
3MALCOLMS ESTATE AGENTS |
BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE
We are also not concerned by the
tenant fee ban, as our charges were
only minimal to cover costs. In fact, we
see this as an opportunity to strengthen
relationships with good tenants and gain
extra business from those agents who
are always looking to put up their fees.
In the last two years, the EU’s Fourth
Money Laundering Directive as well as
the rollout of GDPR has meant that we
have spent a lot of money and time
on training both ourselves and staff as
well as registering with the appropriate
bodies. At Malcolms, however, we
view compliance as a demonstration
of professionalism and appreciate the
role it has in the sector. We undertake
anti-money laundering training every six
months and constantly review industry
journals, blogs and webinars to this end.
The rise of property tech and
regulation
2018 saw the rise of proptech,
something which we believe will
only help to further streamline the
operations of the housing sector. We
have always embraced new technology
to enhance our service and present
properties in the best possible light.
Our first software system offered
vendors complete transparency,
showing them everything we did
for them. Making sure staff are
experienced, trained and informed –
especially when it comes to technology
– can really aid the sales process; a
bad photograph or a price that’s too
ambitious will just mean that a buyer
swipes past your property. At Malcolms,
we don’t just put the property on the
market; we present it and make sure
that it doesn’t become stale.
The emerging trend of greater
regulation on estate agents is also
something that many people are
talking about. We welcome this new
direction and are currently registered
with Propertymark, the ombudsman,
ICO, HMRC, NCA and The Guild of
Property Professionals, as well as
Malcolm’s membership of the NAEA.
We would hope that one of these
bodies takes on the role of regulator,
offering training and guidance to those
wishing to improve their service as well
as ensuring compliance.
We also forgo the most lucrative
solicitor referral fees in favour of
knowledgeable, approachable and
efficient legal advice for our clients.
We personally provide them with
weekly updates throughout the sales
process to help alleviate the stress of
conveyancers who seem unable to talk
to each other, let alone their clients.
The current move to legislate for
£1,000 non-refundable deposits
from vendors and purchasers will aid
the house-buying process, but more
needs to be done to speed up the
conveyancing process as a whole.
This year, we are delighted to have
been placed in the top four per cent
of estate agents nationally, and to
have been rated “exceptional” for our
performance and customer service in
the Best Estate Agent Guide 2019 by
the Property Academy and their partner
Rightmove. Estate agency is changing,
but at Malcolms, whether you are
selling, buying or renting, we believe
local knowledge and customer service
is at the heart of a stress-free move.
At Malcolms,
we don’t just
put the
property on
the market;
we present it
and make sure
that it doesn’t
become stale
“
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»QUESTIONS TO OUR GOVERNMENT
»Is shared ownership or affordable housing really affordable when
housing associations charge such high rents?
»Will the tenant fee ban or building more homes really solve the
problems of the homeless?
»Doesn’t the Help to Buy scheme just increase the cost to the buyer
and the profit to the developer?
»Would first-time buyers find it easier to save for a deposit if they
weren’t paying off a student loan?
»In 2019, shouldn’t we be building more sustainable houses using
environmentally friendly materials and running on renewable
energy rather than just building more houses?