An Early Day Motion has been tabled by Lib Dem MP Annette Brooke calling for a new regulatory framework for letting agents.
The motion, which is very unlikely to get as far as the statutory books, although it could help gather opinions, wants all letting agents to have to meet minimum standards before they can set up, and to belong to an ombudsman scheme.
The motion reads:
"That this House believes that the current regulatory framework for lettings agents offers limited and inconsistent protection of the consumer, creates red tape for business and restricts investment in the private rented sector, does not reflect how consumers interact in the sector and provides no clear distinction between how sales and lettings businesses are now organised; notes that any individual can set up and practise as a lettings agent; understands the importance of a redress mechanism for customer complaints; and urges the Government to require lettings agents to be members of a Government-approved redress scheme and to meet statutory minimum professional standards to trade.”
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/815
Comments
The courts can do this for bad agents by putting them behind bars. It just needs someone with the nerve to report them and off it goes.