A toolkit has been launched which is designed to assist local authority Trading Standards enforcement staff to determine the levels of compliance of local estate agents.

The toolkit, which has been launched by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT), has been tailored with the aim to fit in with the increasing demands and workloads placed on Trading Standards services in recent times.

It provides clear step-by-step guidance on a range of enforcement activities which officers may undertake.

From directions on how to investigate and deal with agents which have not registered with an approved residential redress scheme, to navigating a failure to display Energy Performance Certificate information, the toolkit gives helpful summaries of the relevant legislation, time-saving letter templates and penalty charge notices.

Coupled with a detailed FAQ section, the toolkit gives partner organisations explanations on some of the questions posed to NTSEAT on the subject of estate agency.

The toolkit is a working document which relies on input from Trading Standards services to give feedback on what areas would be of the most benefit to them.

While Trading Standards does not seem to be asking for input from agents, nevertheless, the toolkit can be seen here

And if you do want to give feedback, you can email estate.agency@powys.gov.uk or send a tweet to @tsestateagency