CIELA – the aspirant trade body for the industry – has revealed that it is in talks with three different parties about its future.
The Charter for Independent Estate and Letting Agents says it is now increasingly confident about its permanent future.
In a message to agents yesterday, it said: “We have three separate threads of discussion with potential parties who are each keen to form an alliance with CIELA.
“All three different parties share the same values as CIELA, have similar stated goals and believe that independent owner-managed agents are the life-blood of the industry and are under represented.
“We are therefore increasingly confident that a permanent future exists for CIELA.
“In light of today’s news about ever-increasing levels of misguided interference with the industry by the Government, it is more important than ever that independent agents secure better, highly effective representation at government level.
“The Government continues to impose more legislation that it does not have the resources to enforce, increasing the burden on small business to comply, but failing to ensure that all businesses do, thereby allowing the rogue agents who operate illegally to go unnoticed, further damaging the industry’s reputation.”
The email references Purplebricks and the recent Advertising Standards Authority ruling that the firm must state that a fee is payable whether or not the property is sold.
CIELA claims it is now considering whether to report Purplebricks to the police.
The email concludes: “The industry is undergoing the most severe challenges in a generation. Independent agents cannot fight alone, but only when united in significant numbers.”
We have approached Purplebricks for comment.
Comments (6)
“…the aspirant trade body for the industry…”
Thereby lies the issue. It isn’t “for the industry“
Just a bit of it.
Apparently, it is a very… VERY… small bit. Too small to launch for.
And somehow that’s partially or wholly being suggested as fault of three grumpy anonymous trolls on EYE.
You really couldn’t make it up.
Maybe it’s time for the right ‘someone’ to step up to the plate with an offering that will really work – in the best interests of the industry as a whole – and more importantly for the public we serve.
Such things take time and money to build. It’s no good deciding to be a sector champion in January wave a few sabres, spend a few quid on PR and expect this industry to fall at your feet, it doesn’t happen that quickly or that easily.
Doesn’t look like it will ever happen from where I’m standing. Too many “experts” jealous of anybody who tries something. Eager to disrupt because of any reason they can think of.
Divided and effectively conquered.
As seen on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/GrumpyOldEA/status/926348416040558592
For those that can’t be chuffed to click, ‘Mr Rutley’ asks
“…still confident of a future for itself! Really?”
to which CILLA replies (no Surprise Surprise)
“Yes we are! Despite all 3 of the PIE grumpy, naysaying anonymous trolls!”
I guess they would be the three that not only gifted Charlie-boy “his” idea for the whole embarrassing chapter here on the pages of EYE… the same three that he and his disciples have been avidly leeching every thought; squeezing every Tweet over the months and regurgitating them as CILLAs babies.
I thought the phrase used here was ‘Don’t feed the trolls”.
It seems in this case however that the hand of the trolls are all that is keeping CILLA alive.
This lot are in fantasy land
One just has to look at some of the unprofessional vitriolic nonsense that their founder puts out
I for one wouldn’t want them to be my voice
When this group was first trawling for contributors some of us took the time and trouble to research the people running CIELA before handing over any of our hard earned cash. It’s all easily available online – see Companies House for starters. Check out Charles Robert Wright / Charles Robert Lamdin – one and the same person. I wonder why he needs to use two names?