Estate Agents Act 1979
This Act applies, subject to subsections (2) to (4) below to things done by any person in the course of a business (including a business in which he is employed) pursuant to instructions received from another person (in this section referred to as “the client”) who wishes to dispose of or acquire an interest in land— and in this Act the expression “estate agency work” refers to things done as mentioned above to which this Act applies.
for the purpose of, or with a view to, effecting the introduction to the client of a third person who wishes to acquire or, as the case may be, dispose of such an interest; and
after such an introduction has been effected in the course of that business, for the purpose of securing the disposal or, as the case may be, the acquisition of that interest;
This Act does not apply to things done—
in the course of his profession by a practising solicitor or a person employed by him or by an incorporated practice (within the meaning of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980) or a person employed by it; or
in the course of credit brokerage, within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1974; or
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in the course of carrying out any survey or valuation pursuant to a contract which is distinct from that under which other things falling within subsection (1) above are done; or
in connection with applications and other matters arising under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Parts 3 to 5 of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023, the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 or the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997, the Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Scotland) Act 1997 or the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 .
This Act does not apply to things done by any person—
pursuant to instructions received by him in the course of his employment in relation to an interest in land if his employer is the person who, on his own behalf, wishes to dispose of or acquire that interest; or
in relation to any interest in any property if the property is subject to a mortgage and he is the receiver of the income of it; or
in relation to a present, prospective or former employee of his or of any person by whom he also is employed if the things are done by reason of the employment (whether past, present or future).
This Act does not apply to the following things when done by a person who does no other things which fall within subsection (1) above—
publishing advertisements or disseminating information;
providing a means by which—
a person who wishes to acquire or dispose of an interest in land can, in response to such an advertisement or dissemination of information, make direct contact with a person who wishes to dispose of or, as the case may be, acquire an interest in land;
the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) can continue to communicate directly with each other.
In this section—
“practising solicitor” means, except in Scotland, a solicitor who is qualified to act as such under section 1 of the Solicitors Act 1974 or Article 4 of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, and in Scotland includes a firm of practising solicitors;
“mortgage” includes a debenture and any other charge on property for securing money or money’s worth; and
any reference to employment is a reference to employment under a contract of employment.
Subject to subsection (3) below, any reference in this Act to disposing of an interest in land is a reference to— and any reference to acquiring an interest in land shall be construed accordingly.
transferring a legal estate in fee simple absolute in possession; or
transferring or creating, elsewhere than in Scotland, a lease which, by reason of the level of the rent, the length of the term or both, has a capital value which may be lawfully realised on the open market; or
transferring or creating in Scotland any estate or interest in land which is capable of being owned or held as a separate interest and to which a title may be recorded in the Register of Sasines;
In subsection (1)(b) above the expression “lease” includes the rights and obligations arising under an agreement to grant a lease.
Notwithstanding anything in subsections (1) and (2) above, references in this Act to disposing of an interest in land do not extend to disposing of—
the interest of a creditor whose debt is secured by way of a mortgage or charge of any kind over land or an agreement for any such mortgage or charge; or
in Scotland, the interest of a creditor in a heritable security as defined in section 9(8) of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970.
The power of the lead enforcement authority to make an order under this section with respect to any person shall not be exercisable unless the lead enforcement authority is satisfied that that person— and the provisions of Schedule 1 to the Act shall have effect for supplementing paragraphs (a) and (b) above.
has committed —
an offence involving fraud or other dishonesty or violence, or
an offence under any provision of this Act, other than section 10(6), section 22(3) or section 23(4), or
any other offence which, at the time it was committed, was specified for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Secretary of State; or
has committed discrimination in the course of estate agency work; or
has failed to comply with any obligation imposed on him under any of sections 15 and 18 to 21 below; or
has failed to comply with an undertaking accepted from him under section 156, 159, 163 or 185 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and given in relation to estate agency work; or
has engaged in a practice which, in relation to estate agency work, has been declared undesirable by an order made by the Secretary of State;
has failed to comply with an enforcement order under section 156 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 which was made against him in relation to estate agency work; or
has failed to comply with a requirement imposed by a final infringement notice given under section 182 of that Act in relation to estate agency work; or
has engaged in estate agency work in relation to residential property in breach of the duty imposed by an order under section 23A(1) below; or
has failed to comply with any requirement imposed on him under paragraph 14 or 27 of Schedule 5 to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 ; or
Subject to subsection (1) above, if the lead enforcement authority is satisfied that any person is unfit to carry on estate agency work generally or of a particular description it may make an order prohibiting that person— and in determining whether a person is so unfit the lead enforcement authority may, in addition to taking account of any matters falling within subsection (1) above, also take account of whether, in the course of estate agency work or any other business activity, that person has engaged in any practice which involves breaches of a duty owed by virtue of any enactment, contract or rule of law and which is material to his fitness to carry on estate agency work.
from doing any estate agency work at all; or
from doing estate agency work of a description specified in the order;
For the purposes of paragraphs (ba) to (d) of subsection (1) above,—
anything done by a person in the course of his employment shall be treated as done by his employer as well as by him, whether or not it was done with the employer’s knowledge or approval, unless the employer shows that he took such steps as were reasonably practicable to prevent the employee from doing that act, or from doing in the course of his employment acts of that description; and
anything done by a person as agent for another person with the authority (whether express or implied, and whether precedent or subsequent) of that person shall be treated as done by that other person as well as by him; and
anything done by a business associate of a person shall be treated as done by that person as well, unless he can show that the act was done without his connivance or consent.
In an order under this section the lead enforcement authority shall specify as the grounds for the order those matters falling within paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (1) above as to which it is satisfied and on which, accordingly, it relies to give it power to make the order.
If the lead enforcement authority considers it appropriate, it may in an order under this section limit the scope of the prohibition imposed by the order to a particular part of or area within the United Kingdom.
An order under paragraph (a)(iii) or paragraph (d) of subsection (1) above—
shall be made by statutory instrument;
shall be laid before Parliament after being made; and
shall cease to have effect (without prejudice to anything previously done in reliance on the order) after the expiry of the period of twenty-eight days beginning with the date on which it was made unless within that period it has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
In reckoning for the purposes of subsection (6)(c) above any period of twenty-eight days, no account shall be taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.
A person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with an order of the lead enforcement authority under this section shall be liable on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction to a fine which on summary conviction shall not exceed the statutory maximum.
If the lead enforcement authority is satisfied that any of subsections (1A), (1B) or (1C) apply in relation to a person it may by order notify that person that it is satisfied of the matters mentioned in that subsection.
in the course of estate agency work any person has failed to comply with any such obligation as is referred to in section 3(1)(c) above (in this section referred to as a " relevant statutory obligation ") or has engaged in such a practice as is referred to in section 3(1) (d) above, and
if that person were again to fail to comply with a relevant statutory obligation or, as the case may be, were to continue to engage in that practice, the Director would consider him unfit as mentioned in subsection (2) of section 3 above and would proceed to make an order under that section,
An order under this section shall state whether, in the opinion of the lead enforcement authority, further conduct as mentioned in subsection (1A)(b) or (1B)(b) or engaging again in the practice specified in the order, as the case may be, is addressed unfit to carry on estate agency work generally or estate agency work of a description specified in the order.
This subsection applies in relation to a person if—
in the course of estate agency work, he has engaged in conduct falling within paragraph (a), (b), (c), (ca) or (cb) of section 3(1); and
were he to engage again in any conduct falling within that paragraph, the lead enforcement authority would consider him unfit and proceed to make a prohibition order.
If, after an order has been made under this section, the person to whom it is addressed engages in further conduct as mentioned in subsection (1A)(b) or (1B)(b) or engages again in the practice specified in the order, as the case may be, in accordance with subsection (2) above; and the lead enforcement authority may proceed to make an order under section 3 above accordingly.
This subsection applies in relation to a person if—
in the course of estate agency work, he has engaged in conduct constituting a failure to comply with—
an undertaking mentioned in section 3(1)(ba); or
an enforcement order mentioned in section 3(1)(bb); and
were he to fail again to comply with that undertaking or order by engaging in the same or similar conduct, the lead enforcement authority would consider him unfit and proceed to make a prohibition order.
This subsection applies in relation to a person if—
in the course of estate agency work, he has engaged in a practice mentioned in section 3(1)(d); and
were he to engage again in that practice, the lead enforcement authority would consider him unfit and proceed to make a prohibition order.
