estate agent

estate agent

a person who provides services for the marketing and sale of property. The extent of the authority of the agent depends on the terms of the agreement with the principal (see AGENCY). The business is now regulated by legislation. The Office of Fair Trading has powers to enforce the Act. So far as the day-to-day conduct of their business is concerned, estate agents must comply with the provisions of the Property misdescriptions legislation, as must others who carry out similar work such as solicitors.