Brexit brouhaha
It seems to me that it is only the top end of the market in London that is concerned about Brexit, presumably because they have had a fantastic run and naturally do not want it to end.
Those of us earning a living 200 miles up the M6 are just getting the benefit of the London boom and no-one is mentioning Brexit as a reason not to do anything or to “chip the price”.
John Fifield, chairman, Fifield Glyn
Ditching double dipping
I have written many times about my concerns regarding agents acting for vendor and purchaser on investment sales, or a single agent acting for landlord and tenant on a rent review or any other negotiated or litigated transaction.
In view of the security risk of one firm acting for both parties, I fail to understand why an instructed agent cannot make a referral of the purchaser or tenant to another agent, who will then in turn give him back as much work when he gets conflicted.
I am very pleased that the RICS is now looking into this (Estates Gazette,14 May, p29), but still there is an inference that, if an informed consent is obtained from all parties, it overrides a ban from acting for both parties in a transaction.
Even though Chinese walls are meant to be arranged in such circumstances, the situation is open to abuse, especially when a purchaser or lessee is advised by an agent working in the same department as his colleague who is acting for the vendor or lessor.
Well done to the RICS on getting involved, and hopefully double dipping will become a thing of the past.
Anthony Lorenz, managing director, Lorenz Consultancy
