If, on an application made to it in that behalf, the lead enforcement authority considers that a person engaged in estate agency work may, without loss of adequate protection to consumers, be exempted from all or any of the provisions of subsection (1) of section 16 above or of regulations under subsection (2) of that section, it may issue to that person a certificate of exemption under this section.
An application under subsection (1) above—
A certificate of exemption under this section—
If and so long as—
that person shall be exempt, to the extent so specified, from the provisions of subsection (1) of section 16 above and of any regulations made under subsection (2) of that section.
If the lead enforcement authority decides to refuse an application under subsection (1) above it shall give the applicant notice of its decision and of the reasons for it, including any facts which in its opinion justify the decision.
If a person who made an application under subsection (1) above is aggrieved by a decision of the lead enforcement authority—
he may appeal against the decision to the Secretary of State; and subsections (2) to (6) of section 7 above shall apply to such an appeal as they apply to an appeal under that section.
A person who fails to comply with any condition of exemption specified in a current certificate of exemption issued to him shall be liable on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction to a fine which, on summary conviction, shall not exceed the statutory maximum.