Letting agent regulation 'would help buy to let landlords'

06 April 2010

Written by Jeni Browne

The introduction of regulation of letting agents would help to protect both buy to let landlords and their tenants.

This is according to editor of Property Hawk Chris Horne, who has called for the use of a licensing system that letting agents have to comply with.

He explained such a move would "make sense", as it would create a code of conduct that all complaints could be measured against, as well as an impartial ombudsman that would decide each case.

"At the moment, I think a lot of landlords would go to a letting agent and they wouldn't necessarily know whether they were a member of a trade body or trade organisation," Mr Horne stated, adding that the creation of one standardised code would benefit landlords, such as those operating in the buy to let market.

He added it is likely the new government will put a focus on increasing regulation for the letting industry, after the Property Ombudsman said late last month whichever party wins this general election should improve protection for landlords and tenants that rely on the services of letting agents.

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