Rogue letting agents and landlords should either mend their ways or quit the market.
The call has come from the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), which says tenant demand will continue to outstrip supply this year, with more families opting – or having – to rent.
Ian Potter, managing director of ARLA, said the situation will be particularly acute in London and the South-East.
He said: “This increased demand will put quality and standards under a greater spotlight.
“This year, it will be time for unscrupulous agents and landlord to put up or shut up.
“Consumers are rightly calling for much higher standards in the private rented sector.”
He claimed: “We are seeing demand for licensed ARLA agents grow amongst tenants and landlords alike.”
Potter also said there will be no slowdown in rent levels: “When it comes to rent levels, as long as the shortage of housing stock continues, it is unlikely that there will be any relief on rising rents throughout 2013.
“Indeed, in urban areas the demand for single-person occupancies may well continue throughout 2013, which will increase the existing pressure on high-demand properties and areas.”
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Comments
Self regulation is no regulation in this industry. As a landlord none of my tenantsd ever complain about us or our properties. In fact we are, as we speak, re-wiring our new property and including mains smoke alarms.
Not a legal requirement to do either but at least we are being responsible landlords.
I am fed up of hearing about the regulation of agents and landlords. If the "authorities", aka "toothless tigers", did something for their money it wouldn't be so bad. But this sounds like another ARLA promotional article hopiong the industry will move to ARLA registered landlords as well!!
Out of interest, do ARLA have anyone going round checking agents are doing things right?
"He claimed: “We are seeing demand for licensed ARLA agents grow amongst tenants and landlords alike.”"
The general public are still mainly unaware of ARLA so just WHO is seeing this 'demand' for "licensed ARLA agents"?
Please stop this wishful thinking and start meaningful efforts to promote your brand properly to the public
Bizarre statement
"This year, it will be time for unscrupulous agents and landlord to put up or shut up"
How do they 'put up' if they are unscrupulous?