Propertymark's position
We believe that regulation offers huge potential to professionalise the sector by:
- Providing qualifications and continued professional development for professionals working in the sector
- Protecting public safety when combined with adequately resourced enforcement
- Delivering greater levels of consistency and a joined-up approach
- Safeguarding consumers from receiving a low quality of services
Outside of regulatory requirements for letting agents in Scotland and Wales, there are no minimum standards to work in the sector and there are no statutory rules to ensure letting agents are suitably qualified. Additionally, agents who are not members of a professional body do not have to meet minimum competency standards.
Recent consultation responses
16 Apr 2024
Stormont has the chance to address critical housing issues with policy refresh
The Department for Communities (DfC) is refreshing it's proposals for reform of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) which were first published in 2017. In response to their stakeholder survey, Propertymark has urged the DfC to prioritise increasing housing supply, regulating property agents, and taking a carefully considered approach to energy efficiency targets.
10 Apr 2024
PRS tenants must not be left behind as social sector raises standards
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities intends to boost standards in social housing by requiring senior managers and executives to have, or be working towards, a relevant qualification. Propertymark has strongly challenged the decision not to extend this requirement to all property agents in the UK, and questioned why private tenants should not expect the same protections as those in the social sector.
22 Jan 2024
Solving leasehold injustice could have bigger benefits
The UK Government should take advantage of the momentum in leasehold reform to stamp out ground rents, invigorate property sales, and promote professional management of leasehold property by qualified and regulated agents.
Latest news
02 Sep 2024
Propertymark agent could have saved MP from rental flats scandal
Jas Athwal, MP, has endured a weekend of backlash after reports revealed his tenants were living in flats containing black mould and an infestation of ants. It was also discovered that Mr Athwal, previously the leader of Redbridge Council who introduced the scheme, had not correctly renewed the selective licences for his properties.
22 May 2024
Lords frustrated by UK Government response on RoPA
The Chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee in the House of Lords, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, has written to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), expressing disappointment at the UK Government’s response to findings of the Committee’s inquiry into the need for the regulation of property agents.
20 May 2024
PRS needs greater professionalism says Labour-backed report
A report commissioned by the Labour Party states that the opportunity to live in a secure, affordable and accessible home is out of reach for many people, and this is set to remain the case unless the system is changed significantly. They state that landlords and agents should be registered and accredited, recommend rent stabilisation measures, and support longer term tenancies based on the model of Rent Smart Wales.
