Last year only showed a slight drop in the number of complaints about estate agents, despite the huge slowdown in the property market.
Sales disputes between consumers and estate agents showed little change last year despite the vast drop in transactions, the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) has revealed.
Christopher Hamer, who attempts to resolve any disagreements between agents and the public, revealed that 2008 saw a three percent fall in such cases - despite sales activity plunging by 60 percent. The banking crisis has led to a lack of mortgage availability which, coupled with a general lack of consumer confidence over the recession, has led to fewer property transactions being completed.
"I am surprised that my workload in sales disputes has not reduced more significantly," Mr Hamer said. "Perhaps it shows that buyers and sellers have still higher expectations of agents' service whilst there are so few properties being sold."
However, Mr Hamer does not believe this trend will continue far into 2009. The lack of people buying homes last year meant that many more opted for renting, leading to a 200 percent rise in the number of lettings disputes investigated by the OEA. Mr Hamer thinks this area will be his main focus for the rest of the year.
He added: "Lettings agents still only join the OEA on a voluntary basis and it is therefore satisfying to see so many firms opening up access to my scheme for their customers."
