ARLA backs new law introducing ban on rogue agents and landlords

The Associational of Residential Letting Agents has spoken up in favour of most of the provisions in the new Housing and Planning Bill which proposes to ban rogue agents and landlords.

The part of the bill about rogue landlords and letting agents allows a banning order to be made where a landlord or letting agent has been convicted of an offence. It also requires for a database of rogue landlords and letting agents to be established.

The bill also allows a rent repayment order to be made against a landlord who has breached a banning order.

“ARLA is pleased that the Bill contains important measures to target rogue landlords, most of which are sensible and appropriate. ARLA has been calling for greater regulation of the private rented sector for some time and is pleased that the government has brought these measures forward to make the industry more rigorous and accountable” says David Cox, managing director of the association.

“We are particularly delighted that the Bill will make it easier for a banning order to be imposed on letting agents that fail to adhere to industry standards, to ensure that tenants are protected from unscrupulous individuals” he says. 

“However, we are concerned that the introduction of a database of rogue landlords and agents will unfairly tarnish the industry as one in need of large scale reform. We urge the government to ensure this measure is applied appropriately so that entry to this database is based on well-defined criteria which does not vilify compliant and law abiding agents.”