The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) has initiated a licensing plan for its members and a rigorous code of practice for landlords to help protect tenants from exploitative landlords.
The new measures are intended to offer those in rented property extra protection from landlords who may otherwise exploit them. ARLA hopes this move will alter people?s perceptions of the rental market, which is often seen as ?the black sheep of the property market?.
According to The Times, ministers are devising a similar scheme for private landlords in England and Wales (those in Scotland already need to register with a national body). The government is planning to expand its plans in a Green Paper that will be delivered in the next 10 days.
Head of membership and professional development at ARLA, Ruth Lilley, said this new licensing plan would: “create the gold standard for letting agents in the UK, offering consumers best-practice service and advice – as well as a commitment to the protection of their money”.
ARLA members, under the new landlords’ scheme will also need to undertake a lettings-related professional qualification, participate in progressive professional development as well as take out professional indemnity insurance. In addition, landlords will have to have measures in place to ensure the safekeeping of clients? money and agree to an audit of those funds being held for clients.
The housing charity Shelter has welcomed the new measures and an equivalent plan for estate agents is being talked about. The National Association of Estate Agents intends to bring in its licensing measures later this year. Chief executive of Shelter, Adam Sampson commented: “All consumers should have the right to expect a professional letting service, and have access to redress when problems arise.”