In this section “unfit” means unfit as mentioned in subsection (2) of section 3 and “prohibition order” means an order under that section.
The provisions of Part I of Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect—
with respect to the procedure to be followed before an order is made by the lead enforcement authority under section 3 or section 4 above; and
in connection with the making and coming into operation of any such order.
Where an order is made by the lead enforcement authority under section 3 or section 4 above against a partnership, it may, if the lead enforcement authority thinks it appropriate, have effect also as an order against some or all of the partners individually, and in such a case the order shall so provide and shall specify the names of the partners affected by the order.
Nothing in section 113 of the Equality Act 2010 (proceedings) or Article 62 of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 or Article 51 of the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (restriction of sanctions for breaches of ... those Orders) shall be construed as applying to the making of an order by the lead enforcement authority under section 3 above.
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an order of the Director under section 3 above specifies a conviction as a ground for the order, and
the conviction becomes spent for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 or any corresponding enactment for the time being in force in Northern Ireland,
In any case where— then, unless the order also specifies other grounds which remain valid, the order shall cease to have effect at the end of that period.
an order of the lead enforcement authority under section 3 above specifies as grounds for the order the fact that the person concerned committed discrimination by reason of the existence of any such finding or notice as is referred to in paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to this Act, and
the period expires at the end of which, by virtue of paragraph 3 of that Schedule, the person concerned would no longer be treated for the purposes of section 3(1)(b) above as having committed discrimination by reason only of that finding or notice,
On an application made to it by the person in respect of whom the lead enforcement authority has made an order under section 3 or section 4 above, the lead enforcement authority may revoke or vary the order.
An application under subsection (1) above—
shall state the reasons why the applicant considers that the order should be revoked or varied;
in the case of an application for a variation, shall indicate the variation which the applicant seeks; and
shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
If the lead enforcement authority decides to accede to an application under subsection (1) above, it shall give notice in writing of its decision to the applicant and, upon the giving of that notice, the revocation or, as the case may be, the variation specified in the application shall take effect.
The lead enforcement authority may decide to refuse an application under subsection (1) above—
where it relates to an order under section 3 above, if it considers that the applicant remains unfit to carry on any estate agency work at all or, as the case may be, estate agency work of the description which is prohibited by the order; and
where it relates to an order under section 4 above, if it considers that the applicant may engage in further conduct as mentioned in subsection (1A)(b) or (1B)(b) of that section or engage again in the practice specified in the order, as the case may be. .
If, on an application under subsection (1) above, the lead enforcement authority decides that— the lead enforcement authority may make such a variation accordingly.
it cannot accede to the application because it considers that the applicant remains unfit to carry on any estate agency work at all in a particular part of or area within the United Kingdom or remains unfit to carry on estate agency work of a particular description (either throughout the United Kingdom or in a particular part of or area within it) or, as the case may be, remains likely to fail to comply with a relevant statutory obligation or to engage in a particular practice, but
the order to which the application relates could, without detriment to the public, be varied in favour of the applicant,
The provisions of Part II of Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect in relation to any application to the lead enforcement authority under subsection (1) above and the provisions of Part I of that Schedule shall have effect—
with respect to the procedure to be followed before the lead enforcement authority comes to a decision under subsection (4) or subsection (5) above; and
in connection with the making and coming into operation of such a decision.
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A person who receives notice under paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to this Act of— may appeal against the decision to the First-tier Tribunal.
a decision of the lead enforcement authority to make an order in respect of him under section 3 or section 4 above, or
a decision of the lead enforcement authority under subsection (4) or subsection (5) of section 6 above on an application made by him,
On an appeal under subsection (1) above the First-tier Tribunal may give such directions for disposing of the appeal as it thinks just... .
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as to the period within which and the manner in which such appeals are to be brought;
as to the persons by whom such appeals are to be heard on behalf of the Secretary of State;
as to the manner in which such appeals are to be conducted;
for taxing or otherwise settling any costs or expenses directed to be paid under subsection (2) above and for the enforcement of any such direction; and
as to any other matter connected with such appeals ;
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The lead enforcement authority shall establish and maintain a register on which there shall be entered particulars of every order made by it under section 3 or section 4 above and of its decision on any application for revocation or variation of such an order.
The particulars referred to in subsection (1) above shall include—
the terms of the order and of any variation of it; and
the date on which the order or variation came into operation or is expected to come into operation or if an appeal against the decision is pending and the order or variation has in consequence not come into operation, a statement to that effect.
The lead enforcement authority may, of its own motion or on the application of any person aggrieved, rectify the register by the addition, variation or removal of any particulars; and the provisions of Part II of Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect in relation to an application under this subsection.
If it comes to the attention of the lead enforcement authority that any order of which particulars appear in the register is no longer in operation, it shall remove those particulars from the register.
Any person shall be entitled on payment of the prescribed fee—
to inspect the register during such office hours as may be specified by a general notice made by the lead enforcement authority and to take copies of any entry, or
to obtain from the lead enforcement authority a copy, certified by it to be correct, of any entry in the register.
A certificate given by the lead enforcement authority under subsection (5)(b) above shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that, on the date on which the certificate was given, the particulars contained in the copy to which the certificate relates were entered on the register; and particulars of any matters required to be entered on the register which are so entered shall be evidence and, in Scotland, sufficient evidence of those matters and shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to be correct.
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to determine whether to make an order under section 3 or section 4 above, and
in the exercise of any of his functions under sections 5, 6 and 8 above and 13 and 17 below,
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may specify the way in which and the time within which it is to be complied with and, in the case of a notice requiring the production of documents, the facilities to be afforded for making extracts, or taking copies of, the documents ; and
may be varied or revoked by a subsequent notice.
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refuses or wilfully neglects to comply with a notice under this section, or
in furnishing any information in compliance with such a notice, makes any statement which he knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly makes any statement which is false in a material particular, or
with intent to deceive, produces in compliance with such a notice a document which is false in a material particular,
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It shall be the duty of— to furnish to the lead enforcement authority such information relating to any finding, notice, injunction or order falling within paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to this Act as is in their possession and appears to them to be relevant to the functions of the lead enforcement authority under this Act.
the Equal Opportunities Commission,
the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland, and
the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, and
the Commission for Racial Equality,
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Subject to subsections (3) to (5) below, no information obtained under or by virtue of this Act about any individual shall be disclosed without his consent.
Subject to subsections (3) to (5) below, no information obtained under or by virtue of this Act about any business shall be disclosed except, so long as the business continues to be carried on, with the consent of the person for the time being carrying it on.
Subsections (1) and (2) above do not apply to any disclosure of information made—
for the purpose of facilitating the performance of any functions under this Act, the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Consumer Credit Act 1974 or the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 of any Minister of the Crown, any Northern Ireland department, the Director or a local weights and measures authority in Great Britain, or
in connection with the investigation of any criminal offence or for the purposes of any criminal proceedings, or
for the purposes of any civil proceedings brought under or by virtue of this Act or any of the other enactments specified in paragraph (a) above.
For the purpose of enabling the Director to use, in connection with his functions under this Act, information obtained by him in the exercise of functions under certain other enactments, the following amendments shall be made in provisions restricting disclosure of information, namely,—
at the end of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 133 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 there shall be added the words " the Estate Agents Act 1979, or ";
in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 174 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 after the words " Fair Trading Act 1973 " there shall be added the words " or the Estate Agents Act 1979 "; and
at the end of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 41 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 there shall be added the words " or the Estate Agents Act 1979 ".
Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) above shall be construed—
as limiting the particulars which may be entered in the register; or
as applying to any information which has been made public as part of the register.
Any person who discloses information in contravention of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum and, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or both.
This section applies if—
a person is convicted of an offence by or before a court in the United Kingdom, or
a judgment is given against a person by a court in civil proceedings in the United Kingdom.
The court may make arrangements to bring the conviction or judgment to the attention of the lead enforcement authority if it appears to the court that—
having regard to the functions of the lead enforcement authority under this Act it is expedient for the conviction or judgment to be brought to the attention of the lead enforcement authority, and
without such arrangements the conviction or judgment may not be brought to the attention of the lead enforcement authority.
