The currently unregulated overseas property industry has seen some positive moves towards self regulation. One of these was the launch of The Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) .The aim of the organisation was improve standards of professionalism in the international property market. Members are vetted and sign up to commit to industry standard training and voluntarily sign up to a Code of Conduct. The purpose of the organisation was to help and protect the consumer when buying abroad.
So, what has AIPP achieved in the year to date?
1. Thursday 16th March 2006: THE BEGINNING OF SEPARATING GOOD COMPANIES FROM BAD
AIPP launches with 82 Members
There should be a difference between companies working properly, honestly, legally and professionally and those making little or no attempt to work this way. 82 Members were accepted at the first Board meeting, 82 companies committing themselves to our Code of Conduct to illustrate their professionalism to consumers.
2. Friday 29th September 2006: RAISING CONSUMER AWARENESS OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
AIPP releases its first Members Directory
A bagged supplement with A Place in the Sun magazine, this consumer guide with a full list of Members was covered editorially in the Daily Mail, Sunday Express, Evening Standard, OPP magazine and Belfast Telegraph, and advertised in Homes Overseas and Homes Worldwide magazines. 36,000 copies have been distributed. This has delivered a significant increase in the number of consumers asking ‘Are you an AIPP Member?’
3. Wednesday 25th October 2006: HELPING GOOD COMPANIES GET BETTER
AIPP launches its Member training programme
Members attended training seminars aimed at increasing professional knowledge.
Attendees signed up to using the methods, plans and techniques they had learnt on the course.
What the future holds for AIPP
AIPP state that they are on target to make significant improvements to this market in their first 2 years. Overseas property professional are encouraged to play a part in improving the market for the consumer and those employed in it.
Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) www.aipp.org.uk & www.aipp.ie
The Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents FOPDAC
The Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants was established in 1973 and like AIPP aims to unite agents, developers and specialist consultants who are active in the international property markets .Membership of the Federation is restricted to companies or individuals whose probity is beyond reasonable question. The individual principals must have the experience and professional expertise to meet the strict criteria set in the Federation’s Code of Ethics. The Committee of the Federation and its members provide a valuable reservoir of many cumulative years of experience in international property.
More information at www.fopdac.com
