As the housing market slumps and energy prices rise, Homes Matter brings together organisations from the energy supply, estate agency, conveyancing, mortgage and energy installation industries to help sellers improve the value and saleability of their homes. Buyers will benefit from obtaining a Home Condition Report up front along with implementation of energy efficiency measures that lower energy bills and carbon emissions, at no cost to themselves. Low, fixed cost estate agency and conveyancing services will also be provided.
Nigel Farren, Homes Matter, says: "Despite the Government, Conservative Party, WHICH?, environmental groups and a whole host of other organisations being supportive of the initiative, Rightmove will not allow us to advertise the service because the estate agency fees will be substantially less than those charged by other agents including their shareholders, Connells and Halifax. Newspapers and other portals such as Globrix, Propertyfinder and fish4homes will allow us to advertise, so why not Rightmove?”
Farren continues: "In other financial service sectors such as loans, mortgages and insurance, there is transparency in price. Unfortunately, this does not apply in estate agency where there is collusion to keep prices high. The Competition Act prohibits anti-competitive practices and we have written to the Office of Fair Trading asking them to investigate the matter. If Rightmove is found guilty of infringing the Act, we understand the OFT has power to levy fines up to 10% of turnover. We have also requested that Connells and Halifax be made to sell their shares to help prevent any future decisions being made that hinder choice for consumers.”
