ARLA is stepping up its call for letting agents to have professional qualifications in a bid to combat fraud.
In a contribution to BBC News website’s features on Scams Awareness Month, the association’s managing director David Cox says the organisation has been lobbying for compulsory accreditation for some time.
Figures from Action Fraud show that reports of rental fraud in England and Wales rose from 2,216 in 2014 to 3,193 last year and according to the Local Government Association only five per cent of all scams are reported because victims are too embarrassed or didn’t realise their plight.
“Solicitors, accountants and doctors must all have qualification so why not letting agents? It is not acceptable in the modern world” says Cox.
ARLA - which has long campaigned for client money protection - says it is estimated that letting agents currently hold approximately £2.7 billion in client funds and yet, if they are not covered by CMP, both the landlord and tenant stand to lose their money.
The Cameron government said it would review its property transparency measures later this year; no announcements on the issue have been made in relation to the new Theresa May-led administration.
We are used to stories of councils condemning letting agents and...
New figures suggest soaring numbers of tenants are at risk from...
The Citizens Advice consumer charity is warning that fake investment scams...
The online lettings platform Mashroom has set out a list of...
The predictions game can be tricky. Sometimes you just don’t know...
Leading UK property auctioneer Bond Wolfe has broken through the £100...
Uncertainty triggered by the new Labour Government and taxation concerns that...
B-hive Block Management Partners Celebrates Major Milestone With Over 100 Businesses...
We’re absolutely delighted to announce that, after 10 years, we’re able...
You don’t have to simply accept things as they are when...
%20-%20IMAGE%20Client%20Accounting%20%E2%80%93%20what%20are%20your%20options.jpg)
The benefits for letting agents to outsource their client accounting is...
Who are you and what does it say on...
Who are you and what does it say on...
Who are you and what does it say on...
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
As a long time arla agent 10 years I have recently let my membership laps because the do not recognise the client money protection company we use UKALA which is accredited on the tenants how to rent booklet provided by HM Gov ? If you do not join their subscribed provider then you are not welcome as a full member as the company you work for cannot become a member agent .
Reading above this is a pious attitude we want legislation but under our terms.
I was proud to be a licensed agent but the bad taste left in my mouth does nothing for me to advocate an organisation that when incepted being a member meant something meant something. instead they have become a barking dog with no teeth.
Please login to comment