Estate Agents Act 1979

4 Warning orders. U.K.

[F1 (1) If the OFT is satisfied that any of subsections (1A), (1B) or (1C) apply in relation to a person it may by order notify that person that it is satisfied of the matters mentioned in that subsection.

(1A) This subsection applies in relation to a person if—

(a) in the course of estate agency work, he has engaged in conduct falling within paragraph (a), (b), (c), (ca) or (cb) of section 3(1); and

(b) were he to engage again in any conduct falling within that paragraph, the OFT would consider him unfit and proceed to make a prohibition order.

(1B) This subsection applies in relation to a person if—

(a) in the course of estate agency work, he has engaged in conduct constituting a failure to comply with—

(i) an undertaking mentioned in section 3(1)(ba); or

(ii) an enforcement order mentioned in section 3(1)(bb); and

(b) were he to fail again to comply with that undertaking or order by engaging in the same or similar conduct, the OFT would consider him unfit and proceed to make a prohibition order.

(1C) This subsection applies in relation to a person if—

(a) in the course of estate agency work, he has engaged in a practice mentioned in section 3(1)(d); and

(b) were he to engage again in that practice, the OFT would consider him unfit and proceed to make a prohibition order.]

(2) An order under this section shall state whether, in the opinion of the [F2 OFT] , [F3 further conduct as mentioned in subsection (1A)(b) or (1B)(b) or engaging again in the practice specified in the order, as the case may be, ] is addressed unfit to carry on estate agency work generally or estate agency work of a description specified in the order.

(3) If, after an order has been made under this section, the person to whom it is addressed [F4 engages in further conduct as mentioned in subsection (1A)(b) or (1B)(b) or engages again in the practice specified in the order, as the case may be, ] in accordance with subsection (2) above; and the [F2 OFT] may proceed to make an order under section 3 above accordingly.

[F5 (4) In this section “unfit” means unfit as mentioned in subsection (2) of section 3 and “prohibition order” means an order under that section.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 4(1)-(1C) substituted for s. 4(1) (1.10.2008) by Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17), ss. 56(2), 66(2) (with s. 48(3)); S.I. 2008/905, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F2 Word in s. 4 substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 9(3)(a); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

F3 Words in s. 4(2) substituted (1.10.2008) by Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17), ss. 56(3), 66(2) (with s. 48(3)); S.I. 2008/905, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F4 Words in s. 4(3) substituted (1.10.2008) by Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17), ss. 56(4), 66(2) (with s. 48(3)); S.I. 2008/905, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F5 S. 4(4) inserted (1.10.2008) by Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17), ss. 56(5), 66(2) (with s. 48(3)); S.I. 2008/905, art. 3(2), Sch. 2