Yes. If you're sourcing or packaging property deals for clients in the UK, you're legally required to register with one of the two government-approved redress schemes, The Property Ombudsman (TPO) or Property Redress.
It's a legal requirement under the Estate Agents Act 1979, and operating without it can result in fines or your business being shut down.
What redress schemes actually do
Redress schemes give your clients an independent, free way to raise a complaint against you, and the power to award compensation of up to £25,000 if a complaint is upheld.
Registration signals that you're operating to a recognised professional standard, which is increasingly something clients check for before working with a sourcing agent.
TPO or Property Redress?
Both are government-approved and do the same core job, but they differ in structure, registration process, and cost. We've covered the full comparison, including current pricing, in detail here:
Read the full guide: Understanding Property Redress Schemes →
Or go straight to your selected redress page for each scheme:
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) →
Watch Tina chat through more about Redress Schemes
Where this fits
Redress scheme registration usually comes after Companies House, ICO, and insurance, and alongside HMRC AML registration. If you're working through your registrations in order:
Visit the compliance registrations hub →
Want the practical side covered too, contracts, terms of business, and what "compliant" looks like day to day? See our CPD certified training →
