By Steve Roulstone
Happy New Year everybody and I hope that 2012 delivers what you wish for especially in these difficult financial times. If you like me you do believe in the New Year bringing in a wave of optimism with it (always have been an optimist, even though some would have you believe I am just another grumpy old man!) then you too will have a wish list of what you hope the year will deliver. For what it is worth, here is mine:
Continued growth
In the last few years of financial difficulties the one thing that has shone through as a person working in the property industry is that the uncertainty in housing prices has only added to the instability we are suffering. I believe that the figures for the last three quarters of the year are stabilizing (told you I was an optimist) and I wish for continued growth and stability in house prices. Small growth (with seasonal fluctuations that a slow growth market gives us and is what I believe we are now seeing) will help confidence come back to our market and is something all markets will benefit from.
Safe Agent achieves the recognition it deserves
The new ‘Kite Mark’ for professional standards in our industry deserves support from every Letting Agent who has the same standards and wishes to see professionalism receive its due reward (Should be the same in any industry) Too often the reason given for not joining professional bodies or schemes is because it means nothing to the customer – no it never will do until everybody joins in!! Why membership is not used as a reason for customers choosing your Company above non members is something I have never understood!
Professional status enters the world of politic debate again!
But what our Industry needs more than anything else is that Politicians realise how important professional qualification IS needed. The reasoning given for the present Government dropping the plans of the last are cost based alone and would re-introduce much needed credence to a sector of the housing market which is growing in unprecedented numbers year upon year at present. Rented property is not only here to stay, but has to be considered as a major player in the housing market and as such deserves the professional recognition that the numbers demand.
Professional bodies push for recognition
But in order for us to get the best out of any legislation introduced or changes made, we need our professional bodies to sing from the same hymn sheet and as loud and as often as possible. I understand Gareth Malone is looking for a new challenge, well here’s one for him, because until the bodies present a stabilized and combined front, the Government will continue to have an excuse not to listen. We are very capable of self policing any qualification and we need the Government to recognise this more than ever, right now!
Market recognition of the difference between Letting Agents and Estate Agents who run Letting departments.
All and sundry have now joined in the massive increase in numbers enjoyed in property renting over the last three years, either out of necessity, or recognition that our market can no longer be ignored. What we need to do is continually point out that professional qualified (Professional body recognition and membership) Letting Agents are as different from unqualified Agents as Beetroot and Radish (we may be the same colour but the taste will never be the same)! and it is only because anybody can open as a Letting agent without qualification that this has happened. Quality should always rise to the top and unless as an industry we continue to point this out, the difference will not be seen. Normally, it is only when problems arise, that the problems are spotted by which time the problem has already damaged the industry as another horror story hits the press.
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