In February 2023, Gove stated that all property managers in the social rented sector should be qualified, and we urge him to extend this requirement to lettings, sales and managing agents in the private housing sector. At the Labour Party Conference in October 2023, Matthew Pennycook, MP, stated that if in government his party would introduce regulation as recommended by Lord Best in his 2019 report.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, will again re-state the case for action when he gives evidence to the RentersRenters (Reform) Bill Committee on 14 November 2023
What regulation should look like
Regulation offers huge potential to professionalise the sector. All property agents should be qualified to at least Level 3, carry out regular training, undertake at least 12 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per year, be members of a professional body and follow a code of practice.
Full mandatory government regulation of agents is the quickest and most effective method to eliminate unprofessional, unqualified, and unethical agents from the property sector.
Property agents: the case for regulation
Regulation offers the potential to professionalise the industry, stamp out bad practice, create transparency and give consumers more control over who manages their property. Minimum qualification requirements and statutory Code of Practices to be adhered to by all letting and managing agents in England and sales agents across the UK should be introduced.
Supporting delivery of Decent Homes and Renters Reforms
Tenants should have parity of rights and protections and feel safe in the knowledge that their property manager is qualified and trained regardless of the tenure they rent.
Letting agents play a significant role in the private rented sector (PRS) – an estimated 46% of landlords use an agent who can carry out a variety of functions including inspections, notices, and the daily running and management of a property, as well as holding the vital relationship with the tenant. This could mean that potentially over two million households could be left uncovered by efforts to improve standards within the PRS if the focus on enforcement and new standards remains solely with landlords.
An asset to leasehold reforms
Currently, there are no barriers to entry to work in the property sector or even to belong to a professional membership body. This means varying levels of service, standards and application of new and existing laws and uncertainty amongst consumers about what they should expect from an agent.
With the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022, and further reform expected from the Freehold and Leasehold Bill, homeowners living in a block of flats or purchasing a property to live in deserve to have access to qualified and trained estate and managing agents who can deliver the best standards of professional service.
Piecemeal legislation is unmanageable and unenforceable and there is no overarching regulation to ensure property agents meet basic competency standards.
These Bills provide an opportunity to introduce minimum qualification requirements and a statutory Code of Practices to be adhered to by all letting, managing and sales agents, professionalising the sector and giving consumers vital protections.
