PE Leasing and Letting Flashcards
What legislation covers the disposal/acquistion of an interest in land (freehold or leasehold property with capital value)?
Estate Agents Act 1979
What does Section 18 say about Terms of Agency?
> Must be clear
> Must be agreed in writing, including any additional market costs or disbursements
> Must be itemised (not global)
What does Section 21 say?
> Must be open about personal interests
Personal interests must be declared in particulars and Heads of Terms (or don’t act if its inappropriate)
What should you do in negotiations according to the Estate Agents Act 1979?
> Act in the best interest of your client
Treat buyers/sellers honestly, fairly and promptly, i.e. give no misleading information and don’t discriminate
Inform client of offers in writing
Do you need to inform your client if you offer a service to a prospective tenant?
Yes
Under the Estate Agents Act 1979, do you need to belong to an approved redress scheme?
Yes
Who enforces the Estate Agents Act 1979?
National Trading Standards
What are these agency bases?
- Sole agency
- Joint sole agency
- Multiple agency
- Sole agency - 1 agent
- Joint sole agency - 2+ agents sharing fee
- Multiple agency - several agents and winner takes it all
Where would you find wording on agency rights to include in your Teams of Engagement?
> Estate Agents (Provision of Information) Regulations 1991
What is a ready, willing and able purchaser?
Fee due if purchaser introduced who is prepared and able to exchange unconditional contracts for purchase, even if client subsequently decides not to proceed
What are sole selling rights?
Fee due if unconditional contracts exchanged during period of sole selling rights, even if purchaser found by another agent or client. After expiry of sole selling rights, fee due if contracts exchanged with purchaser introduced during period or with whom agent had negotiations.
What are sole agency rights?
Fee due if unconditional contracts exchanged with purchaser introduced by agent or another agent or with whom agent had negotiations during period of sole agency. No fee due if purchaser found by client.
What does the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 say?
Nothing - it’s been repealed
What was the main change brought in by the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPRs) & Business Protection from MIisleading Marketing Regulations 2008 (BPRs)?
Wider scope so cannot rely on caveat emptor principle
What is an average consumer under the CPRs/BPRS?
Reasonably well-informed, observant and circumspect (modified if the consumer is vulnerable or targeted)
What is material information under the CPRs/BPRs?
Required by average consumer to make informed transactional decision
Under the CPRs/BPRs, when may a commercial practice be deemed unfair?
- Giving false/misleading information
- Omitting material information (required to make informed decision)
- Aggressive practices, e.g. harrassment, coercion, exerting undue pressure
- Not acting with standard of care and skill in accordance with honest market practice and in good faith
- Engaging in banned practices
Are there any defences under the CPRs/BPRs?
- Due diligence
- Reasonable steps to verify information
- Signpost consumers appropriately
- Treat people fairly
Are you aware of any other relevant legislation?
Misrepresentation Act 1967
What is misrepresentation?
Misrepresentation of fact during negotiations which is relied upon and induces other party to enter contract
What can a misrepresentation be?
- Innocent
- Negligent
- Fraudulent
Is there any defence under the Misrepresentation Act 1967?
Reasonable grounds to believe facts represented were true
What does the Unfair Contract Terms Act 177 say?
- Terms of engagement must be fair and reasonable
- Exclusion clause to limit liability must be fair and reasonable (consumer only)
Name current RICS leasing and letting guidance?
RICS Real Estate Agency & Brokerage Professional Statement (1st Edition, 2016) (Purple Book)
RICS Real Estate Agency & Brokerage Professional Statement (3rd Edition, 2016)
Is a professional statement mandatory or advisory?
Mandatory
What does the Real Estate Agency & Brokerage (REAB) PS relate to?
Sales, letting, leasing and management of real estate
Under the REAB PS, should you appoint a sub-contractor without consent?
No
Under the REAB PS, should you appoint a sub-contractor without consent?
No
Under the REAB PS, do you need to inform your client if a dual fee liability may arise?
Yes
Under the REAB PS, can you disclose offers to other tenants?
Yes - if you have consent of your client and the tenant (and inform all parties)