The surge in private tenants reported in the latest census highlights the need for immediate Government intervention.
The call has come from the Association of Residential Letting Agents, which says that ministers must now act to license letting agents.
Alongside a drop in the proportion of UK owner occupiers to 64%, the proportion of tenants renting privately has increased from 9% to 15%.
Ian Potter, ARLA managing director, said: “The census data confirms what our members have already told us, that would-be home owners are increasingly turning to the private rented sector after being priced out of buying their own property.
“As the private rented sector continues to expand, it is imperative that the Government takes decisive action on regulating letting agents. This will help prevent less scrupulous landlords from taking advantage of the unprecedented level of consumer demand.
“Renting should be a positive experience for both tenant and landlords, and a professional agent will be able to guide them both through the process.”
He added: “In the absence of regulation, we would always advise tenants to rent their properties through an ARLA member agent.”
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Comments
Instead of organising golf jollies, glossy maganzines and useless conferences, ARLA should be advertising the benefits to the wider public in places they can see. But no, they tell us agents to do it for them. I still meet hundreds of potential clients that still don't know who the hell ARLA is and the benefits of using us regulated & licensed agents. We are beginning to think being regulated is a waste of our hard earned income and valuable time.
Is this not what ARLA itself should be doing already?
Not just 'advismg' tenats to use ARLA agents but vigourously promoting their members and the brand.
A Government licencing scheme would immediately reduce the purpose and any influence ARLA may have, what would its purpose be in the eyes of the public?
Would it not become just a training organisation within the industry?