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A duly authorised officer of an enforcement authority, at all reasonable hours and on production, if required, of his credentials may—
if he has reasonable cause to suspect that an offence has been committed under this Act, in order to ascertain whether it has been committed, enter any premises (other than premises used only as a dwelling);
if he has reasonable cause to suspect that an offence has been committed under this Act, in order to ascertain whether it has been committed, require any person— and take copies of, or of any entry in, the books or documents;
carrying on, or employed in connection with, a business to produce any books or documents relating to it, or
having control of any information relating to a business recorded otherwise than in a legible form, to provide a document containing a legible reproduction of the whole or any part of the information;
seize and detain any books or documents which he has reason to believe may be required as evidence in proceedings for an offence under this Act;
for the purpose of exercising his powers under this subsection to seize books and documents, but only if and to the extent that it is reasonably necessary for securing that the provisions of this Act are duly observed, require any person having authority to do so to break open any container and, if that person does not comply, break it open himself.
An officer seizing books or documents in exercise of his powers under this section shall not do so without informing the person from whom he seizes them.
If and so long as any books or documents which have been seized under this section are not required as evidence in connection with proceedings which have been begun for an offence under this Act, the enforcement authority by whose officer they were seized shall afford to the person to whom the books or documents belong and to any person authorised by him in writing reasonable facilities to inspect them and to take copies of or make extracts from them.
If a justice of the peace, on sworn information in writing, or, in Scotland, a sheriff or a justice of the peace, on evidence on oath.— the justice or, as the case may be, the sheriff may by warrant under his hand, which shall continue in force for a period of one month, authorise an officer of an enforcement authority to enter the premises, by force if need be.
is satisfied that there is reasonable ground to believe either—
that any books or documents which a duly authorised officer has power to inspect under this section are on any premises and their inspection is likely to disclose evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act, or
that an offence under this Act has been, or is being or is about to be, committed on any premises ; and
is also satisfied either—
that admission to the premises has been or is likely to be refused and that notice of intention to apply for a warrant under this subsection has been given to the occupier, or
that an application for admission, or the giving of such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry or that the premises are unoccupied or that the occupier is temporarily absent and it might defeat the object of the entry to wait for his return,
An officer entering premises by virtue of this section may take such other persons and equipment with him as he thinks necessary, and on leaving premises entered by virtue of a warrant under subsection (4) above shall, if the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent, leave them as effectively secured against trespassers as he found them.
The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that, in cases specified in the regulations, an officer of a local weights and measures authority is not to be taken to be duly authorised for the purposes of this section unless he is authorised by the Director.
The power to make regulations under subsection (6) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Nothing in this section shall be taken to require a person who has acted as counsel or solicitor for any person to produce a document containing a privileged communication made by or to him in that capacity or authorises the seizing of any such document in his possession.
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In this Act “clients’ money”, in relation to a person engaged in estate agency work, means any money received by him in the course of that work which is a contract or pre-contract deposit— whether that money is held or received by him as agent, bailee, stakeholder or in any other capacity.
in respect of the acquisition of an interest in land in the United Kingdom, or
in respect of a connected contract,
In this Act “contract deposit” means any sum paid by a purchaser—
which in whole or in part is, or is intended to form part of, the consideration for acquiring such an interest as is referred to in subsection (1)(a) above or for a connected contract; and
which is paid by him at or after the time at which he acquires the interest or enters into an enforceable contract to acquire it.
In this Act “pre-contract deposit” means any sum paid by any person— and which is paid by him at a time before he either acquires the interest or enters into an enforceable contract to acquire it.
in whole or in part as an earnest of his intention to acquire such an interest as is referred to in subsection (1)(a) above, or
in whole or in part towards meeting any liability of his in respect of the consideration for the acquisition of such an interest which will arise if he acquires or enters into an enforceable contract to acquire the interest, or
in respect of a connected contract,
In this Act “connected contract”, in relation to the acquisition of an interest in land, means a contract which is conditional upon such an acquisition or upon entering into an enforceable contract for such an acquisition (whether or not it is also conditional on other matters).
It is hereby declared that clients’ money received by any person in the course of estate agency work in England, Wales or Northern Ireland—
is held by him on trust for the person who is entitled to call for it to be paid over to him or to be paid on his direction or to have it otherwise credited to him, or
if it is received by him as stakeholder, is held by him on trust for the person who may become so entitled on the occurrence of the event against which the money is held.
It is hereby declared that clients’ money received by any person in the course of estate agency work in Scotland is held by him as agent for the person who is entitled to call for it to be paid over to him or to be paid on his direction or to have it otherwise credited to him.
The provisions of sections 14 and 15 below as to the investment of clients’ money, the keeping of accounts and records and accounting for interest shall have effect in place of the corresponding duties which would be owed by a person holding clients’ money as trustee, or in Scotland as agent, under the general law.
Where an order of the lead enforcement authority under section 3 above has the effect of prohibiting a person from holding clients’ money the order may contain provision— but nothing in this subsection shall affect the power conferred by section 41 of the Trustee Act 1925 or section 40 of the Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958 to appoint a new trustee to hold clients’ money.
appointing another person as trustee, or in Scotland as agent, in place of the person to whom the order relates to hold and deal with clients’ money held by that person when the order comes into effect; and
requiring the expenses and such reasonable remuneration of the new trustee or agent as may be specified in the order to be paid by the person to whom the order relates or, if the order so provides, out of the clients’ money;
For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the fact that any person has or may have a lien on clients’ money held by him does not affect the operation of this section and also that nothing in this section shall prevent such a lien from being given effect.
Subject to such provision as may be made by accounts regulations, every person who receives clients’ money in the course of estate agency work shall, without delay, pay the money into a client account maintained by him or by a person in whose employment he is.
In this Act a “client account” means a current or deposit account which—
is with an institution authorised for the purposes of this section, and
is in the name of a person who is or has been engaged in estate agency work; and
contains in its title the word “client”.
The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations (in this section referred to as “accounts regulations”) as to the opening and keeping of client accounts, the keeping of accounts and records relating to clients’ money and the auditing of those accounts; and such regulations shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
As to the opening and keeping of client accounts, accounts regulations may in particular specify—
the institutions which are authorised for the purposes of this section;
any persons or classes of persons to whom, or any circumstances in which, the obligation imposed by subsection (1) above does not apply;
any circumstances in which money other than clients’ money may be paid into a client account; and
the occasions on which, and the persons to whom, money held in a client account may be paid out.
As to the auditing of accounts relating to clients’ money, accounts regulations may in particular make provision—
requiring such accounts to be drawn up in respect of specified accounting periods and to be audited by a qualified auditor within a specified time after the end of each such period;
requiring the auditor to report whether in his opinion the requirements of this Act and of the accounts regulations have been complied with or have been substantially complied with;
as to the matters to which such a report is to relate and the circumstances in which a report of substantial compliance may be given; and
requiring a person who maintains a client account to produce on demand to a duly authorised officer of an enforcement authority the latest auditor’s report.
Subject to subsection (7) below, “qualified auditor” in subsection (5)(a) above means a person who is eligible for appointment as a statutory auditor under Part 42 of the Companies Act 2006.
a person who is a member of one or more bodies of accountants established in the United Kingdom and for the time being recognised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of section 161(1)(a) of the Companies Act 1948 or, in Northern Ireland, recognised by the Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland for the purposes of section 155(1)(a) of the Companies Act (Northern Ireland) 1960 ; or
a person who is for the time being authorised by the Secretary of State under section 161(1)(6) of the Companies Act 1948 or, in Northern Ireland, by the Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland under section 155(1)(b) of the Companies Act (Northern Ireland) 1960; or
in the case of a client account maintained by a company, a person who is qualified to audit the accounts of the company by virtue of section 13(1) of the Companies Act 1967 (unqualified auditors of former exempt private companies); or
a Scottish firm of which all the members are qualified auditors within paragraphs (a) to (c) above.
A person is not a qualified auditor for the purposes of subsection (5)(a) above if, in the case of a client account maintained by a company, he is prohibited from acting as statutory auditor of the company by virtue of section 1214 of the Companies Act 2006 (independence requirement).
