Advertisment
An online listing for a property was listed as being a three-bed house.
The advertisement stated:
‘3 Bed. 1 Bath. Terrace’
Under the description heading it included the following statements:
‘a superb three bedroomed property presented in excellent condition throughout’
‘This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a turnkey three bedroom property in a prime location with every conceivable amenity on your doorstep.’
Complaint
The complainant stated that the property was advertised as a 3-bed home but believed one of the rooms did not meet the requirements to be used as a bedroom, as it lacked a compliant fire escape. They stated that the room had only a single means of escape via the door and that its sole external opening was a skylight, which they believed did not constitute an escape opening. They considered the claim that the property contained three bedrooms to be, therefore, misleading.
Response
The advertiser stated that the property had been incorrectly described as a three-bedroom home due to an oversight. They acknowledged the error and advised that the listing had since been amended to correct the description.
Conclusion
Complaint Upheld
The Independent Complaints Council considered the detail of the complaint and the advertisers’ response, including that the advertising had been amended.
The Council noted that the ad complaint was that one of the rooms described as a bedroom could not be considered a bedroom as it had only a single means of escape via the door.
The Council noted the requirements of the Code that an advertisement should not mislead, or be likely to mislead, by inaccuracy, ambiguity, exaggeration, omission or otherwise (S. 4.1)
The Council acknowledged that the advertising had been amended to correct the description of the property. However, as the property should not have been described as a 3-bed property, the advertising at the time of the complaint was likely to mislead and in breach of Code Sections 4.1.
Action Required: As the advertising had been amended, no further action was necessary. The Council reminded advertisers of the need for accuracy in describing property accommodation.
