Useful Articles
Client Money Protection for Estate Agents: What You Need to Know
Since April 2019, all letting agents and property managers in England who hold client money have been legally required to belong to a government-approved Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme. This requirement was introduced under the Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc.) Regulations 2019. What Is Client Money? Client money is any money you hold or receive on behalf of another person in connection with letting or property management work. This includes: Tenancy deposits (before they are placed in a deposit protection scheme) Rent collected on behalf of a landlord Funds held for property maintenance or repairs Any other money you hold in trust for a client Why CMP Is Required CMP insurance protects landlords and tenants if an agent misappropriates their money or if the agency goes into administration. Without CMP, clients have no financial safety net if something goes wrong. Who Must Have CMP? Any agent or property manager who holds client money in the course of letting or property management work in England. If you do not hold client money at any point — for example, if tenants pay rent directly to the landlord and deposits go straight to a protection scheme — you may not need CMP, but you should take advice to confirm this. Sales agents who hold deposits (such as reservation fees or exchange deposits) should also consider whether CMP or equivalent protection is needed, although the 2019 regulations specifically target letting and property management. Approved CMP Schemes The government has approved several schemes including: Client Money Protect Propertymark (through ARLA membership) RICS (for chartered surveyors managing property) Safeagent (formerly the National Approved Letting Scheme) Each scheme sets its own membership fees and requirements. Compare them based on cost, claims process, and any additional benefits. Your Obligations Join a scheme before you handle any client money Display your CMP certificate prominently in your office and on your website Provide a copy to any person who requests it Hold client money in a separate designated client account — never mix it with your business funds Keep accurate records of all client money received and paid out Renew your membership annually Penalties for Non-Compliance Operating without CMP membership when required is a civil offence. Local authority Trading Standards can impose a fine of up to £30,000. Repeated offences or deliberate non-compliance can result in banning orders under the Housing and Planning Act 2016, which would prevent you from engaging in letting or property management work entirely. Best Practice Reconcile your client account regularly (at least monthly) Ensure all staff who handle client money understand their responsibilities Have a clear written procedure for handling, recording, and disbursing client money Consider professional indemnity insurance alongside CMP for additional protection CMP is a legal requirement for letting agents and property managers who hold client money. If you are unsure whether you need CMP, seek legal advice. Details of approved schemes are available on the GOV.UK website.
The Property Ombudsman Code of Practice: Key Rules Every Agent Should Know
If your agency is a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO), you are bound by its Code of Practice. The code sets out the standards of conduct expected of agents in their dealings with sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants. Breaching the code can result in complaints, compensation awards of up to £25,000, and — in serious cases — expulsion from the scheme. This article summarises the key rules that most commonly arise in practice. Transparency and Honesty The code requires agents to act with integrity and to communicate clearly and honestly. This means: Providing clear written terms of business before entering into an agency agreement Disclosing all fees, charges, and commissions — including any referral fees you receive from third-party services such as mortgage brokers, conveyancers, or surveyors Not misleading buyers or tenants about the nature of the property, its features, or its price Passing on all offers to the seller promptly and in writing, unless the seller has given written instructions not to receive offers below a certain level Handling Offers One of the most common areas of complaint is how agents handle offers. The code requires you to: Forward all offers to the seller promptly, accurately, and in writing Not discriminate against buyers who do not wish to use your recommended services (mortgage, solicitor, etc.) Confirm receipt of offers to the buyer Inform all prospective buyers of the existence of other offers (though not the amounts) when applicable Referral Fees and Connected Services Agents must disclose any financial interest in services they recommend. If you receive a referral fee for recommending a conveyancer, mortgage broker, or surveyor, you must tell the client in writing before they agree to use that service. The amount or basis of the referral fee must also be disclosed. Client Money If you hold client money (deposits, rent, etc.), the code requires you to: Hold it in a designated client account, separate from your business funds Have Client Money Protection (CMP) insurance in place Provide clear accounting to clients on request Complaints Handling Every TPO member must have a written in-house complaints procedure. When a complaint is received, you must: Acknowledge it promptly Investigate it thoroughly Provide a final response within a reasonable period (typically 8 weeks) Inform the complainant of their right to escalate to TPO if they are not satisfied Common Reasons for Complaints Failure to pass on offers Misleading property descriptions or photographs Hidden fees or undisclosed referral arrangements Poor communication during the sales process Failure to handle deposits correctly Not following agreed marketing instructions Consequences of Breach If TPO upholds a complaint, it can direct you to apologise, take specific remedial action, and pay compensation. Failure to comply with a TPO decision can result in expulsion from the scheme — which effectively means you cannot legally trade as an estate agent. The full TPO Codes of Practice for Residential Estate Agents and for Residential Letting Agents are available on the TPO website. All agents should read the full code applicable to their business, not rely solely on summaries.
