Industry suppliers

With energy prices in the UK remaining volatile, both landlords and tenants are feeling the strain. For letting agents, this presents a critical opportunity to step in as a valuable intermediary—helping both parties navigate rising costs, understand new regulations, and adopt energy-efficient practices that protect everyone’s financial wellbeing.

With private rents rising across England and Wales, it’s no surprise that rent arrears have become an increasing feature of tenancy deposit disputes. Though formal deposit disputes remain rare, affecting fewer than 1% of Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) tenancies, the most recent TDS data shows that claims for unpaid rent appeared in over one in five deposit disputes. While not as frequent as cleaning or damage disputes, rent arrears cases can be more complex, often involving misunderstandings, poor communication, or a lack of proper documentation.

Trust is placed in lettings and sales agents by individuals and businesses who seek expertise, knowledge and attention to detail. With that trust, however, comes risk – and that's why it's essential to consider Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance. Gallagher, the industry-approved supplier of insurance for Propertymark, offers cover for agency businesses to help protect them from the legal costs involved should a client make a claim against them due to a mistake or incorrect advice.

Compliance in the UK lettings sector is often treated as a box-ticking exercise. Gas Safety Certificates, EPCs, and Deposit Protection Schemes are the well-known essentials that every agent expects to manage, but the real risks don’t always come with a checklist. Oversights can lead to crippling fines, legal battles, and reputational damage, with the biggest threats often lurking in grey areas of legislation, quiet regulatory changes, and obligations that only become clear when something goes wrong.

With the Renters’ Rights Bill on the horizon, the private rented sector (PRS) is set for significant change. As part of this, the bill will be introducing an Ombudsman which will hold landlords and letting agents to higher standards of accountability, ensuring tenants have a clear route to escalate disputes. Proactive landlords and agents can take steps now to prevent issues from reaching this stage, saving time, stress, and reputational damage in the process.

Client accounting goes beyond bookkeeping—it's key to an agent’s reputation. An agent’s brand can take years to build but can be undone in days when something goes wrong. A strong reputation drives referrals and precedes first contact with new clients, landlords, suppliers and prospective staff. A strong local brand helps the agency grows faster and gain more value, so protecting and nurturing it has to be a top priority for any manager or owner.

As the cost of living continues to rise, many renters are finding it harder than ever to save for the traditional upfront deposit required when signing a lease. This financial barrier can delay or prevent renters from securing their ideal home, while landlords face the challenge of ensuring financial protection without deterring potential tenants. Enter flatfair, Propertymark Industry Supplier and an innovative leader offering deposit alternatives that provide a smart, efficient, and cost-effective solution for both renters and landlords

Damp and mould are more than an unsightly nuisance; they pose serious health risks, especially for children, older adults, and people with respiratory issues. The tragic story of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who suffered prolonged exposure to mould, highlighted the need for immediate action and lasting change. This resulted in the introduction of Awaab’s Law for the social housing sector, which will soon be mirrored in the private rented sector through the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Ensuring tenant deposits are properly recorded and protected is a vital task for letting and estate agents, and one that carries significant legal and financial responsibilities. The Letting Partnership (TLP), a leading provider of specialist services to the lettings industry, emphasises the importance of accurate reconciliation and highlights the risks associated with discrepancies.

Inadequate or insufficient insurance cover may result in serious financial loss and can affect organisations of any size. Underinsurance can have potentially serious consequences for a business when they make a claim. Gallagher, Propertymark’s official insurance broking partner, offers advice on the potential impacts and how to avoid them.

When a tenant reports an issue at a rental property, the response of letting agents is vital for maintaining positive relationships between everyone involved. Quick and effective handling of these problems not only keeps tenants happy, but also helps prevent possible deposit disputes, which can cause stress and delays at the end of the tenancy. Here, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme provides guidance on how to manage tenant-reported issues at the property, fostering good relationships and avoiding deposit disputes over repairs.

The ongoing cost of living crisis and challenging economic environment have significantly increased the demand for guarantor services, as many tenants face financial uncertainty. This growing market underscores the importance of partnering with a reliable guarantor service which provides the necessary security for landlords and letting agents to continue renting properties with confidence, even in uncertain times.

In the last year, there has been a notable rise in demand for deposit alternatives with both tenants and landlords. Deposit specialists flatfair have seen a 30% increase in No Deposit plans compared to the same time last year, and 56% of tenants are selecting deposit alternative products over a traditional deposit.

Managing tenant deposits is a crucial part of any letting agent’s responsibilities. Ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding both landlord and tenant interests requires meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the deposit protection process. The Letting Partnership, a Propertymark Industry Supplier, specialises in client accounting for letting agents throughout the UK and understands what is required to keep compliant. This guide delves into key practices and considerations for handling tenant deposits effectively.

KPR offers a LRA report within their inspection and repairs software to record the test results and help fulfil the owner’s legal obligations, as well as generating an additional income source for managing agents by allowing them to conduct this assessment as part of their service. The software is simple and convenient to use, with pre-set template questions ensuring nothing is overlooked. KPR also supply a full Legionella test kit, allowing anyone in the agency can conduct the report, and presents the result as a clear and professional report.

To remain competitive in today’s market it’s important to provide exceptional service beyond the basic tasks of property management. Adding extra value for landlords and tenants enables an agency to stand out, and one way to achieve this is by making insurance products an integrated part of the service offered to clients.

Letting agents have access to a wide array of industry tools to elevate their business operations, including CRM platforms, marketing software, referencing providers, accounting tools, and deposit services. Integrating suppliers is a straightforward method to maximise the utility of existing resources, streamline operations, prevent fraud, and improve the experience for both tenants and landlords.

Lettings agents must protect the interests of landlords, tenants, and their agencies, so understanding the basics of deposit protection is key and knowing the do’s and don’ts will help minimise disputes and reduce the risk of costly penalties.

Being a letting agent or an estate agent with a letting portfolio demands juggling numerous responsibilities, from property management and tenant relations to day-to-day operations, plus the perpetual quest for new business. However, amidst these demands, being on top of client accounting is paramount.

The UK Government is currently consulting on the implementation of Awaab’s Law, which was passed in response to the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in December 2020 from exposure to serious mould in his parents’ social rented home.