Do you think letting agents should be licensed by law?
Or maybe you think that a licensing regime should extend to all landlords instead, or as well?
Does the ARLA Licensed Agent scheme make you think it is something to aspire to - or a waste of time?
And do you operate in an area where the local authority is using licensing powers and Article 4 planning directions to clamp down on the private rented sector: licensing by the back door, perhaps? And if you're a London agent, are you enraged by mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone's idea of setting up a taxpayer-funded letting agency to undercut your rates?
If you have any questions you would like to raise about licensing in the private rented sector, we would like to hear from you. The issues you raise will be debated by a panel of experts, chaired by London agent Eric Walker, at next week's Property Business Show (April 19 and 20, at ExCeL, admission free to all agents).
Whether you are planning to attend the Great Licensing Debate (one of the show's highlights) or not, we would still like to have your suggested topics. Either post them below, or else please email to: rosalind.renshaw@gmail.com
.png)
%20(002).png)
.jpg)
Comments
Actually, if you talk ARLA, RICS, TPOS, NALS, NAEA you get
Sap sorriest anal canal
Should ARLA and TPOS join forces to become;
(chicken) TPOSARLA?
@SE1 agent - that's comic genius up there with 'The Office'
Toogood to be true? What a plank. No wonder PBK left - probably had an asthma attack from laughing
Does the ARLA Licensed Agent scheme make you think it is something to aspire to - or a waste of time?
NO - its board members put this on the internet!
http://www.slideshare.net/pppetepetepete/michael-toogoods-presentation
The Governments changes to EPCs seem to be more important than consumer protection. No one ever asks for an EPC nor wants one, yet everyone wants consumer protection and regulation of a an industry tarnished by a few rogues. You get rogue agents all over Europe, but I cant a bloody EPC anywhere outside the UK.
Are we EU lapdogs losing focus on that which really counts and why wont the Housing Minister wake up and do that which every decent agent, Landlord and Tenant demands?
The public seem unaware of the difference between regulators, redress schemes and marketing clubs such as The Guild of Professional Estate Agents. Does the panel think that a fractured message urging consumers to use their members without mention of alternatives makes this issue worse?
Why do agents still hold deposits? Surely its bonkers with all the pressure and temptation
As Director of a large agents, I have been offered several distressed companies who were members of the TDS.
They were excluded when membership rules changed as they were unable to submit to Clients accounts audits.
Many landlords were left with unprotected deposits to repay to tenants - were the regulators negligent and does the panel feel that this issue still exists as it forced agents away from a voluntary code?
How does the panel think the regulation picture will look 10 years from now?
I would like to ask Eric Walker (without conferring) what the relationship with SAFE agent, TPOS and ARLA is actually like. Is it really cordial, hostile or awkward? There was a lot of speculation when launched that ARLA was against it but I am told that's not true?
There is only one way to find out Fiiiight!!! (Maybe not.)
Would someone PLEASE explain why the Government wont make regulation mandatory. We have new EPC rules, Money Laundering, Prescribed TDS pages, and loads more besides - but they avoid that which is actually needed by the PUBLIC - WHY?
How is it SAFE agent has achieved so much in a few months and gained so much support and why cant the others do the same? Surely its time to put differences aside and combine forces
Why cant RICS, ARLA, NAEA, NALS, UKALA, all release joint statements on the need for regulation rather than be seen as fighting for 'market share' of members - I am sure TPOS and SAFE would support such an initiative as they are both apolitical.
Many other groups do it in open letters to the press and with so much support - it may get noticed.
Is ARLA a regulator or trade association and is there conflict between representing members and protecting consumers?
Why is it that TPOS, Trading Standards, GLA, RLA and many others can support SAFE agent, but ARLA will not? And why did they allow SAFE to be at their conference - is this not a mixed message and do they support the initiative or not?
