Propertymark has come out in strong support of Andy Burnham’s new ‘Good Landlord Charter’ – and it wants letting agents included too.

The scheme – set up by Burnham in his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester – wants landlords from the private and social sectors to commit to standards which exceed the minimum demanded by the law, and intends to help tenants recognise and identify landlords who are committed to higher standards. 

Letting agents have a role in promoting and championing the charter but Propertymark wants agents to be allowed to be members too – especially as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority claims over 40% of tenants rent from a letting agent. 

The body has written to Burnham backing the charter, arguing that it has potential to improve the private rental sector.

Propertymark also argued that letting agents are more likely than individual landlords to be able to prove they have accreditation and training, they can help provide transparency on rent allocation, signpost information, and meet necessary standards. 

Furthermore, it is a legal necessity for a letting agent to join a government-approved redress scheme and possess Client Money Protection, standards not currently required for individual landlords. However, this would help guarantee enhanced consumer protection and ideally should be utilised by the Charter.  

Tim Thomas, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, says: “The Good Landlords Charter, in its proposed form, will be a missed opportunity to engage with letting agents. It is important to all involved that they demonstrate good practice, but so far, the Good Landlords Charter for the Greater Manchester area only includes private and social landlords. 

“It is disappointing that there is no current provision for agents to engage with this process. Propertymark will continue to promote the Good Landlords Charter but remain keen for agents to play a much great role within the process.”