The ways people seek property advice are changing fast. Social media platforms are flooded with content on how to buy, invest, flip, or rent property. TikTok videos promise overnight success, WhatsApp groups offer ‘exclusive’ investment tips, and influencer-led seminars promote strategies that often sound too good to be true. It’s a far cry from the days when buyers relied solely on their solicitor, agent, or financial advisor.
At first glance, this wider access to property knowledge may seem like a positive step. More voices, more choice, more tools for learning. Yet as the advice market becomes more crowded, so does the potential for confusion. Not everyone offering guidance is qualified. Not all advice comes with accountability. And once money has changed hands or deals have been struck, the risks often reveal themselves too late.
Panorama’s revelation on Monday July 15th offered a sharp reminder that even the more traditional parts of the property world are not immune from scrutiny. The programme shone a light on questionable practices by some estate agents, highlighting pressure tactics, blurred lines around transparency, and a general lack of oversight in parts of the market. For many viewers, it may have confirmed suspicions they already had. For others, it could serve as a wake-up call.
What stood out wasn’t just the behaviour of a few individuals. It was how vulnerable the public can be when information is unclear, trust is misplaced, or no one seems willing to take responsibility. When you combine this with the unregulated surge in online property advice, it adds another layer of concern.
This Thursday on Property Quorum, we’re taking a closer look at this increasingly grey area. The appeal of fast-track property knowledge is clear. Short videos can make complex legal or financial topics feel simple. Group chats promise inside information. Paid workshops claim to give buyers a head start. Yet behind these offers, the lines of responsibility are less obvious.
If a traditional advisor gives poor advice, there’s usually a clear route for complaint or redress. There are rules, and there’s a professional body. With TikTok coaches or informal online mentors, that’s rarely the case. Many don’t carry indemnity insurance. Others avoid using regulated terms entirely. So when something goes wrong, and it often does, buyers and sellers are left wondering where to turn.
Today’s discussion brings together a mix of legal, development and conveyancing experience. Gareth Wax chairs the session as always, joined by conveyancing collaborator Hamish McLay. Juliet Baboolal, an experienced property lawyer, returns alongside Wendy Gibson, a returning contributor known for raising concerns about build quality and oversight in new developments.
We’ll be exploring how professionals in the sector are responding, what buyers and sellers need to be more aware of, and whether formal regulation is keeping up with the modern landscape. Property is a high-stakes environment. Misinformation or misplaced trust can have serious consequences. It affects not only the buyer or seller, but the professionals who later get brought in to try and fix things.
This episode doesn’t dismiss new ways of learning or sharing ideas. It focuses instead on the risks that arise when guidance is given without accountability.
Join us live at 10am on Thursday 17th July on our YouTube channel.
Watch live on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SpillingTheProper-Tea
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