Solutions to House Price and Rental Crisis??(Ideas), page-147

Yes, Bunn, there's rotten apples in all professions - from the highest to the lowest. But don't be too hard on estate agents. Keep in mind that they are only there to market the property, facilitate inspections and act as go be-tweens during the negotiating phase. It is up the responsibility of the vendor and buyer both to do their own due diligence - keeping in mind the vendor is the agents' client and the buyer the customer; noting there is a disparity between the agents' responsibilities.
I also make the point that the said mechanics of due diligence is far improved these days with the internet and independent specialist advice available to qualify the sale.