Association of International Property Professionals
PROFESSIONAL BODY TO PROTECT OVERSEAS PROPERTY BUYERS
A new trade association, which sets out to enhance the professionalism of the international property industry, was launched on 16 March 2006.
The intention of the Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) is to develop a more positive profile for the industry; to improve educational and training standards; to ensure purchasers receive high quality customer care throughout the sales process; to provide a collective voice for the industry on key issues; and to provide regulation, thereby giving the public an industry reference point and recognisable kite mark for quality assurance.
The association’s chief executive officer is Paul Owen, who, as a former sales and marketing director of a company specialising in French property, has many years’ experience in the international property sector.
A new trade association, which sets out to enhance the professionalism of the international property industry, was launched on 16 March 2006.
The intention of the Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) is to develop a more positive profile for the industry; to improve educational and training standards; to ensure purchasers receive high quality customer care throughout the sales process; to provide a collective voice for the industry on key issues; and to provide regulation, thereby giving the public an industry reference point and recognisable kite mark for quality assurance.
The association’s chief executive officer is Paul Owen, who, as a former sales and marketing director of a company specialising in French property, has many years’ experience in the international property sector.
“This is a totally unregulated market, worth hundreds of millions of pounds each year,” comments Owen. “It is unacceptable that the consumer is at the mercy of his own research into companies operating in this sector. Guidance from some authoritative source is long overdue.”
To become a member of the AIPP, companies must have been operating in the international property sector for at least three years, and possess suitable qualifications, where applicable. Members will submit to industry standard training, abide by the association’s Code of Conduct, and be bound by the Disciplinary Procedure.
“The benefits of being a member of the AIPP are numerous. It will tell the public that the company can be trusted, that it is professional, and that it follows the strict guidelines established to help consumers choose where to spend their money,” continues Owen. “If companies break the rules, they will face the consequences of losing their membership and, with it, the trust of the public.”
Owen concludes: “The challenge is take our message and our standards to the consumer, to give them confidence, and to make the AIPP the official stamp of approval for the overseas property buyer.”
The AIPP is a non-profit organisation. Its Constitution, Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Procedure and (from 16 March) a list of members can be found on the association’s website, www.aipp.org.uk
To become a member of the AIPP, companies must have been operating in the international property sector for at least three years, and possess suitable qualifications, where applicable. Members will submit to industry standard training, abide by the association’s Code of Conduct, and be bound by the Disciplinary Procedure.
“The benefits of being a member of the AIPP are numerous. It will tell the public that the company can be trusted, that it is professional, and that it follows the strict guidelines established to help consumers choose where to spend their money,” continues Owen. “If companies break the rules, they will face the consequences of losing their membership and, with it, the trust of the public.”
Owen concludes: “The challenge is take our message and our standards to the consumer, to give them confidence, and to make the AIPP the official stamp of approval for the overseas property buyer.”
The AIPP is a non-profit organisation. Its Constitution, Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Procedure and (from 16 March) a list of members can be found on the association’s website, www.aipp.org.uk