In a bid to help trading standards teams stamp out rogue agents in the private rented sector (PRS) and ensure consumers are protected, safeagent has published its latest Effective Enforcement Toolkit.

The Toolkit gives local authorities the tools to enforce legislation robustly, providing Trading Standards teams with a complete guide to regulating agents, in a step-by-step format.

First published in 2016, safeagent created the Toolkit as a unique resource to support local authorities in protecting tenants and landlords, while also creating consistency in enforcement, and raising standards and professionalism in the industry.

The third edition of the Toolkit has been further updated to reflect the legal requirement for lettings and management agents to belong to a client money protection scheme and now includes over 100 Tribunal decisions from across England.

The Toolkit also includes template warning letters to letting agents who are failing to comply with legal duties, advice on serving civil penalties and even examples on how to highlight enforcement action to the local media.

Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, said “We’re all too aware of the challenges Local Authorities face in carrying out their work in the PRS. That’s why we created the Effective Enforcement Toolkit in the first place to support their work in ensuring that all agents comply with the legislation.

“We would like to thank those Trading Standards officers from across the country who gave their time and expertise in developing this latest version to ensure their colleagues across England are fully equipped to enforce the important legislation that protects landlords and tenants..

Sean Hooker, head of redress at the Property Redress Scheme, added: “The Toolkit is a superb resource for Trading Standards teams, helping to protect renters and landlords, while also driving up professionalism and compliance within the lettings industry. It is an example of collaborative working that can only be to the benefit of all in the sector.”