Qualifications key to boosting industry standards says Propertymark

A new Propertymark report into letting agent qualifications says professional qualifications are key in driving up standards across the private rented sector in Scotland.

In 2014, legislation was passed making provisions for the regulation of letting agents in Scotland. This was to improve the standards of service for those renting properties from letting agents and requires appropriate people in each letting agency to hold a relevant qualification and where necessary undertake additional training on letting agency work.

Now a new report outlines that 87 per cent of letting agents who had done qualification said positive impact on their professional capabilities and 51 per cent of landlords said that requirement for letting agent qualification had been positive thing for the private rented sector overall.

Some 84 per cent of letting agents said the introduction of qualifications has been positive for the sector overall highlighting more people looking at property agency as a long-term professional career option.

In addition, the report highlights the need to make training accessible for people.

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, says: “We have long campaigned for greater regulation for letting agents. Ensuring agents are suitably qualified and meet minimum competency standards is the only way to drive up standards of service for consumers and eliminate bad practice in the sector. 

“So, it is pleasing to see that a majority of letting agents have done a qualification saying it has had a positive impact on them professional and over half of landlords believe qualifications have been a positive thing for the sector overall.

“Through the Scottish Government Draft Rented Strategy there is now an opportunity to look at whether requirement for qualifications is expanded to all and ensuring CPD is carried out annually rather than the current regulatory criteria of 20 hours over three years. 

“As a membership body, Propertymark has a key role to play in not only supporting learners, but ensuring training, CPD and compliance is adhered to. We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government and partners from across the sector to shape any future proposals.”