How to Write Property Descriptions That Get Enquiries
A property description is often the deciding factor between a buyer making an enquiry or scrolling past. Good descriptions are accurate, specific, and highlight what makes a property worth viewing. Poor descriptions are vague, full of clichés, or — worse — missing material information that the buyer needs to make an informed decision. Start with the Key Facts Open your description with the essential information a buyer or tenant is looking for. Within the first two sentences, aim to cover: Property type (detached house, ground-floor flat, end-terrace, etc.) Number of bedrooms and reception rooms Tenure (freehold or leasehold) Location — the area or street, proximity to transport, schools, or amenities Condition — newly refurbished, in need of modernisation, well-maintained Many buyers scan listings quickly. If the key facts are buried at the bottom, they may never reach them. Be Specific, Not Vague Avoid generic phrases that could apply to any property. Compare these: Weak: "A lovely property in a great location with lots of space." Strong: "A three-bedroom Victorian terrace with original fireplaces and a 60-foot south-facing garden, a five-minute walk from Highbury and Islington station." Specific details help buyers picture the property and self-qualify. If the garden faces north, say so — the right buyer will not mind, and you avoid wasting time with viewings that lead nowhere. Structure Your Description Logically Walk the reader through the property as if they were viewing it in person: Opening summary (type, size, location, key selling point) Entrance and hallway Reception rooms Kitchen and dining areas Bedrooms Bathrooms Garden and outdoor space Parking and garage Local area highlights Mention Dimensions Where Possible Room dimensions add credibility and help buyers assess whether their furniture will fit. If you have measured the rooms, include the dimensions. If not, descriptors like "double bedroom" or "single bedroom" give a rough indication, but measurements are always better. Include Material Information Under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, you are legally required to include material information in your listings. Make sure your description covers: Tenure and lease length (if leasehold) Service charges and ground rent Council tax band EPC rating Flood risk (if applicable) Any restrictions, covenants, or issues the seller has disclosed Domovita has dedicated fields for many of these, but anything not covered by a specific field should be clearly stated in the description text. Words and Phrases to Avoid Some terms have become so overused in property listings that they have lost all meaning or actively put buyers off: "Deceptively spacious" — buyers read this as "it looks small" "Unique opportunity" — every property is unique; this says nothing "Must be seen to be appreciated" — the description's job is to make them want to see it, not to admit it cannot be described "No chain" in the description — use the dedicated sale status fields instead Block capitals or excessive exclamation marks — these look unprofessional Length Aim for 150–300 words for a standard residential property. Luxury or unusual properties may warrant more. Descriptions under 100 words look incomplete; descriptions over 500 words lose the reader. Every sentence should earn its place by telling the buyer something useful. A well-written description reduces time-wasting viewings, attracts genuinely interested buyers, and reflects well on your professionalism as an agent.
