The Estate & Letting Agent Awards, better known as the ESTAS, will be recognising the efforts of individuals within agencies next year.

“The ESTAS has always been, and will continue to be a team competition, but we also believe that staff who’ve been integral to the customer service experience should be recognised” said Simon Brown, owner of the awards.

Ailsa Mather from Northumbria & Cumbria Estate Agents who received a highly commended award said “The ESTAS are a team effort, but to be singled out as an individual award winner, I was in total shock! It has taken a while for it to sink in, and it’s an honour and a privilege to have won such a prestigious award in such a challenging market. In our profession a minority of poor agents give our industry a bad name, so it’s important that these awards highlight the amount of good work that good estate agents do.”

The ESTAS, sponsored by Zoopla, rate the level of customer service provided by agents by asking customers to complete a questionnaire. In 2011 there were 400 agent entries and 26,000 client questionnaires; 200 agents have already signed up for 2012.

Nick Leeming, Business Development Director at Zoopla said, “The growing number of ESTA agents and entries is proof that the industry is keen to gain valuable insight into how the public rate their businesses. The awards are aligned with our own business objectives and we’re delighted to again be the headline sponsor”.

Simon Brown said, “With tough market conditions agents are already thinking about their marketing strategy for 2012 and how they can differentiate themselves. Being part of the ESTAS gives agents an immediate USP they can build on”.

The ESTAS will be presented by Phil Spencer on 20 April at the Hilton, Park Lane, London. Phil said, “The ESTAS are the most important and valuable awards in our industry. An ESTA is not an easy accolade to pick up, to win one requires a lot of hard work, over a very long period of time.” Agents must sign up for the ESTAS by 1st September 2011 if they wish their staff to be eligible for the individual awards.