Estate agents that have had action taken against them by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) are listed on a new online register.
The OFT published the document this week, which gives would-be homebuyers and tenants the option to check which companies would be best to avoid.
Consumers will be able to check that the firms they are dealing with are legitimate and law-abiding.
It comes after the Communities and Local Government department announced that it wants to create a register for private landlords in the UK, which it hopes will help clamp down on rogue traders.
Other information on the internet database includes guidance for people who want to report suspected breaches by an agent.
Mike Haley, OFT director of consumer protection, remarked: "The online register gives consumers direct access to important information explaining where we have taken action against estate agents."
Written by John Weeks
