Responding to the 2011 Annual Report from the Property Ombudsman, Ian Potter, at the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA), said:

“As an organisation that strives to achieve the best possible standards within the private rented sector, we are disappointed to see a rise in lettings complaints over the past year. It was however interesting to note that only 10% of those merited saw adjudication by the Ombudsman.

“It comes as very little surprise given there is no national regulation in place to stop rogue agents setting up shop and taking advantage of what is a fragile market, 26% of complaints were against agents who did not belong to an Ombudsman Scheme.

ARLA have been lobbying for increased regulation in the sector and supportive of the concept of a council to help promote consumer understanding of the importance of using professional agents such as ARLA licensed members.

Potter added: “We would also encourage prospective tenants to ensure that the agent they enter into agreement for a letting is a member of The Property Ombudsman Scheme, which provides an additional layer of protection.”