Acting for a client – estate agent obligations

Skip listen and sharing tools

The Estate Agents (Professional Conduct) Regulations 2008 state that estate agents and agents’ representatives must act in the best interest of their clients, unless it would be unlawful or improper to do so. You must:

  • know the law and act professionally
  • follow your client’s lawful instructions
  • find out all relevant information about a transaction
  • not disclose confidential information
  • not put your interests in conflict with your client’s.

A conflict of interest may arise if you: 

  • act for another person whose interests are in conflict with your client’s (for example, if you act for both a seller and buyer, or landlord and tenant)
  • recommend a supplier to a client without disclosing any personal or commercial interest you may have with that supplier
  • buy a property your agency is commissioned to sell.