The recent revelations uncovered by BBC Panorama’s undercover investigation into the practices of several estate agents across the UK have brought to light a deeply troubling side of the property industry, one that we had hoped was long behind us. The documentary exposed behaviours that no agent should condone: misleading tactics, manipulation of vulnerable clients, and an apparent disregard for professional standards. What is particularly alarming is that some of the companies involved operate multiple brands under a wider corporate umbrella, potentially spreading these poor practices more widely than the public may realise. While legal limitations prevent us from naming the firms in question, the footage speaks volumes, showing an unsettling reality of how some individuals and agencies continue to exploit a profession built on trust.
As professionals who work in this industry every day, we are saddened and disheartened to see such disregard for the very people estate agents are supposed to serve. Sellers, landlords, tenants and buyers alike rely on agents not just to facilitate transactions, but to do so ethically, transparently and with their best interests in mind. When those expectations are not met and worse, when they are betrayed, it erodes public confidence in an entire sector. The actions seen in the programme are not only morally questionable, but in some cases appear to verge on or cross into unlawful territory.
We want to take this opportunity to reassure our clients and community that we take these issues extremely seriously. Every effort is made to ensure that anyone who entrusts us with their property or personal details is treated with fairness, discretion and dignity. Our internal processes are designed to safeguard information, provide clear and honest communication, and ensure accountability at every step. We believe that estate agency should be a profession rooted in integrity, not exploitation, and we strive to reflect that belief in our daily operations and culture.
This documentary has rightly sparked a renewed call for stronger laws, tighter regulations and more robust enforcement across the industry. We welcome that. We believe now is the time for meaningful reform, not just discussion. There is no place in this industry for rogue agents who cut corners, abuse trust or operate in the shadows of loosely monitored corporate structures. By holding all agents to higher standards, we can rebuild confidence in what should be a respected profession and make it harder for unethical practices to flourish.
Change must come, and we are ready to be part of it. We stand with those calling for a cleaner, fairer and more transparent property sector, one where clients come first and where ethical conduct is not optional but expected. We hope this investigation marks the beginning of a new chapter, where accountability takes priority and every agency is held to the standards that all clients rightfully deserve.