A person who— shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
contravenes any provision of this Act or of accounts regulations as to the manner in which clients’ money is to be dealt with or accounts and records relating to such money are to be kept, or
fails to produce an auditor’s report when required to do so by accounts regulations,
Accounts regulations may make provision for requiring a person who has received any clients’ money to account, in such cases as may be prescribed by the regulations, to the person who is or becomes entitled to the money for the interest which was, or could have been, earned by putting the money in a separate deposit account at an institution authorised for the purposes of section 14 above.
The cases in which a person may be required by accounts regulations to account for interest as mentioned in subsection (1) above may be defined, amongst other things, by reference to the amount of the sum held or received by him or the period for which it is likely to be retained, or both.
Except as provided by accounts regulations and subject to subsection (4) below, a person who maintains a client account in which he keeps clients’ money generally shall not be liable to account to any person for interest received by him on money in that account.
Nothing in this section or in accounts regulations shall affect any arrangement in writing, whenever made, between a person engaged in estate agency work and any other person as to the application of, or of any interest on, money in which that other person has or may have an interest.
Failure of any person to comply with any provision of accounts regulations made by virtue of this section may be taken into account by the lead enforcement authority in accordance with section 3(1)(c) above and may form the basis of a civil claim for interest which was or should have been earned on clients’ money but shall not render that person liable to any criminal penalty.
In this section “accounts regulations” has the same meaning as in section 14 above.
Subject to the provisions of this section, a person may not accept clients’ money in the course of estate agency work unless there are in force authorised arrangements under which, in the event of his failing to account for such money to the person entitled to it, his liability will be made good by another.
The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument, which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament,—
specify any persons or classes of persons to whom subsection (1) above does not apply;
specify arrangements which are authorised for the purposes of this section including arrangements to which an enforcement authority nominated for the purpose by the Secretary of State or any other person so nominated is a party;
specify the terms and conditions upon which any payment is to be made under such arrangements and any circumstances in which the right to any such payment may be excluded or modified;
provide that any limit on the amount of any such payment is to be not less than a specified amount;
require a person providing authorised arrangements covering any person carrying on estate agency work to issue a certificate in a form specified in the regulations certifying that arrangements complying with the regulations have been made with respect to that person; and
prescribe any matter required to be prescribed for the purposes of subsection (4) below.
Every guarantee entered into by a person (in this subsection referred to as “the insurer”) who provides authorised arrangements covering another person (in this subsection referred to as “the agent”) carrying on estate agency work shall enure for the benefit of every person from whom the agent has received clients’ money as if—
the guarantee were contained in a contract made by the insurer with every such person; and
except in Scotland, that contract were under seal; and
where the guarantee is given by two or more insurers, they had bound themselves jointly and severally.
No person who carries on estate agency work may describe himself as an “estate agent” or so use any name or in any way hold himself out as to indicate or reasonably be understood to indicate that he is carrying on a business in the course of which he is prepared to act as a broker in the acquisition or disposal of interests in land unless, in such manner as may be prescribed,— any prescribed information relating to arrangements authorised for the purposes of this section.
there is displayed at his place of business, and
there is included in any relevant document issued or displayed in connection with his business,
For the purposes of subsection (4) above,—
any business premises at which a person carries on estate agency work and to which the public has access is a place of business of his; and
“relevant document” means any advertisement, notice or other written material which might reasonably induce any person to use the services of another in connection with the acquisition or disposal of an interest in land.
A person who fails to comply with any provision of subsection (1) or subsection (4) above or of regulations under subsection (2) above which is binding on him shall be liable on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction to a fine which, on summary conviction, shall not exceed the statutory maximum.
If, on an application made to it in that behalf, the lead enforcement authority considers that a person engaged in estate agency work may, without loss of adequate protection to consumers, be exempted from all or any of the provisions of subsection (1) of section 16 above or of regulations under subsection (2) of that section, it may issue to that person a certificate of exemption under this section.
An application under subsection (1) above—
shall state the reasons why the applicant considers that he should be granted a certificate of exemption; and
shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
A certificate of exemption under this section—
may impose conditions of exemption on the person to whom it is issued;
may be issued to have effect for a period specified in the certificate or without limit of time.
If and so long as— that person shall be exempt, to the extent so specified, from the provisions of subsection (1) of section 16 above and of any regulations made under subsection (2) of that section.
a certificate of exemption has effect, and
the person to whom it is issued complies with any conditions of exemption specified in the certificate,
If the lead enforcement authority decides to refuse an application under subsection (1) above it shall give the applicant notice of its decision and of the reasons for it, including any facts which in its opinion justify the decision.
If a person who made an application under subsection (1) above is aggrieved by a decision of the lead enforcement authority— he may appeal against the decision to the Secretary of State; and subsections (2) to (6) of section 7 above shall apply to such an appeal as they apply to an appeal under that section.
to refuse his application, or
to grant him a certificate of exemption subject to conditions,
A person who fails to comply with any condition of exemption specified in a current certificate of exemption issued to him shall be liable on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction to a fine which, on summary conviction, shall not exceed the statutory maximum.
Subject to subsection (2) below, before any person (in this section referred to as “the client”) enters into a contract with another (in this section referred to as “the agent”) under which the agent will engage in estate agency work on behalf of the client, the agent shall give the client—
the information specified in subsection (2) below; and
any additional information which may be prescribed under subsection (4) below.
The following is the information to be given under subsection (1)(a) above—
particulars of the circumstances in which the client will become liable to pay remuneration to the agent for carrying out estate agency work;
particulars of the amount of the agent’s remuneration for carrying out estate agency work or, if that amount is not ascertainable at the time the information is given, particulars of the manner in which the remuneration will be calculated;
particulars of any payments which do not form part of the agent’s remuneration for carrying out estate agency work or a contract or pre-contract deposit but which, under the contract referred to in subsection (1) above, will or may in certain circumstances be payable by the client to the agent or any other person and particulars of the circumstances in which any such payments will become payable; and
particulars of the amount of any payment falling within paragraph (c) above or, if that amount is not ascertainable at the time the information is given, an estimate of that amount together with particulars of the manner in which it will be calculated.
If, at any time after the client and the agent have entered into such a contract as is referred to in subsection (1) above, the parties are agreed that the terms of the contract should be varied so far as they relate to the carrying out of estate agency work or any payment falling within subsection (2)(c) above, the agent shall give the client details of any changes which, at the time the statement is given, fall to be made in the information which was given to the client under subsection (1) above before the contract was entered into.
The Secretary of State may by regulations— and the power to make regulations under this subsection shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
prescribe for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above additional information relating to any estate agency work to be performed under the contract; and
make provision with respect to the time and the manner in which the obligation of the agent under subsection (1) or subsection (3) above is to be performed;
If any person— the contract or, as the case may be, the variation of it shall not be enforceable by him except pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (6) below.
fails to comply with the obligation under subsection (1) above with respect to a contract or with any provision of regulations under subsection (4) above relating to that obligation, or
fails to comply with the obligation under subsection (3) above with respect to any variation of a contract or with any provision of regulations under subsection (4) above relating to that obligation,
If, in a case where subsection (5) above applies in relation to a contract or a variation of a contract, the agent concerned makes an application to the court for the enforcement of the contract or, as the case may be, of a contract as varied by the variation,—
the court shall dismiss the application if, but only if, it considers it just to do so having regard to prejudice caused to the client by the agent’s failure to comply with his obligation and the degree of culpability for the failure; and
where the court does not dismiss the application, it may nevertheless order that any sum payable by the client under the contract or, as the case may be, under the contract as varied shall be reduced or discharged so as to compensate the client for prejudice suffered as a result of the agent’s failure to comply with his obligation.
In this section—
references to the enforcement of a contract or variation include the withholding of money in pursuance of a lien for money alleged to be due under the contract or as a result of the variation; and
“the court” means any court having jurisdiction to hear and determine matters arising out of the contract.
No person may, in the course of estate agency work in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, seek from any other person (in this section referred to as a “prospective purchaser”) who wishes to acquire an interest in land in the United Kingdom, a payment which, if made, would constitute a pre-contract deposit in excess of the prescribed limit.
If, in the course of estate agency work, any person receives from a prospective purchaser a pre-contract deposit which exceeds the prescribed limit, so much of that deposit as exceeds the prescribed limit shall forthwith be either repaid to the prospective purchaser or paid to such other person as the prospective purchaser may direct.
