Currently real estate agents are required to log all bids they receive on a property that is for sale. The additional minimum standards would go further, making it a breach of professional conduct to “create a false of misleading bid”, Ms Hogan said.
“One of the issues we’re proposing, [IS]it is improper conduct to impose a viewing fee on a prospective purchaser or tenant in respect of sales or lettings,” Ms Hogan said. Housing charities have said the crisis in the rental market has led to property agents levying extra charges on tenants in recent years.Booking and security deposits would have to be returned to tenants within 10 working days of a lease ending, she said.
Property agents could not accept “any form of inducement” from a prospective buyer or tenant trying to secure a property or lease, the draft guidelines state. Breaches of existing laws such as equality or data protection legislation would also be deemed improper conduct under the expanded minimum standards.
'Telling potential homebuyers that a competing or higher offer has been received on a property, when it has not, would be a breach of new professional standards for the sector.' Define a 'fake' bid? Only way to counter this culture is a register of bids with name, address & PPS.
Improper .... not illegal.....