Renters' Rights Bill 2026: What Estate Agents and Landlords Need to Prepare For
The Renters' Rights Bill represents the most significant reform to private renting in England for over 30 years. Originally introduced as the Renters (Reform) Bill under the previous government and reintroduced with amendments, the Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent in 2025/2026 with provisions being phased in over the following months. For estate agents managing rental properties, the changes are substantial. Here is a summary of the key provisions and what you should be doing now to prepare. Abolition of Section 21 "No-Fault" Evictions The headline change. Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, which allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason, will be abolished. All tenancies will become periodic from day one, meaning tenants can stay indefinitely unless the landlord uses one of the revised grounds for possession under Section 8. What this means for agents: You will need to be far more rigorous about which Section 8 ground applies before pursuing possession, and ensure robust evidence is in place. The days of using Section 21 as a catch-all are ending. Revised Grounds for Possession While Section 21 is going, the Bill strengthens and adds to the Section 8 grounds. Key grounds include: Landlord wishes to sell — a new mandatory ground, available after 12 months of tenancy Landlord or family member wishes to move in — available after 12 months Rent arrears — remains a ground, with specific thresholds Anti-social behaviour — strengthened to make possession easier in serious cases Repeated late payment of rent — a new ground The Private Rented Sector Ombudsman All private landlords will be required to join a new Ombudsman service. This gives tenants a free route to resolve complaints without going to court. Agents managing properties will need to ensure their landlord clients are registered and that complaint-handling procedures are in place. The Private Rented Sector Database (Property Portal) A new national database of private rented properties and landlords will be created. Landlords will be required to register before they can legally let a property. Local authorities will use the database for enforcement. Agents will likely need to verify registration status as part of their onboarding process for new landlord clients. Decent Homes Standard Extended to Private Sector The Decent Homes Standard, which currently applies to social housing, will be extended to the private rented sector. Properties must meet minimum standards for repair, thermal comfort, and modern facilities. Agents should be advising landlord clients now about any works needed to bring properties up to standard. Bidding Wars and Rent in Advance The Bill is expected to ban landlords and agents from accepting offers above the advertised rent and from requesting more than one month's rent in advance (with limited exceptions). This aims to prevent bidding wars and discrimination against tenants who cannot pay large sums upfront. Tenant Rights to Keep Pets Tenants will have the right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords must not unreasonably refuse. Landlords may require the tenant to take out pet damage insurance. Blanket "no pets" policies will no longer be enforceable. What Agents Should Do Now Review all template tenancy agreements and notices — Section 21 notices will become invalid Train staff on the new Section 8 grounds and evidence requirements Audit your landlord client base — identify properties that may not meet the Decent Homes Standard Update your complaints procedure to align with the new Ombudsman requirements Begin discussing the changes with landlord clients, particularly around pet policies and rent-in-advance practices Monitor the parliamentary progress of the Bill for confirmed commencement dates This article reflects the Renters' Rights Bill as introduced. Specific provisions and commencement dates may change as the Bill progresses through Parliament. Always check the latest position on the UK Parliament website or seek legal advice before making changes to your business practices.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Obligations for Estate Agents
Estate agents in the UK are subject to the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (as amended). These regulations mean that every estate agency — regardless of size — must have AML procedures in place, conduct customer due diligence, and report suspicious activity. HMRC supervises estate agents for AML compliance. Failing to register or comply can result in civil penalties, criminal prosecution, and being prevented from trading. Who Must Comply? Any business acting as an estate agent in property transactions is covered. This includes sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, and online-only agencies. The regulations apply to both sales and lettings where the agent acts as an intermediary. Key Obligations 1. Register with HMRC All estate agents must register with HMRC for AML supervision before they begin trading. Registration is free but mandatory. HMRC can impose penalties for failing to register. 2. Appoint a Nominated Officer You must appoint a Nominated Officer (also called an MLRO — Money Laundering Reporting Officer) within your business. This person is responsible for receiving internal suspicious activity reports and deciding whether to submit a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) to the National Crime Agency (NCA). 3. Conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Before you enter into a business relationship or carry out a transaction, you must verify the identity of your clients. For individuals, this typically means: Checking a government-issued photo ID (passport or driving licence) Verifying their address (utility bill, bank statement, or council tax bill dated within the last three months) For companies, you must verify the company's registration, registered office, and the identities of directors and beneficial owners holding 25% or more of shares. 4. Enhanced Due Diligence Where there is a higher risk of money laundering — for example, transactions involving politically exposed persons (PEPs), complex ownership structures, or unusually high-value cash transactions — you must apply enhanced due diligence. This means more thorough checks and ongoing monitoring. 5. Keep Records You must retain copies of all identification documents and records of the checks you conducted for at least five years after the business relationship ends. Records must be sufficient to allow an audit trail. 6. Report Suspicious Activity If you know or suspect that a client or transaction involves money laundering or terrorist financing, you must submit a SAR to the NCA. Failing to report is a criminal offence. You must not "tip off" the client that a report has been made. 7. Staff Training All relevant employees must receive AML training appropriate to their role. Training should be provided at induction and refreshed regularly. Keep records of who was trained and when. 8. Risk Assessment You must carry out a documented risk assessment of your business, identifying the money laundering risks you face and the measures you have in place to mitigate them. This should be reviewed and updated regularly. Common Red Flags A buyer who is reluctant to provide identification Transactions where the buyer has no obvious connection to the area Use of cash or cryptocurrency for large deposits Pressure to complete a transaction unusually quickly Complex or opaque ownership structures involving overseas companies A purchase price significantly above or below market value with no clear explanation Third parties providing funds with no obvious relationship to the buyer Penalties for Non-Compliance HMRC can impose civil penalties of up to £1 million for serious breaches. Criminal prosecution can result in up to two years' imprisonment. In practice, penalties for smaller agents typically involve fines and compliance notices, but the reputational damage alone can be severe. AML compliance is a legal requirement, not optional best practice. If you are unsure whether your procedures meet the requirements, seek specialist legal advice. HMRC publishes detailed guidance for estate agents on GOV.UK.