In relation to a prospective purchaser, references in subsections (1) and (2) above to a pre-contract deposit shall be treated as references to the aggregate of all the payments which constitute pre-contract deposits in relation to his proposed acquisition of a particular interest in land in the United Kingdom.
In this section “the prescribed limit” means such limit as the Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe; and such a limit may be so prescribed either as a specific amount or as a percentage or fraction of a price or other amount determined in any particular case in accordance with the regulations.
The power to make regulations under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Failure by any person to comply with subsection (1) or subsection (2) above may be taken into account by the lead enforcement authority in accordance with section 3(1)(c) above but shall not render that person liable to any criminal penalty nor constitute a ground for any civil claim, other than a claim for the recovery of such an excess as is referred to in subsection (2) above.
This section does not form part of the law of Scotland.
No person may, in the course of estate agency work in Scotland, seek or accept from any person (in this section referred to as a “prospective purchaser”) who wishes to acquire an interest in land in the United Kingdom a payment which, if made, would constitute a pre-contract deposit or, as the case may be, which constitutes such a deposit.
If, in the course of estate agency work in Scotland, any person receives from a prospective purchaser a payment which constitutes a pre-contract deposit, it shall forthwith be either repaid to the prospective purchaser or paid to such person as the prospective purchaser shall direct.
Failure by any person to comply with subsection (1) or subsection (2) above may be taken into account by the lead enforcement authority in accordance with section 3(1)(c) above but shall not render that person liable to any criminal penalty nor constitute a ground for any civil claim, other than a claim under subsection (2) above for the recovery of the pre-contract deposit.
This section forms part of the law of Scotland only.
A person who is engaged in estate agency work (in this section referred to as an “estate agent”) and has a personal interest in any land shall not enter into negotiations with any person with respect to the acquisition or disposal by that person of any interest in that land until the estate agent has disclosed to that person the nature and extent of his personal interest in it.
In any case where the result of a proposed disposal of an interest in land or of such a proposed disposal and other transactions would be that an estate agent would have a personal interest in that land, the estate agent shall not enter into negotiations with any person with respect to the proposed disposal until he has disclosed to that person the nature and extent of that personal interest.
Subsections (1) and (2) above apply where an estate agent is negotiating on his own behalf as well as where he is negotiating in the course of estate agency work.
An estate agent may not seek or receive a contract or pre-contract deposit in respect of the acquisition or proposed acquisition of—
a personal interest of his in land in the United Kingdom; or
any other interest in any such land in which he has a personal interest.
For the purposes of this section, an estate agent has a personal interest in land if—
he has a beneficial interest in the land or in the proceeds of sale of any interest in it; or
he knows or might reasonably be expected to know that any of the following persons has such a beneficial interest, namely,—
his employer or principal, or
any employee or agent of his, or
any associate of his or of any person mentioned in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) above.
Failure by an estate agent to comply with any of the preceding provisions of this section may be taken into account by the lead enforcement authority in accordance with section 3(1)(c) above but shall not render the estate agent liable to any criminal penalty nor constitute a ground for any civil claim.
The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision for ensuring that persons engaged in estate agency work satisfy minimum standards of competence.
If the Secretary of State exercises his power to make regulations under subsection (1) above, he shall in the regulations prescribe a degree of practical experience which is to be taken as evidence of competence and, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, the regulations may, in addition,— and any reference in the following provisions of this section to a person who has attained the required standard of competence is a reference to a person who has that degree of practical experience which, in accordance with the regulations, is to be taken as evidence of competence or, where the regulations so provide, holds such qualifications or otherwise fulfils such conditions as, in accordance with the regulations, are to be taken to be evidence of competence.
prescribe professional or academic qualifications which shall also be taken to be evidence of competence;
designate any body of persons as a body which may itself specify professional qualifications the holding of which is to be taken as evidence of competence;
make provision for and in connection with the establishment of a body having power to examine and inquire into the competence of persons engaged or professing to engage in estate agency work; and
delegate to a body established as mentioned in paragraph (c) above powers of the Secretary of State with respect to the matters referred to in paragraph (a) above;
After the day appointed for the coming into force of this subsection,— and any person who contravenes this subsection shall be liable on conviction, on indictment or on summary conviction to a fine which, on summary conviction, shall not exceed the statutory maximum.
no individual may engage in estate agency work on his own account unless he has attained the required standard of competence;
no member of a partnership may engage in estate agency work on the partnership’s behalf unless such number of the partners as may be prescribed have attained the required standard of competence; and
no body corporate or unincorporated association may engage in estate agency work unless such numbers and descriptions of the officers, members or employees as may be prescribed have attained the required standard of competence;
In subsection (3) above “prescribed” means prescribed by the Secretary of State by order made by statutory instrument, which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
No regulations shall be made under this section unless a draft of them has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.
An individual who is made bankrupt after the day appointed for the coming into force of this section or, in Scotland, whose estate is sequestrated after that day shall not engage in estate agency work of any description except as an employee of another person.
The prohibition imposed on an individual by subsection (1) above shall cease to have effect if and when—
the bankruptcy order made against him is annulled, or, in Scotland, the sequestration of his estate is recalled or reduced; or
he is discharged from bankruptcy.
An individual in respect of whom a debt relief order (under Part 7A of the Insolvency Act 1986) is made shall not engage in estate agency work of any description except as an employee of another person
The references in this section to employment of an individual by another person does not include employment of him by a body corporate of which he is a director or controller.
If a person engages in estate agency work in contravention of this section he shall be liable on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction to a fine which on summary conviction shall not exceed the statutory maximum.
The prohibition imposed on an individual by subsection (1A) shall cease to have effect if and when—
the debt relief order is revoked for reasons falling within section 251(L)(2)(a) or (c) of the Insolvency Act 1986;
the individual is discharged from all the qualifying debts specified under the debt relief order at the end of the moratorium period applicable to the order; or
the debt relief order is revoked and a period of one year has elapsed beginning with the effective date for the order.
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in section 8(2) and section 19(4), for " 5A " there shall be substituted " 6A "; and
in Schedule 1, paragraph 5A is hereby repealed and after paragraph 6 there shall be inserted—
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Subject to section 26(3) below, it is the duty of the lead enforcement authority—
generally to superintend the working and enforcement of this Act, and
where necessary or expedient, itself to take steps to enforce this Act.
It is the duty of the lead enforcement authority, so far as appears to it to be practicable and having regard both to the national interest and the interests of persons engaged in estate agency work and of consumers, to keep under review and from time to time advise the Secretary of State about—
social and commercial developments in the United Kingdom and elsewhere relating to the carrying on of estate agency work and related activities; and
the working and enforcement of this Act.
The lead enforcement authority shall arrange for the dissemination, in such form and manner as it considers appropriate, of such information and advice as it may appear to it expedient to give the public in the United Kingdom about the operation of this Act.
Without prejudice to section 25(1) above, the following authorities (in this Act referred to as “enforcement authorities”) have a duty to enforce this Act—
the lead enforcement authority,
in Great Britain, a local weights and measures authority, and
in Northern Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland .
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twenty-eight days have expired since that notice was given, or
the Director has notified them of receipt of the notice and summary.
For the investigatory powers available to an authority for the purposes of the duty in subsection (1), see Schedule 5 to the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Nothing in this section or in section 25 above authorises an enforcement authority to institute proceedings in Scotland for an offence.
Every local weights and measures authority shall, whenever the lead enforcement authority requires, report to it in such form and with such particulars as it requires on the exercise of their functions under this Act.
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Subsections (2), (3) and (5) of section 250 of the Local Government Act 1972 (evidence and costs at local inquiries), and, in a case where the Secretary of State so directs, subsection (4) of that section (costs of department), shall apply to an inquiry held under subsection (5) above as if it were an inquiry held in pursuance of that section.
The person holding an inquiry under subsection (5) above shall make a written report of the results to the Secretary of State, who shall publish it together with such observations on it (if any) as he thinks fit.
In the application of this section to Scotland, for the references in subsection (6) above to subsections (2), (3) and (5) of section 250 of the Local Government Act 1972 and subsection (4) of that section, there shall be substituted respectively references to subsections (4), (5) and (8) of section 210 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and subsection (7) of that section.
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Any person who— shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.
wilfully obstructs an authorised officer, or
wilfully fails to comply with any requirement properly made to him under section 11 above by an authorised officer, or
without reasonable cause fails to give an authorised officer other assistance or information he may reasonably require in performing his functions under this Act, or
in giving information to an authorised officer, makes any statement which he knows to be false,
A person who is not an authorised officer but purports to act as such shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.
