Commentary on Sections Schedule 27 - Minor and consequential amendments Paragraphs 62 and 63 - Estate Agents Act 1979 (c. 38)
972.Section 27(1) of the Estate Agents Act 1979 makes it an offence for a person to obstruct certain authorised officers. Section 27(4) provides that nothing in subsection (1) requires a person to answer any question or give any information if to do so might incriminate that person or that person’s husband or wife. Paragraph 62 amends section 27(4) to extend it so that a person will not be required, by section 27(1), to answer any question or give any information that might incriminate that person’s civil partner.
973.Under the Estate Agents Act 1979, estate agents are required to make full disclosure to their clients of any personal interest, whether direct or indirect, so that their clients are aware of any potential conflict of interest. This personal interest can include those of any associate of theirs or the estate agent. “Associate” is defined in section 32 of the Act and includes spouses or relatives. The amendments made by paragraph 63 include civil partners or relatives by civil partnership within the definition of section 32.