Landlords have been promised better service when buying or selling property following the launch of an industry initiative. The Home Buying and Selling Group (HBSG) forum, which is attended by representatives from estate agency, conveyancing and other industry sectors as well as government officials, is asking estate agents to ‘take the pledge’ and promise to help improve the property sales process.

This includes asking agents to keep their customers fully informed and pre-warned about the buying process which, it is hoped, will resolve the problems that can hold up a sale, reducing fall throughs, help prevent fraud and, for some, reduce the time it takes to buy and sell.

For example, this includes recommending that vendors instruct a solicitor on the day a property is marketed, as is the case when selling via an auction. All the major industry organisations representing those involved in property sales have signed the pledge including mortgage brokers, estate agents, legal firms, surveyors, removals companies and consumer organisations. Trade bodies involved include Propertymark, The Law Society, Conveyancing Association, RICS and Trading Standards.

Ana Bajri, RICS associate director, residential, says: “As more people look for new homes to suit their working or family needs, it is vital that industry works together to help people move home as quickly, safely and smoothly as possible.”