In this section " authorised officer " means a duly authorised officer of an enforcement authority who is acting in pursuance of this Act.
Nothing in subsection (1) above requires a person to answer any question or give any information if to do so might incriminate that person or that person's husband or wife.
In any proceedings for an offence under this Act it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of an offence by himself or any person under his control.
Where an offence under this Act committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of that offence and shall be lible to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Any notice which under this Act is to be given to any person by the lead enforcement authority shall be so given—
by delivering it to him, or
by leaving it at his proper address, or
by sending it by post to him at that address.
Any such notice may,—
in the case of a body corporate or unincorporated association, be given to the secretary or clerk of that body or association; and
in the case of a partnership, be given to a partner or a person having the control or management of the partnership business.
Any application or other document which under this Act may be made or given to the lead enforcement authority may be so made or given by sending it by post to the lead enforcement authority at such address as may be specified for the purposes of this Act by a general notice.
For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above and section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (service of documents by post) in its application to those subsections, the proper address of any person to whom a notice is to be given shall be his last-known address, except that— and for the purposes of this subsection the principal office of a company registered outside the United Kingdom or of an unincorporated association or partnership carrying on business outside the United Kingdom shall be their principal office within the United Kingdom.
in the case of a body corporate or their secretary or clerk, it shall be the address of the registered or principal office of that body;
in the case of an unincorporated association or their secretary or clerk, it shall be that of the principal office of that association;
in the case of a partnership or a person having the control or management of the partnership business, it shall be that of the principal office of the partnership;
If the person to be given any notice mentioned in subsection (1) above has specified an address within the United Kingdom other than his proper address, within the meaning of subsection (4) above, as the one at which he or someone on his behalf will accept notices under this Act, that address shall also be treated for the purposes mentioned in subsection (4) above as his proper address.
Before making any order or regulations under any provision of this Act to which this subsection applies, the Secretary of State shall consult the lead enforcement authority, such bodies representative of persons carrying on estate agency work, such bodies representative of consumers and such other persons as he thinks fit.
Subsection (1) above applies to paragraphs (a)(iii) and (d) of section 3(1) above and to sections 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 22 above.
Any power of the Secretary of State to make orders or regulations under this Act—
may be so exercised as to make different provision in relation to different cases or classes of cases and to exclude certain cases or classes of case; and
includes power to make such supplemental, incidental and transitional provisions as he thinks fit.
The provisions of this section shall have effect for determining the meaning of “business associate” and “controller” for the purposes of this Act.
As respects acts done in the course of a business carried on by a body corporate, every director and conroller of that body is a business associate of it.
As respects acts done in the course of a business carried on by a partnership, each partner is a business associate of every other member of the partnership and also of the partnership itself and, in the case of a partner which is a body corporate, every person who, by virtue of subsection (2) above, is a business associate of that body is also a business associate of every other member of the partnership.
As respects acts done in the course of a business carried on by an unincorporated association, every officer of the association and any other person who has the management or control of its activities is a business associate of that association.
In relation to a body corporate “controller” means a person—
in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the body corporate or of any other body corporate which is its controller (or any of them) are accustomed to act; or
who, either alone or with any associate or associates, is entitled to exercise, or control the exercise of, one third or more of the voting power at any general meeting of the body corporate or of another body corporate which is its controller.
In this Act “associate” includes a business associate and otherwise has the meaning given by the following provisions of this section.
A person is an associate of another if he is the spouse or civil partner or a relative of that other or of a business associate of that other.
In subsection (2) above “relative” means brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal ancestor or linear descendant, ... references to a spouse include a former spouse and a reputed spouse, and references to a civil partner include a former civil partner and a reputed civil partner; and for the purposes of this subsection a relationship shall be established as if an illegitimate child or step-child of a person were the legitimate child of the relationship in question .
A body corporate is an associate of another body corporate—
if the same person is a controller of both, or a person is a controller of one and persons who are his associates, or he and persons who are his associates, are controllers of the other; or
if a group of two or more persons is a controller of each company, and the groups either consist of the same persons or could be regarded as consisting of the same persons by treating (in one or more cases) a member of either group as replaced by a person of whom he is an associate.
An unincorporated association is an associate of another unincorporated association if any person—
is an officer of both associations;
has the management or control of the activities of both associations; or
is an officer of one association and has the management or control of the activities of the other association.
A partnership is an associate of another partnership if—
any person is a member of both partnerships; or
a person who is a member of one partnership is an associate of a member of the other partnership; or
a member of one partnership has an associate who is also an associate of a member of the other partnership.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
" associate " has the meaning assigned to it by section 32 above and " business associate" has the meaning assigned to it by section 31 above;
“general notice” means a notice published by the lead enforcement authority at a time and in a manner appearing to it suitable for securing that the notice is seen within a reasonable time by persons likely to be affected by it;
“connected contract”, in relation to the acquisition of an interest in land, has the meaning assigned to it by section 12(4) above;
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“ombudsman” means the independent person mentioned in section 23A(8)(a);
“the lead enforcement authority” has the meaning given by section 24A;
" connected contract", in relation to the acquisition of an interest in land, has the meaning assigned to it by section 12(4) above;
“order” means an order under subsection (1);
in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, the prescribed sum within the meaning of section 28 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (at the passing of this Act £1,000); and
in Scotland, the prescribed sum within the meaning of section 289B of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (at the passing of this Act £1,000);
“pre-contract deposit” has the meaning assigned to it by section 12(3) above;
The power to make regulations under subsection (1) above prescribing fees shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
There shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament—
any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in consequence of the provisions of this Act; and
any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of moneys so provided under any other Act.
Any fees paid to the lead enforcement authority under this Act shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
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The Estate Agents Act 1979 (c. 38). Included, except so far as relates to fees paid or to be paid to the Director General of Fair Trading.
For the purpose of the following provisions of the Scotland Act 1978, this Act shall be deemed to have been passed before the passing of that Act, namely—
section 21(2) (executive powers);
subsections (1) and (2) of section 22 (subordinate instruments);
section 60 (modification of enactments providing for payments out of moneys provided by Parliament etc.); and
section 82 (construction and amendment of existing enactments).
This Act may be cited as the Estate Agents Act 1979.
This Act shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint and different days may be so appointed for different provisions and for different purposes.
This Act extends to Northern Ireland.
The Secretary of State may by order require persons who engage in estate agency work in relation to residential property (“relevant estate agency work”) to be members of an approved redress scheme for dealing with complaints in connection with that work.
An order may provide for the duty to apply—
only to specified descriptions of persons who engage in estate agency work; and
in relation to any relevant estate agency work carried out by a person to whom the duty applies or only in relation to specified descriptions of work (which may be framed by reference to descriptions of residential property).
An order may also provide for the duty not to apply in relation to complaints of any specified description (which may be framed by reference to a description of person making a complaint).
In subsections (1) and (2)(a), the reference to persons who engage in estate agency work does not include a reference to persons who engage in that work in the course of their employment.
The power to make an order shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Before making an order the Secretary of State must be satisfied that all persons who are to be subject to the duty will be eligible to join a suitable approved redress scheme before the duty applies to them. For this purpose the Secretary of State may disregard persons who cannot lawfully engage in the relevant estate agency work to which the duty applies.
Nothing in this section prevents an approved redress scheme from providing—
for membership to be open to persons who are not subject to the duty;
for the investigation and determination of any complaints in relation to which the duty does not apply, where the members concerned have voluntarily accepted the jurisdiction of the scheme over those complaints;
for the exclusion from investigation and determination under the scheme of any complaint in such cases or circumstances as may be specified in or determined under the scheme.
For the purposes of this section—
a “redress scheme” is a scheme which provides for complaints against members of the scheme to be investigated and determined by an independent person (“the ombudsman”);
a redress scheme is “approved” if—
it is for the time being approved by the lead enforcement authority under Schedule 3; or
it is administered by or on behalf of the Secretary of State and designated by him as an approved redress scheme for the purposes of this section;
a “complaint” is a complaint made by a person by virtue of his being or having been a seller or buyer of residential property;
“seller”, in relation to residential property, means a person who claims that he is or may become interested in disposing of an interest in land in respect of that property (and includes a person who disposes of such an interest);
“buyer”, in relation to residential property, means a person who claims that he is or may become interested in acquiring an interest in land in respect of that property (and includes a person who acquires such an interest).
