer consumers greater confidence and protection, as well as sharpen up their own industry knowledge and specialist skills.

Rob Clifford, Chief Executive of Century 21 UK, said: “Our membership [to RICS and ARLA] delivers greater confidence to clients that we are working to industry best-practice guidelines in what is still a non-regulated industry. Clients can also take a great deal of comfort from the fact they are dealing with an agent of integrity.”

In addition to RICS, a range of other associations can currently also be displayed, including the NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents), The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

Jon Notley (left), Commercial Director at ZPG, commented: “Our member agents are proud of these associations and we are delighted to be able to help promote them to consumers.”

Aside from show clients that you have actually thought about the service you provide and the well-being of that client by signing up to a body with a redress procedures in place, demonstrating quality and also accountability, there are other considerable benefits of signing up to a professional industry association. These include first class training and nationally recognised exams, legal advice, networking, high standards of conduct with Professional Indemnity cover and client money protection as well as a vehicle to have your voice heard.

Mark Hayward (left), Managing Director, National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), commented: “As new legislation develops, particularly in the run up to the 2015 General Election when housing will be a political battleground, it is vital to be part of a leading industry body, lobbying and shaping the future for the sector.”