The boss of one of the self-employed business model agencies has come out in favour of minimum entry level qualifications – but with an important caveat.

Head of eXp UK, Adam Day, says: “The lack of qualification required to be an agent is a hot topic that has been raised on many occasions and it’s clear that, in the modern day property market, many agents believe there should be some form of entry requirement.

“We’ve seen the education sector evolve over the years to offer more hands-on vocations to students and providing a clearer pathway to entering the profession could help encourage more people to pursue a path as an agent.

“But whilst it’s clear that agents do see the value in a sector focussed qualification, agency remains a role that is best mastered on the ground, learning on the job, not in a classroom.”

A survey of agents commissioned by Day has found that despite there being no formal qualification required to become an estate agent, 30% hold GCSE level qualifications, 30% have a university degree or similar, with a further 9% holding a masters degree.

Despite this, just 23% believe that there should be a mandatory level of education required in order to become an estate agent and just 29% believe that those who have completed higher education make for better estate agents. 

When it came to their first job in estate agency, just 35% were required to complete any form of training course or similar when first starting their career. 

However, 68% stated that they believe there should be a specific qualification implemented in order to become an agent. 

Despite the widespread belief that there should be some form of barrier to entry when becoming an agent, 83% maintain that the role itself is one best learnt on the ground, rather than in a classroom.