The Secretary of State may not designate a scheme as an approved redress scheme for the purposes of this section unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that the scheme is one which could be approved by the lead enforcement authority in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 5 of Schedule 3.
Schedule 3 (which makes further provision in connection with the approval of redress schemes etc.) shall have effect.
In this section—
“the duty” means the requirement under an order to be a member of an approved redress scheme.
If a duly authorised officer of an enforcement authority ... believes that a person has engaged (or is engaging) in estate agency work in relation to residential property in breach of the duty imposed by an order under section 23A(1) he may give a penalty charge notice to that person.
A penalty charge notice may not be given after the end of the period of six months beginning with the day (or in the case of a continuing breach the last day) on which the breach of duty was committed.
Schedule 4 (which makes further provision in connection with penalty charge notices) shall have effect.
An enforcement authority other than the lead enforcement authority must notify the lead enforcement authority if it believes that a person has engaged (or is engaging) in estate agency work in relation to residential property in breach of the duty imposed by an order under section 23A(1).
For the purposes of sections 23A and 23B “residential property”—
has the meaning given by subsection (2); but
does not include land of a description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.
“Residential property” means any land that consists of or includes a building or part of a building—
the whole or part of which is used as a dwelling or as more than one dwelling; or
that is (or is to be) offered for sale on the basis that the whole or part of it is suitable for such use or is intended to be so suitable by the time the seller disposes of his interest in it.
In subsection (2), the reference to a building or part of a building (so far as relating to paragraph (b) of that subsection) includes a reference to a building or part that is being or is to be constructed.
A description of land specified by order under subsection (1)(b) may be framed by reference to the purpose or purposes for which the land (or part of it) is or is intended to be used.
The power to make an order under subsection (1)(b) shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Section 3(1).
A person is not to be treated for the purposes of section 3(1)(a) of this Act as having committed an offence if he has been convicted of that offence and that conviction is to be treated as spent for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 or any corresponding enactment for the time being in force in Northern Ireland.
where a finding of discrimination has been made against him in proceedings under section 66 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (in this Schedule referred to as “the 1975 Act”) and the finding has become final;
A person shall be deemed to have committed discrimination for the purposes of section 3(1)(b) of this Act in the following cases only, namely— and the finding, notice, injunction or order related or relates to discrimination falling within Part III of the 1975 Act or the 1976 Act (discrimination in fields other than employment).
where a non-discrimination notice has been served on him under the 1975 Act and the notice has become final;
A person commits discrimination for the purposes of section 3(1)(b) in the following cases only. The first case is where— The second case is where— The third case is where— The relevant equality provisions are—
if he is for the time being subject to the restraints of an injunction or order granted against him in proceedings under section 71 (persistent discrimination) or section 72(4) (enforcement of sections 38 to 40) of the 1975 Act;
if, on an application under section 72(2)(a) of the 1975 Act, there has been a finding against him that a contravention of section 38, section 39 or section 40 of that Act has occurred and that finding has become final;
where a finding of discrimination has been made against him in proceedings under section 57 of the Race Relations Act 1976 (in this Schedule referred to as “the 1976 Act”) and the finding has become final;
where a non-discrimination notice has been served on him under the 1976 Act and the notice has become final;
if he is for the time being subject to the restraints of an injunction or order granted against him in proceedings under section 62 (persistent discrimination) or section 63(4) (enforcement of sections 29 to 31) of the 1976 Act; or
if, on an application under section 63(2)(a) of the 1976 Act, there has been a finding against him that a contravention of section 29, section 30 or section 31 of that Act has occurred and that finding has become final;
After the expiry of the period of five years beginning on the day on which any such finding or notice as is referred to in paragraph 2 above became final, no person shall be treated for the purposes of section 3(1)(b) of this Act as having committed a contravention of a relevant equality provision by reason only of that finding or notice.
For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3 “discrimination” and “victimisation” have the same meaning as in the Equality Act 2010.
In the application of paragraphs 2 to 4 above to Northern Ireland references to the 1975 Act shall be construed as references to the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, and in particular— and there shall be omitted sub-paragraphs (e) to (h) of paragraph 2, sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 4 and so much of paragraph 3 as relates to findings or notices under the 1976 Act.
the references to sections 38, 39 and 40 of the 1975 Act shall be construed as references to Articles 39, 40 and 41 of that Order;
the reference to subsections (1) and (4) of section 82 of the 1975 Act shall be construed as a reference to paragraphs (1), (2) and (5) or Article 2 of that Order; and
other references to numbered sections of the 1975 Act shall be construed as references to the Articles of that Order bearing the same number;
In the application of paragraphs 2 to 4 above to Northern Ireland references to the 1976 Act shall be construed as references to the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, and in particular the references to sections 29, 30, 31, 57, 62, 63(2)(a) and (4) and 78(1) and (4) of the 1976 Act shall be construed as references to Articles 29, 30, 31, 54, 59, 60(2)(a) and (4) and 2(2) and (3) respectively of that Order.
Sections 5, 6 and 8(3).
In this Schedule— In the case of a proposal of the lead enforcement authority to make an order under section 3 or section 4 of this Act against a partnership where, by virtue of section 5(2) of this Act, it intends that the order shall have effect as an order against some or all of the partners individually, references in the following provisions of this Schedule to the person affected shall be construed, except where the contrary is provided, as references to each of the partners affected by the order, as well as to the partnership itself.
subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, references to “the person affected” are to the person in respect of whom the lead enforcement authority proposes to make, or has made, an order under section 3 or section 4 of this Act, or who has made an application under section 6 of this Act for the variation or revocation of such an order; and
references to the lead enforcement authority’s “proposal” are to any proposal of its to make such an order or to make a decision under subsection (4) or subsection (5) of section 6 of this Act on such an application.
The lead enforcement authority shall give to the person affected a notice informing him of the proposal and of the lead enforcement authority’s reason for it; but paragraph 1(2) above shall not apply for the purposes of this sub-paragraph. In the case of a proposal to make an order, the notice under sub-paragraph (1) above shall inform the person affected of the substance of the proposed order and, in the case of a proposal to make an order under section 3 of this Act, shall— The notice given under sub-paragraph (1) above shall invite the person affected, within such period of not less than twenty-one days as may be specified in the notice— and where notice is given under paragraph (b) above the lead enforcement authority shall arrange for the oral representations to be heard.
Where the lead enforcement authority receives notice under paragraph 2(3)(b) above it shall give the person affected not less than twenty-one days’ notice, or such shorter notice as the person affected may consent to accept, of the date, time and place at which his representations are to be heard.
In the course of the hearing of oral representations the lead enforcement authority shall, at the request of the person affected, permit any other person (in addition to the person affected) to make representations on his behalf or to give evidence or to introduce documents for him. The lead enforcement authority shall not refuse to admit evidence solely on the grounds that it would not be admissible in a court of law.
If the lead enforcement authority adjourns the hearing it shall give the person affected reasonable notice of the date, time and place at which the hearing is to be resumed.
The lead enforcement authority shall take into account in deciding whether to proceed with its proposal any written or oral representations made in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Schedule. If the lead enforcement authority considers that it should proceed with its proposal but for a reason which differs, or on grounds which differ, from those set out in the notice of the proposal under paragraph 2 above, it shall give a further notice under that paragraph. In any case where— the lead enforcement authority may nevertheless decide to proceed with its proposal on the basis of any other reason given in the notice or, as the case may be, on any other grounds set out in the notice.
If the lead enforcement authority decides not to proceed with its proposal it shall give notice of that decision to the person affected and, in the case of a notice of a decision on an application under section 6 of this Act, such a notice shall be combined with a notice under subsection (3) of that section.
If the lead enforcement authority decides to proceed with its proposal it may, if it thinks fit having regard to any representations made to it —
where the proposal is for the making of an order, make the order in a form which varies from that of the proposed order mentioned in the notice under paragraph 2 above, or
where the proposal is to vary an order, make a variation other than that mentioned in the notice under paragraph 2 above, or
where the proposal is to refuse to revoke an order, vary the order.
