The Property Ombudsman's Sales Code Achieves Scheme Approval with the Trading Standards Institute

TPO has also become the largest organisation to be accredited by the Consumer Code Approval Scheme since its launch after TSI officially approved its Sales Code, which nearly 12,000 sales agents have signed up to.

As the largest property ombudsman scheme in the UK, TPO has more than 22,000 registered agents and the scheme has attracted more than 95 percent of the residential sales market to sign up for its Code of Practice and redress service.

The Consumer Code Approval Scheme replaces the Office of Fair Trading scheme and enables agents to offer enhanced consumer protection, with 26,530 traders already signed up to one of the ten codes of practice.

TPO sales agents will now be able to display the TSI Approved Code logo in their advertising, branches and within company literature . Consumers will be able to look for TPO sales agents through a dedicated database on www.tradingstandards.uk, to find a member of an approved code in their area.

Confirming the news, Property Ombudsman Christopher Hamer said:

'I am delighted that TPO has become the largest organisation to win approval from TSI for its Consumer Code Approval Scheme. The TPO Code is a recognised set of standards throughout the industry but it is important that it is also seen as being independently approved by a credible organisation.

'With the OFT's withdrawal from the code approval process it is good news that TSI have stepped in to fulfil the important role of rigorous examination and approval for consumer-focussed codes.'

Mr Hamer added: 'This news means that agents who are members of TPO actively offer the highest level of consumer protection for buyers and sellers. We are in active discussions with TSI to achieve scheme approval for the Lettings Code of Practice.'

The scheme was given the Government's official backing by Consumer Minister Jo Swinson at the TSI's annual conference in Brighton. Jo welcomed TSI taking on the scheme and said it will boost consumer confidence and encourage economic growth.

Baroness Crawley of Edgbaston, chair of the new Consumer Codes Approval Board, which is responsible for independently evaluating the codes of practice operated by trade bodies, said: "Industry is well placed to understand the demands and expectations of their customers, but those consumers need the added confidence that industry codes of practice have been verified as fit for purpose by an independent body - that's where the Trading Standards Institute comes in."

The new scheme includes both a Consumer Advisory Panel, but also a permanent position for Citizens Advice on the Board. Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said: 'We deal with over a million consumer problems each year and know how difficult it is for people to find a seller they can trust, the Approved Trader Scheme will help to combat this.'

TPO is among the first trade bodies sponsoring the new code. It joins: British Association of Removers, British Healthcare Trades Association, Debt Managers Standards Association, Institute of Professional Will Writers, Motor Codes Ltd, Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd, Robert Bosch Ltd, The Carpet Foundation and Vehicle Builders Repairers Association Ltd.