A MAN has been banned from working as an estate agent in Scotland following a conviction for fraud.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) took action against Roderick Yule, an estate agent in Fife, preventing him from working in the profession.
The watchdog, which has the power to "strike off" anyone breaking the law, made a prohibition order again
st Mr Yule after having found that he was unfit to carry out estate agency work.
Mike Haley, the OFT's head of consumer protection, said action would be taken against those who were unfit to work in the industry.
Mr Haley said it was vital that consumers knew they were choosing an agent who was honest and trustworthy.
Mr Yule, 22, from Edinburgh, had until yesterday to appeal against the decision.
The prohibition order was made on 21 April, although it does not come into operation until after the appeal period has expired.
Mr Yule can apply for the order to be revoked, on paying a fee of £2,500 to the OFT.
A spokesman for the OFT said: "The police informed us that an estate agent had been convicted of an offence of fraud.
"If someone has a conviction for fraud, dishonesty or violence they can be banned from working as an estate agent."
The case also raises serious questions about the policing of the property industry, amid concerns that anyone can work as an estate agent without any formal qualifications.
The National Association of Estate Agents confirmed that the industry was self-regulating.
"Members of the NAEA have to adhere to strict codes of practice, but not all estate agents are members," said an association spokeswoman.
"There is no legislation compelling them to be a member.
"We would recommend that people look for the NAEA logo so that they know (the estate agents] are professionally qualified," she added.
The full article contains 314 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
