A new report reveals how real estate listing compliance rules are being violated and how consumers are losing out on important information that real estate agents are legally required to provide upfront about a property. It becomes clear that we are not getting what we are getting.
To compile the report, HomeOwners Alliance analyzed 150 rental property listings across three major portals: Rightmove, Zoopla and OntheMarket. 
No EPC
They found that a quarter of properties did not even have an energy performance certificate, which has been legally required since 2013.
It also identified significant gaps in the provisions for the unavoidable costs of owning a property (such as service charges, ground rent and council tax), which the Trading Standards clearly state must be listed on all properties. There is.
Key findings include:
94% of properties state whether the property is leasehold or freehold, but fewer than two-thirds (62%) mention service charges and provide details of ground rent. Less than half (49%) include a date, and only a minority (9%) include a date. The next rent review is scheduled.
No city tax band
A further 24% of properties did not include an Energy Performance Certificate rating and only two-thirds included a council tax allowance, despite it being mandatory for all properties. . Properties in London were less likely to include council tax (55%) than in Manchester (77%).
Only 9 out of 45 high-rise property listings mentioned the EWS1 certificate required by lenders, and less than 5% included details about the property's accessibility or restrictions.
Commenting on the findings, Homeowners Alliance CEO Paula Higgins said:
“But right after that, we want to know what could be a deal breaker. Is it an apartment with only a few years left on the lease, or an exorbitant service charge?
A year later, things are still patchy and there simply isn't enough. ”
“Does having cladding mean you have a hard time getting a mortgage and could face unreasonable costs? Does having a lower energy rating mean your home costs twice as much to run? Do you mean?
“Therefore, any move by the industry to step up the provision of information that can have a significant impact on home buying decisions is very welcome.
“But a year later, the situation is still patchy and not quite good enough.
“Homeowners don't have to wait until three months later to find out that their ground rent is going to double and that their home's utility bills will be more expensive than their current home, and they don't have to pay hundreds in legal fees and inspections. I've spent so much money on it. I can't get a mortgage because of the exterior.”
