Currently, there is no legal requirement for estate or letting agents in England to be qualified. This means anyone can operate as an agent without formal training, leading to inconsistent service and consumer risk. In contrast, agents in Scotland and Wales have be trained and licensed.Evidence for change
The Survey of Property Professionals in England is commissioned by The Lettings Industry Council RoPA (Regulation of Property Agents) Working Group, co-chaired by Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, Timothy Douglas. It gives agents a vital opportunity to ensure their voice is heard as the UK Government considers next steps on the RoPA proposals.
The anonymous survey collects essential data on experience, qualifications, CPD, training access, and views on mandatory regulation. It is divided into six short sections and takes around 10 minutes to complete:
- Current Area of Work and Experience – Captures the professional setting, job role, and years of experience.
- Property Qualifications – Identifies the presence, type, and level of formal property-related qualifications.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Membership – Records industry body membership and explores its impact on consumer confidence and client engagement.
- Training and Progression
- Mandatory Qualification
Open to anyone working in residential lettings, estate agency, and block management and input from professionals, whether self-employed, working in a small business, or representing a larger firm, is essential.
Propertymark’s position on qualifications and regulation
As the leading membership body for property professionals, our members already commit to professional standards, training, and ethics. We believe the wider sector should be held to the same expectations to create a fair, transparent, and professionalised industry for all.
Propertymark has long called for regulation of our profession, and we were a key contributor to the original RoPA report in 2019. We back the recommendations made in that report, which call for:
- A minimum Level 3 qualification for agents delivering reserved activities (equivalent to A-level standard).
- Ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
- Licensing of agents and adherence to a statutory Code of Practice.
- Oversight by an independent regulator with enforcement powers.
Mandatory qualifications are key to creating a well-regulated property sector that consumers can trust—and that professionals are proud to be part of. Now, with this survey, we have the opportunity to show how ready and willing the sector is to take that next step.
Property agents: the case for regulation
Regulation offers the potential to professionalise the industry, stamp out bad practice, create transparency and give consumers more control over who manages their property. Minimum qualification requirements and statutory Code of Practices to be adhered to by all letting and managing agents in England and sales agents across the UK should be introduced.
