Enterprise Act 2002

Estate Agents Act 1979 (c. 38) E+W+S+N.I.

9 (1) The Estate Agents Act 1979 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 3 (orders prohibiting unfit persons from doing estate agency work)—

(a) in subsection (1), for “the Director General of Fair Trading (in this Act referred to as “the Director”)” there is substituted “ the Office of Fair Trading (in this Act referred to as “the OFT”) ”;

(b) for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”;

(c) in subsection (2), for “he” there is substituted “ it ”;

(d) in subsections (4) and (5), for “he” (in each place) and “him” there is substituted “ it ”;

and in the cross-heading before that section, for “Director General of Fair Trading” there is substituted “ Office of Fair Trading ”.

(3) In section 4 (warning orders)—

(a) for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”;

(b) in subsection (1), for “he” there is substituted “ it ”.

(4) In section 5 (supplementary provisions as to orders under sections 3 and 4), for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”.

(5) In section 6 (revocation and variation of orders under sections 3 and 4)—

(a) for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”;

(b) in subsection (1), for “him” there is substituted “ it ”;

(c) in subsections (3) to (5), for “he” (in each place) there is substituted “ it ”;

(d) in subsection (3), for “his” there is substituted “ its ”.

(6) In section 7 (appeals), in subsection (1), for “Director” (in both places) there is substituted “ OFT ”.

(7) In section 8 (register of orders etc.)—

(a) for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”;

(b) in subsection (1), for “him” and “his” there is substituted “ it ” and “ its ” respectively;

(c) in subsection (3), for “his” there is substituted “ its ”;

(d) in subsection (4), for “he” there is substituted “ it ”;

(e) in subsection (5), for “him” there is substituted “ it ”.

(8) In section 9 (information for the Director)—

(a) for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”;

(b) in subsection (1), for “him” (in each place) and “his” there is substituted “ it ” and “ its ” respectively.

(9) In—

(a) section 11 (powers of entry and inspection),

(b) section 13 (clients’ money held on trust or as agent), and

(c) section 15 (interest on clients’ money),

for “Director” there is substituted “ OFT ”.

(10) In section 17 (exemptions from section 16)—

(a) for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”;

(b) in subsection (1), for “he” and “him” there is substituted “ it ”;

(c) in subsection (5), for “he” and “his” (in both places) there is substituted “ it ” and “ its ” respectively.

(11) In—

(a) section 19 (regulation of pre-contract deposits outside Scotland),

(b) section 20 (regulation of pre-contract deposits in Scotland), and

(c) section 21 (transactions in which an estate agent has a personal interest),

for “Director” there is substituted “ OFT ”.

(12) In section 25 (general duties of Director)—

(a) for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”;

(b) in subsection (1), for “himself” there is substituted “ itself ”;

(c) in subsections (2) and (3), for “him” there is substituted “ it ”;

(d) in subsection (3), for “he” there is substituted “ it ”.

(13) In section 26 (enforcement authorities)—

(a) for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”;

(b) subsection (2) (requirement to notify Director of intended prosecution) is omitted;

(c) in subsection (4), for “him” and “he” there is substituted “ it ”.

(14) In—

(a) section 29 (service of notices etc.), and

(b) section 30 (orders and regulations),

for “Director” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ”.

(15) In section 33 (general interpretation provisions)—

(a) the definition of “Director” shall cease to have effect;

(b) in the definition of “general notice”, for “Director” and “him” there is substituted “ OFT ” and “ it ” respectively;

(c) after the definition of “general notice” there is inserted—

““OFT” means the Office of Fair Trading;”.

(16) In Schedule 2 (procedure etc.)—

(a) for “Director” and “Director’s” (in each place) there is substituted “ OFT ” and “ OFT’s ”;

(b) in paragraph 1, for “his” and “he” there is substituted “ its ” and “ it ” respectively;

(c) in paragraphs 3 and 5, for “he” there is substituted “ it ”;

(d) in paragraph 6, for “his” (in both places) and “he” (in both places) there is substituted “ its ” and “ it ” respectively;

(e) in paragraph 7, for “his” and “he” there is substituted “ its ” and “ it ” respectively;

(f) in paragraph 8, for “his”, “he” (in both places) and “him” there is substituted “ its ”, “ it ” and “ it ” respectively;

(g) in paragraph 9(1), for “his” (in both places) there is substituted “ its ”;

(h) in paragraph 10(2), for “he” there is substituted “ it ”.