Property Photography Tips for Estate Agents on a Budget
Great photography sells properties. Research consistently shows that listings with high-quality images receive significantly more online views and enquiries than those with poor or missing photos. The good news is that you do not need expensive equipment to take effective property photographs — a modern smartphone and some basic technique will get you most of the way there. Before You Shoot: Preparation The single biggest factor in good property photography is not the camera — it is the state of the property. Before you take a single photo: Ask the vendor to declutter every room, clear kitchen worktops, and tidy gardens Turn on all lights and open all curtains and blinds Close all toilet lids Remove personal items like family photos, toiletries, and children's drawings from fridges Straighten cushions, make beds, and hang towels neatly Remove wheelie bins and cars from the front of the property Equipment A smartphone from the last three to four years will have a camera capable of producing listing-quality images. If your phone has an ultra-wide lens (0.5x), use it for interior shots — it captures more of each room without the extreme distortion of a fisheye. For exterior shots, use the standard 1x lens. If you want to invest in one piece of kit, make it a smartphone tripod (around £15–£30). This eliminates camera shake, keeps your horizons level, and ensures consistent height across all shots. Shooting Technique Interiors Shoot from doorways or corners — this gives the widest view of each room and avoids making spaces look smaller than they are Hold the camera at chest height — shooting too high makes rooms look cramped; too low makes them look distorted Keep the camera level — vertical lines (door frames, walls) should be straight, not leaning. Use your phone's grid overlay Shoot in landscape orientation — always. Portrait photos of rooms look amateurish on property portals Aim for three to five photos per room — but only use the best one or two in your listing. Show enough to give a complete picture without overwhelming the viewer Exteriors Shoot the front elevation from across the road if possible, getting the full property in frame Overcast days often produce better results than bright sunshine, which creates harsh shadows Include the garden from an elevated angle if you can — it makes gardens appear larger Capture any standout features: period front doors, bay windows, a long driveway Editing Keep editing minimal and honest. Straighten any slightly crooked horizons, adjust brightness if rooms look too dark, and crop out distracting elements at the edges. Free apps like Snapseed or the built-in phone editor handle this well. Do not use heavy filters, remove structural features, or edit in blue skies. Misleading photography creates distrust and wastes viewing time when buyers arrive and the property does not match the images. Image Order and Selection The first image in your listing is by far the most important — it is what appears in search results and determines whether someone clicks through. For most properties, this should be the best exterior shot. For flats or properties with unremarkable exteriors, lead with the most impressive interior room. After the lead image, arrange photos in a logical order: exterior, hallway, reception rooms, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, garden. This mirrors how a buyer would walk through the property during a viewing. When to Use a Professional For high-value properties, new developments, or properties that need to stand out in a competitive market, a professional property photographer is worth the investment. Expect to pay £100–£250 for a standard residential shoot. Some photographers also offer drone shots, floor plans, and virtual tours as add-ons. Image Specifications for Domovita For best results on Domovita, upload images in JPEG format at a minimum resolution of 1024 × 768 pixels. Images are automatically optimised for fast loading, but starting with a high-quality original ensures the best possible presentation across all devices. Well-presented photographs are one of the simplest ways to increase enquiries on any property. A small investment of time in preparation and technique pays for itself many times over.
