Homeowners don't trust estate agents

Estate agents are among the professionals least trusted by homeowners, new research shows.

Only window-cleaners, builders and decorators are less trusted by homeowners, with many feeling uncomfortable about leaving them in their house alone.

Eighteen per cent of people said estate agents were the people they were least likely to trust left in their home alone, research by insurer More Than shows.

The prospect of estate agents showing people around their home unaccompanied, made 69 per cent of homeowners feel uncomfortable. And more than half of homeowners go out of their way to ensure they are always present at a viewing.

The recent BBC Whistleblower documentary has not helped the public to trust estate agents, uncovering problems such as over-valuing, false offers and developer back-handers.

Today's research is unlikely to improve this picture, with one in ten people having experienced a dispute over payment of fees or commission with an estate agent.

"Moving home is stressful enough without having to consider whether the person who is supposed to be assisting you is trustworthy," said More Than's Craig Allen.

"While we hope that for most people, the experience of dealing with estate agents is a smooth one, there are those for whom problems do arise."

Window cleaners were identified as the least trusted professionals by 31 per cent of people, while 26 per cent of people do not trust builders and decorators. XXX