Regulations you must follow when dealing with customers

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC) and Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 (BPRs).

If your marketing of property or services could reach consumers or business customers in the UK, these regulations apply regardless of:

• which country you're based in
• which country the property for sale or let is located in

We're working with property portals and industry groups to make it as easy as possible for estate and letting agents to give basic essential material information.

By publishing more material information, we believe there's an opportunity to:

• increase confidence for buyers and tenants
• facilitate swift, well-informed decisions about property transactions

Find out more about our work on the National Trading Standards website

If you don't comply with the DMCC or BPRs

If you don't comply with the DMCC and BPRs, you may face enforcement action.  

Several consumer enforcement bodies, for example local authority Trading Standards Services or the Competition and Markets Authority, enforce these regulations.  

Formal enforcement action isn't taken automatically. Enforcers must promote compliance by the most appropriate means. This can range from helping the business meet their legal obligations with guidance and assistance, through to formal enforcement action.

Other consumer protection legislation

When dealing with consumers you need to comply with trading standards and consumer protection legislation, including but not limited to:

• Consumer Rights Act 2015
• Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
• Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013
• Companies Act 2006
• The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015
• Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017
• Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 (as amended) and the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015

The Business Companion has free and impartial information for businesses and individuals that need to know about trading standards and consumer protection legislation.