Responding to a recent announcement by Housing Minister Grant Shapps on tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities, Ian Potter, operations manager at the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), says that they are disappointed that the Housing Minister has once again refused to implement any kind of regulation onto the private rental sector.

He said: “There is no requirement for lettings agents or landlords themselves to take any kind of professional qualification. This means their professionalism cannot be guaranteed. In today’s market, when many people are becoming increasingly desperate to find a home, there will be increasing opportunity for unethical operators to take advantage of consumers.

“We have worked hard to introduce a licensing scheme for letting agents to boost consumer protection among our members and we would recommend any consumer uses an ARLA licensed agent as it offers consumer redress for service failure and client money protection should the agent default with its client’ funds.

“However, we have no power to force agents to become licensed and, as long as there is no centrally-led regulation, our work is being undermined.”