A ROSSENDALE estate agent today welcomed an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading into practices in the industry.
The inquiry has been launched amid allegations that estate agents are taking advantage of increasing property prices to exploit home buyers.
But former councillor Clive Balchin, of Rossendale-based estate agents Moving Works, is happy with the news.
He said: "There is a growing feeling that estate agents may be cashing in on the rising house prices and there is even a suggestion that they are helping force prices up.
"It is only right that they should be stamped out. We have a duty or care to achieve this."
House prices nationally are on course to rise by 20 per cent this year and the OFT are set to question estate agents because of a growing feeling that consumers are receiving a poor deal.
"We want people to be able to trust us and, if there are bad operators out there, then it is only right that the consumer is protected," added Clive. "We would be more than happy to give our support to the inquiry team."
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