The panel members were Mr Jim Atkins PPNAEA (Honoured) (member panellist acting as the Chairperson for the Tribunal); Ms Jacqueline Stone FNAEA (member panellist); and Mrs Suzanne Smith (lay panellist).
The presenting Case Officer for Propertymark was Mr Ali Haider. Mr Quayson attended the Hearing online via Zoom.
The Hearing took place in private and was recorded.
Allegations
The Tribunal considered the allegations set out in the case summary sent to Mr Quayson.
It was alleged that Mr Quayson had acted in contravention of the requirements of the following Propertymark Conduct & Membership Rules:
- Conduct rule 1.25: Eligibility of Accountants
- Conduct rule 23: Continuing professional development (CPD) rules
Decision
Mr Quayson entered a plea denying the alleged breaches of the Rules 1.25 and 23.
After consideration of the evidence presented and submissions by the parties, the Tribunal announced the following findings:
- Conduct rule 1.25: Proven
- Conduct rule 23: Proven
Sanctions
- Conduct rule 1.25: Caution
- Conduct rule 23: £50
In addition, the costs of this Hearing of £485 were imposed against Mr Quayson in favour of Propertymark.
Closing Statement
The Tribunal made the following statement:
'We uphold the internal sanction of a caution by the Propertymark Compliance Department for a breach of Rule 1.25. In respect of the breach of Rule 23, we also uphold a sanction of a fine of £50 by the Propertymark Compliance Department. Should there be a repeated breach of this Rule, further sanctions will be imposed. CPD must be recorded for it to comply. It is not adequate for it just to have been carried out.
We must stress that our Rules require that an Accountant who is a member of one of the four recognised supervisory bodies and who must hold a practicing certificate with that body is the only one that can complete our annual Accountant’s Report. Being a member of one these bodies, without holding a practising certificate, is insufficient to cover the requirements of the Estate Agents Act 1979. A practicing certificate of any other body is not sufficient.
We also impose costs towards today’s Hearing of £485.'
Download the full report
The downloadable report shows the full details of the rules involved in this case.