GDPR for Estate Agents: Handling Buyer and Vendor Data
Estate agents handle significant amounts of personal data — names, addresses, financial information, identification documents, and more. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 set out how this data must be collected, processed, stored, and disposed of. Non-compliance can result in enforcement action from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of global turnover, and serious reputational damage. Are You a Data Controller? Yes. As an estate agent, you determine why and how personal data is processed in connection with property sales and lettings. This makes you a data controller under the UK GDPR. You must register with the ICO (the annual fee for most estate agents is £40–£60) and comply with all data protection principles. The Seven Data Protection Principles Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency — you must have a lawful basis for processing data and be open about how you use it Purpose limitation — collect data for specified, explicit purposes and do not use it for something incompatible Data minimisation — only collect what you actually need Accuracy — keep data accurate and up to date Storage limitation — do not keep data longer than necessary Integrity and confidentiality — protect data with appropriate security measures Accountability — demonstrate compliance with these principles Lawful Bases for Processing The most relevant lawful bases for estate agents are: Contract — processing data to fulfil your agency agreement with a vendor or landlord Legal obligation — processing required by law, such as AML identity checks Legitimate interests — processing data for your business purposes where this does not override the individual's rights (e.g., sharing property details with genuinely interested buyers) Consent — where no other basis applies, particularly for marketing communications Practical Compliance Steps Privacy Notice Provide a clear privacy notice explaining what data you collect, why, how long you keep it, and who you share it with. This should be given to vendors, buyers, landlords, and tenants at the point you collect their data. Marketing Consent If you want to send property alerts, newsletters, or marketing emails, you need explicit consent under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). Keep records of when and how consent was given. Provide a simple way to unsubscribe. Data Sharing When you share buyer details with a vendor, or pass information to a conveyancer or mortgage broker, ensure you have a lawful basis. Do not share more data than necessary for the purpose. AML Records AML regulations require you to keep identity documents for five years. This is a legal obligation that overrides the general principle of data minimisation — but only for the specific data required for AML purposes. Do not retain other personal data longer than necessary. Data When a Sale Falls Through If a sale collapses, review what data you still need to retain. Delete buyer data you no longer need for any lawful purpose. Vendor data may need to be kept if the agency agreement is still in effect. Subject Access Requests (SARs) Individuals have the right to request a copy of all personal data you hold about them. You must respond within one calendar month. Have a process in place for handling SARs before one arrives. Security Appropriate security measures include: Encrypting laptops, phones, and portable devices Using strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication on all systems Restricting access to personal data to staff who need it Shredding physical documents containing personal data before disposal Ensuring your CRM and email systems are properly secured Data Breaches If a data breach occurs (e.g., an email sent to the wrong person, a laptop stolen, or a cyber attack), you must assess the risk. If the breach is likely to result in a risk to individuals' rights and freedoms, you must notify the ICO within 72 hours. If the risk is high, you must also notify the affected individuals. GDPR compliance is an ongoing responsibility, not a one-off exercise. The ICO website provides detailed guidance specifically for small businesses. If in doubt, seek specialist advice.