Notice of the decision to make the order, and of the terms of the order or, as the case may be, notice of the decision on the application for variation or revocation of the order, shall be given to the person affected, together with the lead enforcement authority’s reasons for its decision, including the facts which in its opinion justify the decision. The notice referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above shall also inform the person affected of his right to appeal against the decision and of the period within which an appeal may be brought and of how notice of appeal may be given.
Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, the order to which the decision relates or, as the case may be, any variation of an order for which the decision provides shall not come into operation until any appeal under section 7(1) of this Act and any further appeal has been finally determined or the period within which such an appeal may be brought has expired. Where the lead enforcement authority states in the notice referred to in paragraph 9(1) above that it is satisfied that there are special circumstances which require it, an order shall come into operation immediately upon the giving of notice of the decision to make it.
Any reference in this Part of this Schedule to an application is a reference to an application to the lead enforcement authority under section 6(1) or section 8(3) of this Act, and any reference to the applicant shall be construed accordingly.
An application shall be in writing and be in such form and accompanied by such particulars as the lead enforcement authority may specify by general notice.
The lead enforcement authority may by notice require the applicant to publish details of his application at a time or times and in a manner specified in the notice.
If an application does not comply with paragraph 12 above or if an applicant fails to comply with a notice under paragraph 14 of Schedule 5 to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requiring the furnishing of information ... in connection with the application, the lead enforcement authority may decline to proceed with the application.
In this Act “the lead enforcement authority” means—
the Secretary of State, or
a person whom the Secretary of State has arranged to be the lead enforcement authority in accordance with subsection (2).
The Secretary of State may make arrangements for one of the following to be the lead enforcement authority for the purposes of this Act (for the whole of the United Kingdom) instead of the Secretary of State—
a local weights and measures authority in Great Britain, or
the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland.
The arrangements—
may include provision for payments by the Secretary of State;
may include provision about bringing the arrangements to an end.
The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make transitional provision for when there is a change in the lead enforcement authority.
The regulations may relate to a specific change in the lead enforcement authority or to changes that might arise from time to time.
Section 23A(10)
A redress scheme may be approved for the purposes of section 23A by the lead enforcement authority acting in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 8.
A scheme may not be approved unless the lead enforcement authority considers that— are satisfactory for the purposes of section 23A. Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (1), a scheme must not be approved unless the lead enforcement authority considers that it makes satisfactory provision about— The types of redress mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(c) are—
In determining whether a scheme, or any provisions mentioned in paragraph 2(2), are satisfactory the lead enforcement authority must have regard to— In considering the interests mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a), the lead enforcement authority may have regard to the number of other redress schemes which are (or are likely to become) approved redress schemes.
The lead enforcement authority must not approve a scheme unless it considers that the scheme makes satisfactory provision about the provision of information by the ombudsman or the scheme administrator to—
persons exercising functions under other approved schemes;
persons exercising functions under other consumer redress schemes; and
the lead enforcement authority or any other person exercising regulatory functions in relation to the activities of persons engaging in estate agency work.
The lead enforcement authority must not approve a scheme if it considers that the scheme provides for membership to be revoked on any unfair grounds.
An application for approval by the lead enforcement authority of a redress scheme must—
be made in such manner as the lead enforcement authority may determine; and
be accompanied by such information as the lead enforcement authority may require.
Where the lead enforcement authority is proposing to refuse an application for approval it must give the applicant a notice stating—
that it is proposing to refuse the application;
the grounds for the proposed refusal; and
that representations about the proposed refusal may be made within such period of not less than 30 days as is specified in the notice.
If the lead enforcement authority decides to refuse an application for approval, it must give the applicant a notice stating—
the lead enforcement authority’s decision to refuse the application; and
the reasons for the decision.
The scheme administrator of a redress scheme which is approved by the lead enforcement authority must notify the lead enforcement authority of any change to the scheme before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the change is made.
The lead enforcement authority may withdraw approval of a redress scheme which is for the time being approved by it.
Before withdrawing approval of a scheme, the lead enforcement authority must give the scheme administrator a notice stating—
that it proposes to withdraw its approval;
the grounds for the proposed withdrawal of approval; and
that representations about the proposed withdrawal may be made within such period of not less than 30 days as is specified in the notice.
The lead enforcement authority must give the scheme administrator a notice stating—
its decision on a proposal to withdraw approval; and
the reasons for its decision.
If the lead enforcement authority decides to withdraw approval of a scheme—
the withdrawal has effect from such date as may be specified in the notice under paragraph 12;
the scheme administrator must give a copy of the notice under paragraph 12 to every member of the scheme.
If the Secretary of State decides to revoke his designation of a scheme for the purposes of section 23A, he must give every member of the scheme a notice stating—
that he has decided to revoke the designation;
the reasons for his decision; and
the date from which the revocation has effect.
For the purposes of the law relating to defamation, proceedings under an approved redress scheme in relation to the investigation and determination of a complaint are to be treated in the same way as proceedings before a court.
In this Schedule—
“approved redress scheme” has the meaning given in section 23A(8)(b);
Section 23B(3)
A penalty charge notice given to a person under section 23B(1) by a duly authorised officer of an enforcement authority ... must—
state the officer's belief that that person has committed a breach of the duty imposed by an order under section 23A(1);
give such other particulars of the circumstances as may be necessary to give reasonable notice of the breach of duty;
require that person, within a period specified in the notice—
to pay a penalty charge specified in the notice; or
to give notice to the enforcement authority that he wishes to review the notice;
state the effect of paragraph 8;
specify the person to whom and the address at which the penalty charge may be paid and the method or methods by which payment may be made; and
specify the person to whom and the address at which a notice requesting a review may be sent (and to which any representations relating to the review may be addressed).
The penalty charge specified in the notice shall be of such amount (not exceeding £1,000) as may be prescribed for the time being by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
The period specified under paragraph 1(c) must not be less than 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the penalty charge notice was given. The enforcement authority may extend the period for complying with the requirement mentioned in paragraph 1(c) in any particular case if they consider it appropriate to do so.
The enforcement authority may, if they consider that the penalty charge notice ought not to have been given, give the recipient a notice withdrawing the penalty charge notice.
If, within the period specified under paragraph 1(c) (or that period as extended under paragraph 3(2)), the recipient of the penalty charge notice gives notice to the enforcement authority requesting a review, the authority shall— A notice under sub-paragraph (1)(c) confirming the penalty charge notice must also state the effect of paragraphs 6(1) to (3) and 8(1) and (3). If the authority are not satisfied— they shall withdraw the penalty charge notice.
If after a review the penalty charge notice is confirmed by the enforcement authority, the recipient may, within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the notice under paragraph 5(1)(c) is given, appeal in England and Wales to the county court or, in Northern Ireland, to a county court or, in Scotland, to the sheriff against the penalty charge notice. The county court or the sheriff may extend the period for appealing against the notice. Such an appeal must be on one (or more) of the following grounds— An appeal against a penalty charge notice shall be by way of a rehearing; and the county court or sheriff shall either uphold the notice or quash it.
If the penalty charge notice is withdrawn or quashed, the authority shall repay any amount previously paid as a penalty charge in pursuance of the notice.
The amount of the penalty charge is recoverable from the recipient of the penalty charge notice as a debt owed to the authority unless— Proceedings for the recovery of the penalty charge may not be commenced before the end of the period mentioned in paragraph 5(1). And if within that period the recipient of the penalty charge notice gives notice to the authority that he wishes the authority to review the penalty charge notice, such proceedings may not be commenced—
In proceedings for the recovery of the penalty charge, a certificate which— is evidence of the facts stated.
purports to be signed by or on behalf of the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the enforcement authority; and
states that payment of the penalty charge was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate;
Section 29 (service of notices etc.) applies in relation to— as it applies in relation to any notice which under this Act is to be given to any person by the lead enforcement authority.
any penalty charge notice which is to be given under section 23B(1) by a duly authorised officer of an enforcement authority ... ; and
any notice which is to be given under paragraph 5(1)(c) of this Schedule by such an enforcement authority;
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision supplementary or incidental to the provisions of this Schedule, including in particular provision prescribing—
the form of penalty charge notices or of any other notice mentioned in this Schedule;
circumstances in which penalty charge notices may not be given;
the method or methods by which penalty charges may be paid.
Any power to make regulations under this Schedule shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.