Zoopla lettings chiefs have told the government it should tighten up its imminent Renters Rights Bill by demanding all lettings agents be formally trained.

The portal’s lettings advisory board has issued a statement saying: “The majority of businesses who rent out and manage rented homes strive to ensure that tenants are provided with housing that meets a decent standard of safety. However, anyone can let property and there is no specific requirement that must first be met to carry out this role.  This creates risk for the private rented sector, as the level of knowledge across operators varies significantly, without an expected standard of qualification or training. 

“Mandatory training has long been called for and many estate agent operators already train their staff on a voluntary basis to a Level 3 qualification standard (equivalent to an A-Level).  Such agency training is widely available through several accredited examination bodies and could be extended to cover all operators that let and manage homes. 

“This is not included in the Renters Rights Bill proposals but should be considered as a key element to raising standards.”

In addition the portal’s lettings gurus say they support the introduction of a private rented property database (PRPD) which is proposed in Labour’s Renters Rights Bill.

The board’s statement goes on: “It’s important this is designed with the input of industry so that it delivers its intended purposes and links to the ambition for a decent homes standard for private rented homes. 

“All privately rented properties should achieve a decent standard certification, recorded via PRPD and with key information displayed on all property marketing, as part of material information. The certification standards need to evolve as data becomes digitised and more readily available. It’s important this information is accessible to all market participants including property portals and lenders. 

“This certification should be provided to any prospective tenant before a viewing, as a declaration of safety.  This creates automated regulation and enforcement, enabling greater transparency, and enabling renters to select properties based on the standard of accommodation. The letter proposes a staged process to develop decent homes standards for private rented homes.” 

The lettings group was set up by Zoopla in 2020 with its co-chairs being Richard Donnell – the portal’s research chief – and Nicola Thivessen, a senior figure in the Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward agency. 

Other members include Carrie Anderson from Hunters, Ben Beadle of the National Association of Residential Landlords, letting agents Kristjan Byfield, Michael Cook, Kevin Day, Maxine Fothergill and Eric Walker, mediation expert Julie Ford, and two figures from Zoopla and its parent company Houseful.

Co chair Nicola Thivessen comments on its proposals to government: “We are encouraged to see that improving the private rental sector remains a core priority of the new government. Particularly the introduction of a new database that, with the correct implementation, is an opportunity to create transparency of property safety and drive rogue landlords from the sector.  

“The Board remains keen to see the introduction of mandatory qualifications for those operating in the PRS and we encourage the Government to review and prioritise this in future legislation, to ensure a minimum standard of knowledge and support for tenants.”