Licensing of managing and letting agents, and of landlords, looks set to become reality.
And, despite the mess that tenancy deposit protection law is currently in, this is to be extended.
Assured Shorthold Tenancies are to encompass all tenancies worth up to £100,000 a year – raised from the current threshold of £25,000. This requirement will push a further 150,000 tenancies into the tenancy deposit schemes.
By this summer, there could also be a ‘Trip Adviser’ style website where tenants could rate or slate their landlords and properties – and probably agents too.
Housing minister John Healey has issued a new policy statement, ‘The Private Rented Sector: Professionalism and Quality: consultation responses and next steps’.
It makes clear that the Government intends to establish a national register of landlords and introduce full regulation of letting and managing agents.
The Government will consult on whether regulation is handled independently, or by industry bodies.
Ian Potter, ARLA operations manager, said: “This is a long overdue response: 14% of the population now live in private rented accommodation and the sector looks set to grow significantly as it becomes more difficult to get a foot on the housing ladder.
“There is even greater need for a register of landlords, full regulation of agents, and changes to the AST.
“We support the Government in its move towards full regulation of agents.”
He added: “The positive reaction of the public to ARLA’s licensing scheme for letting agents has proven the model for self-regulation in the industry. We hope that the Government chooses to use this model in its own scheme for the regulation of letting agents and landlords.
“I can say with confidence that those living in rented accommodation are more concerned about the roof over their heads than political posturing, and it is of paramount importance that these measures are not lost in or around the election.”
However, the National Landlords Association said the ideas were ‘unworkable’ and the British Property Federation said there was growing hostility towards registration of landlords.
.png)
Comments
So Ian Potter said “The positive reaction of the public to ARLA’s licensing scheme for letting agents has proven the model for self-regulation in the industry. We hope that the Government chooses to use this model in its own scheme for the regulation of letting agents and landlords.
What positive reaction ??? ARLA have been a mess lately, is this plonker living in a dream world.
This takes me back a year or two ! I remember the articled pupils competing to go empty the meters at the nurses flat ... These days property management seems to have become more technical ...
So when and where can we post our comments about the conduct of the tenants and their ability to pay.
......Trip Advisor style website where tenants could rate or slate their landlords and properties – and probably agents too......
HERE WE GO AGAIN...another way for 'consumers' to bash agents (for free?) with no responsibility for their, in many cases ignorant and frivolous, actions??