An estate agent from Essex has been issued with a warning order after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) ruled that he had failed to obey provisions in the Estate Agents (Undesirable Practices) (No.2) Order 1991.

Andrew Farquharson, a former employee of Bairstow Eves in Wanstead, east London, is accused of not giving sellers offers in writing twice and was accused of "serious misrepresentation" after he signed a certificate of value for the Court of Protection, without the appropriate credentials.

He is also said to have failed to comply with Bairstow Eves'' company policies on money laundering, complaints procedures and the sale to property developers.

Ray Hall, director of markets and projects at the OFT, said: "This case shows how the OFT will take steps to protect consumers and take appropriate action to ensure that estate agents meet their legal obligations."

Mr Farquharson has until September 21st to appeal against the ruling, after which date the order will come into effect.

A warning order can be issued for a number of offences, such as failing to belong to a redress scheme, and can lead to a prohibition order being imposed if the agent continues to break the law.