On 22nd March - Arla released top tips for 'generation rent' under the heading "Five things every tenant should know"
Number 2 was: 'Lettings is an unregulated industry:The rental industry is not subject to any government legislation, meaning that anyone can set up as a letting agent or landlord. For peace of mind, do your research and seek advice from a letting agent affiliated to a professional organisation like ARLA. All ARLA agents must adhere to a strict code of conduct, as well as offering client money protection and redress schemes, which protect consumers if things go wrong.'
This is wrong and misleading as it confuses the difference between Licensed and unlicensed agents.
Does the group feel that such statements add to consumer confusion?
Does Ian Potter accept that the recent publicity 'only use an ARLA agent' undermines the good work of other regulators including the NAEA?
Should TPOS become a regulator and redress scheme in the way the FSA are?
Will a one size fits all policy work? Rogue landlords will always exist unless properly licensed and policed. Do you agree that different regs need to be applied for agents and landlords
@IHS Have you never heard of a rogue landlord, the ones that still advertise in newsagents windows etc? The only way forward is to licence landlords and agents.
As for Mr Shapps going green - the new prescribed imnformation states that the DPS T & C MUST be attached to the information. This adds a further ELEVEN PAGES. Just how green is that?
Do the you think that PBK's more to the RICS will bring the regulators closer together?
Why can't the Government simply amend the 1979 Estate agents Act and why wont they?
Sir Robin Wales wants to introduce blanket licensing of all rental properties across his borough - this will cause landlords whose costs are ever increasing to sell up and reduce housing stock - is this really a good idea and will other Boroughs follow?
Grant Shapps is on record as saying regulation would create more red tape and he wants to avoid this but this seems disingenuous in light of EPC farce. .
Why in the opinion of the panel wont the Government really regulate agents? Is the fact that so many have used clients money to replace bank funding an influence as so many voters would lose money if the issue was forced?
Should all deposit be held in custodial schemes and why aren't they?
I believe that INDIVIDUALS should be licensed and have all the qualifications, indemnity insurances, memberships etc. in place PERSONALLY, whether paid for by themselves or their firm. ONLY THEY should be permitted to advise and deal with ALL lettings & management and no-one else.
This idea would require some fine tuning I know but it is the individual person who should be held responsible and ideally that person should be easily accessable to a landlord or tenant If a query needs to be answered or advice is required.
The individuals should have their own specific professional association - something like "Association of Residential Letting Agents"? Or has that been thought of before!
If Ken Livingstone gets elected, he has made it clear that rents are too high and he wants to cap them - a contrast to a free market. Agents wont be able to compete with his plans for a subsidised lettings agency.
Does the panel think that Ken's ideas will spell the end of the PRS in London or create a black market of non compliance?
This is a great opportunity to have a say and ask questions of people hard to access.
I would like to ask why TPOS have separate Sales and Lettings? The TPOS logo appears on many agents sites who are only members of Sales and gives a false impression to the consumer.
Statements are not questions
"What would YOU like to ask about licensing?"
Key word - ASK
I would like ARLA to explain their 2 tier accreditation and specifically, why do they say that the brand offers protection when a neg with 'MARLA' on their business card and ARLA logo may work for a firm run by crooks who use deposit money to fund their cashflow?
In Scotland we have licensing under another name.
The Landlord Registration Scheme includes Letting Agents and has been succesful in excluding rogue Agents / Landlords.
Scottish legislation is about to adopt a version of the Tenant Deposit Scheme probably starting in July 12.
My understanding is that England & Wales will be adopting Landlord & Agent Registration in due course.
I believe that all letting agents should be licensed and required, by law, to belong to a professional body. Only then will the rogue agents be eventually eliminated from the market. This may seem harsh but there is too much of other peoples money at risk (I am sure that there are millions of pounds still held illegally outside the deposit schemes by rogue agents and unscrupulous landlords). Although this will never be completely eliminated at least unlicensed agents will find it more difficult to operate if the licensing regime is properly policed.