Estate Agent Redress Schemes: TPO vs PRS — What You Need to Know
Every estate agent and letting agent in the UK is legally required to belong to a government-approved redress scheme. This requirement has been in place since October 2014 for sales agents and since October 2014 for letting and property management agents under the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 and the Redress Schemes for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management Work (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc.) (England) Order 2014. There are currently two approved schemes: The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and the Property Redress Scheme (PRS). Why Membership Is Required Redress schemes provide consumers with a free, independent alternative to court action when they have a complaint about an estate or letting agent. If you operate without membership, you face a fine of up to £5,000 from your local authority Trading Standards team. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) TPO is the longer-established scheme and has the larger market share. Key features include: Covers sales, lettings, commercial, and auctions Agents must comply with the TPO Code of Practice Can award compensation of up to £25,000 per case Annual membership fees based on the number of offices and whether you handle sales, lettings, or both TPO decisions are binding on the agent but not the consumer — the consumer can still pursue court action if unsatisfied Property Redress Scheme (PRS) PRS is the newer alternative. Key features include: Covers sales, lettings, and property management Agents must comply with the PRS Code of Practice Can award compensation of up to £25,000 per case Generally lower annual fees than TPO, particularly for smaller agencies Offers a simpler, faster complaints process Which Should You Choose? Both schemes fulfil the legal requirement. Practical considerations include: Cost — PRS tends to be cheaper for single-office independent agents. Compare current fee schedules directly, as they are updated annually Reputation — TPO is better known among consumers, which some agents see as adding credibility Code of Practice — both codes cover similar ground but differ in some details. Read both before deciding Existing membership — if you are already a member of a professional body like Propertymark (ARLA/NAEA), check whether your membership includes or discounts one scheme You only need to belong to one scheme, not both. You can switch schemes at renewal if you wish. What Agents Must Do Display your redress scheme membership prominently in your office and on your website Include your membership details in your terms of business Follow the scheme's Code of Practice in all dealings Co-operate fully with any complaints investigation Comply with any awards or directions made against you Membership of a redress scheme is a legal requirement. If you are setting up a new agency, join a scheme before you begin trading. Details of current fees, codes of practice, and application processes are available on the TPO and PRS websites.
Material Information: What Estate Agents Must Include in Property Listings
Since the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team updated its guidance, estate agents in England have a clear obligation to include material information in property listings. Getting this wrong can lead to enforcement action under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) — and, just as importantly, wastes everyone's time when key facts only emerge after viewings. This guide explains what material information is, what must be included, and how to get it right on every listing. What Is Material Information? Material information is any fact about a property that an average consumer needs to make an informed decision about whether to enquire, view, or make an offer. Omitting or hiding material information is considered a misleading omission under the CPRs, which is a criminal offence. The National Trading Standards guidance organises material information into three parts: Part A — Information That Must Always Be Included in the Listing Council tax band (or domestic rates in Northern Ireland) Asking price (sale) or rent amount and payment frequency (lettings) Property tenure — freehold, leasehold, commonhold, or other Property type and number of bedrooms EPC rating (where required under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations) Part B — Information That Must Be Provided Where Applicable Lease length remaining (if leasehold) Service charges and ground rent (if leasehold or managed) Shared ownership or shared equity arrangements Council tax payment amount Flood risk Whether the property is in a conservation area Listed building status Restrictive covenants or planning restrictions Rights of way or easements Mining or subsidence risk Utility types (mains gas, electric, water, drainage — or alternatives) Broadband and mobile signal availability Parking arrangements Building safety issues (e.g. cladding, structural concerns) Part C — Information That Must Be Provided If Known Accessibility and adaptations Coalfield or mining area designation Neighbouring planning applications or developments the seller is aware of Any other fact that a reasonable buyer would consider important Lettings-Specific Material Information For rental listings, additional material information includes: Deposit amount and which protection scheme will be used Whether bills are included in the rent Furnished, part-furnished, or unfurnished status Any fees permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 Minimum tenancy length Whether the landlord requires a guarantor Pet policy How to Comply on Domovita When listing a property on Domovita, the submission form includes dedicated fields for tenure, EPC rating, council tax band, and other key details. Fill in every applicable field — do not leave them blank or enter "TBC" unless you genuinely do not yet have the information and are actively seeking it. If information is not yet available, you should obtain it as quickly as possible and update the listing promptly. For details that do not have a dedicated form field, include them clearly in the property description. A best practice approach is to add a "Key Information" section at the end of your description covering service charges, ground rent, lease length, flood risk, and any other Part B or Part C items relevant to that particular property. What Happens If You Get It Wrong? Local authority Trading Standards officers can investigate and prosecute breaches of the CPRs. Penalties can include unlimited fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment. Beyond enforcement, omitting material information leads to collapsed sales, wasted viewing time, and damage to your professional reputation. Practical Checklist Before listing, collect all Part A information — do not publish without it Check Part B items against the property and include every applicable one Ask the vendor directly about Part C matters and record their responses Review every listing before publication to ensure nothing is missing Update listings promptly if new material information comes to light Keep records of what information was provided and when This guide reflects the National Trading Standards guidance current as of early 2026. Always refer to the latest NTS publications and seek legal advice if you are unsure about your obligations under the CPRs.