A fast-growing NI estate agent has hit out at the Stormont administration for its failure to fully protect the public from unlicensed Estate Agents/Property Managers.

Sonia Millar, of CSM Estate Agents in south Belfast said: "I am disappointed that the Government has not legislated for all property professionals to be licensed."

Sonia - who started CSM in 1996 - and is a member of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), The Ombudsman Scheme, Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) and the National Approved Letting Scheme said: "As a member of the NAEA I have a client money protection bond, which ensures that all money we hold on behalf of clients is covered under an insurance bond.

"Those operators outside the recognised schemes will not be able to offer the same protection," she said.

CSM is a busy estate agency based on the Lisburn Road, who specialise in finding tenants, managing properties, in Belfast and block management of apartment developments and mixed development tenures, Sonia explained.

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"Our team of experienced staff provides the necessary expertise and resources which enables us to carry out our role effectively and efficiently," the property executive continued.

"As well as the 'core' professionals, we have recently taken on four new staff in the last two months, bringing the team up to 13 and we are also expanding into cross-border business, looking after two developments in the Irish Republic - one in Monaghan and other in Castleblaney."

She also said that CSM has bespoke software system pertinent to block management and lettings that provides transparent and up-to-date information.

"The system provides accurate information for the reapportionment of accounts when selling property which is invaluable to both the solicitor and managing agent," she explained, also noting that quality contractor back up for maintenance and repairs is on hand too.

However, on the issue of the protection of customers, Sonia Millar is adamant that not all estate agencies are the same: "CSM is covered by the requisite Public Liability Insurance and Client Money Protection Bond - that protects any deposits, rents, service charge we hold - with expenditure for the maintenance of communal areas for commercial management customers, for example, having legal and financial implications that must be provided for as well."

Directing her comments at the local Assembly and the Stormont Executive ministers, Sonia has proposed that all agents in the property field are licensed, thus ensuring that the public are protected.

"The only way to ensure this is to change the relevant legislation and I think the time has come to move ahead on this issue," she concluded.

See: www.csmni.com

(BMcC/GK)