ARLA hits out at Shapps over refusal to regulate landlords and agents

Tuesday 6th September 2011

The Association of Residential Letting Agents, ARLA, has reacted angrily to the latest announcement by housing minister Grant Shapps that he will not regulate the private rental sector.

Shapps said he preferred to work with the industry on initiatives to improve it, rather than tie it up in red tape.

But in a confrontational statement, Ian Potter, operations manager at ARLA, said his organisation was being undermined by Shapps.

He said: “We are disappointed that the housing minister has once again refused to implement any kind of regulation on the private rental sector.
 
“There is no requirement for lettings agents or landlords themselves to take any kind of professional qualification. This means their professionalism cannot be guaranteed.

“In today’s market, when people are becoming increasingly desperate to find a home, there will be increasing opportunity for unethical operators to take advantage of consumers.
 
“We have worked hard to introduce a licensing scheme for letting agents to boost consumer protection among our members and we would recommend any consumer uses an ARLA licensed agent. All licensed ARLA members offer consumer redress for service failure and client money protection should the agent default with its clients’ funds.
 
“However, we have no power to force agents to become licensed and, as long as there is no centrally-led regulation, our work is being undermined.”