Who regulates UK property professionals?
Different parts of the UK property process are overseen by different bodies. Solicitors, estate agents, surveyors and mortgage advisers do not all answer
On this page
Different parts of the UK property process are overseen by different bodies. Solicitors, estate agents, surveyors and mortgage advisers do not all answer to the same regulator. This page sets out the main bodies named in the source material. It also shows where you can check whether a firm or individual appears on the relevant public register or scheme.
Solicitors: the SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority regulates solicitors in England and Wales. It also maintains a public register, which you can use to check whether a firm or individual is authorised.
Estate agents: redress schemes
All residential estate agents must join a government-approved redress scheme: The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme. An agent who does not join can be fined up to £5,000.
Surveyors: RICS
RICS regulates chartered surveyors and keeps a register of RICS-regulated firms and members. Some shared ownership valuations also require a RICS-registered surveyor.
Mortgage advisers: the FCA
The Financial Conduct Authority regulates mortgage advice and mortgage lending in the UK. You can check whether a firm is authorised on the FCA Financial Services Register.
How to check anyone
The practical check in each case is to use the relevant public list named in the source material. For solicitors, use the SRA register. For mortgage firms, use the FCA Financial Services Register. For chartered surveyors and regulated firms, use the RICS register. Residential estate agents must belong to either The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme.
What this page does not cover
This page does not cover leasehold, lease extensions, shared ownership or staircasing; those topics have their own guides.
Key facts
| Fact | Status |
|---|---|
| Solicitors are regulated by the SRA; check the public register. | verified |
| Mortgage advice and lending are regulated by the FCA. | verified |
| Chartered surveyors are regulated by RICS. | verified |
| Estate agents must join the Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme. | verified |
Source: GOV.UK - Redress scheme for estate agencies — Guidance checked August 2026
Source: SRA Register (fetched for directory pilot) — Guidance checked August 2026
Source: FCA Financial Services Register — Guidance checked August 2026
Source: RICS — Guidance checked August 2026
Related guideContinue reading the lease extension 80 year rule guide.Related guideContinue reading the service charges explained guide.Related guideContinue reading the ews1 cladding explained guide.Find a solicitor for your purchaseCompare SRA-regulated firms for conveyancing and leasehold work.Browse all guidesReturn to the full guide index.
Sources
- GOV.UK - Redress scheme for estate agencies - Guidance checked August 2026
- SRA Register (fetched for directory pilot) - Guidance checked August 2026
- FCA Financial Services Register - Guidance checked August 2026
- RICS - Guidance checked August 2026
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