Estate agent complaints continue to rise

The ombudsman for estate agents has reported a ‘surprising’ workload, even though activity in the house market has slumped 60 per cent. The number of disputes over house sales was down just 3 per cent in 2008, but the overall rise in new cases was 20 per cent. The ombudsman said he expects the majority of his work this year to shift into the rental market, as there is an influx of unqualified agents into lettings.