The British Property Federation, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Federation of Private Residents Association, The Property Institute and Propertymark have penned a joint open letter to the new housing secretary, Angela Rayner, calling on the new government to legislate the regulation of residential property agents.
The trade bodies see agency regulation as key to the wider aim of raising standards in the residential property sector.
See the letter below.
OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT ON RAISING STANDARDS IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SECTOR
The Rt. Hon. Angela Rayner MP
Secretary of State
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
2 Marsham Street,
London SW1P 4DF
July 2024
Dear Secretary of State,
Re: Regulation of Property Agents
Firstly, many congratulations from our sector on your appointment to this crucial role. We are particularly pleased to see you in this post as we share with you a deep commitment to good, safe homes across all tenures, well built and managed, effectively sold or let, with the interests of residents central to every decision affecting them.
As you know, housing is a key part of our nation’s core infrastructure. Good housing improves lives, with better outcomes in physical and mental health, social cohesion, children’s education, crime rates and the wider economy. Whereas poor quality housing harms the economy, our health, social and education services and the sense of a just society.
We the undersigned share the objective of raising standards across the residential housing sector to improve the living environment and experience of homeowners, tenants and residents.
Within this overarching aim, we are calling on the new Government to:
- set standards for those working in the residential agency sector, through a Code of Practice;
- introduce mandatory qualifications and competence standards; and
- ensure individuals and firms raise service standards through the introduction of regulation of property agents to the above code of conduct and in line with the principles of better regulation.
This is consistent with the outcomes sought by Lord Best and his Working Group, whose report provides a considered framework ready to be translated into legislation. Professional bodies have long called for and we stand ready to deliver effective regulation in the sector.
We would therefore welcome an early roundtable meeting with you to discuss the new government’s proposals, and your willingness to legislate which would have wide support – including from the Opposition which, in government, declared it had only failed to act due to the lack of parliamentary time.
We look forward to hearing from you, and hopefully meeting you and your team as soon as your diary permits.
Signed,
Not just mandatory regulations but mandatory licensing too is essential
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All these trade associations are betraying their members by advocating for more regulations on those who already follow the industry’s rules and laws. Propertymark, in particular, seems most eager to serve its own interests.
TRAITORS!!
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No self-interest there whatsoever from Propertymark. Look away, people, nothing to see here.
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Agreed. My recent dealings with Propertymark have made it quite apparent that they are self-serving.
That said, I do agree that agents should be qualified etc.,
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There was a time when there was a dearth of legislation in the Rental sector, now it is overburdened, particularly in Wales. The Residential sales side on the other hand, has over the years been allowed to slip in to a proverbial ‘wild west’ with anyone able to set up an ‘agency’ from their back bedroom or garage and with the help of IT , social media and Portal subscriptions, project the impression of substance and ability, with little or no prior knowledge or experience. The industry has come to be seen as being an easy way to make money, with minimal financial commitment. Licencing, with at least a level of proven ability assured, is long overdue. The property owning general public deserve better than they are currently, at risk of getting.
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All these organisations need to look at what agents want, not what will earn them the most money to line their pockets.
If they spent as much time and effort in fighting legislation such as rrb we might have faith in them, until then….
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I am assuming that the organisations sought the opinion of their members before co-signing? Or am I expecting too much
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At last, someone with a sense of humour.
Next you will be asking if the NRLA sought the opinions of Landlords before saying we accepted the abolition of S21.
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Power-hungry associations seek to control their members and charge them for the privilege. Agents should resign their memberships and leave these associations to their own devices. Who needs them anyway?
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First they came for lettings agents. Then the next logical step is landlords must either used a qualified agent or must be qualified to the same standard.
Be careful what you wish for.
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