A rental property is provided as a home for tenants and must be fit for human habitation (FFHH) throughout the tenancy. As the weather changes, it’s vital for agents to stay on top of property maintenance and make sure issues are put right for their tenants as soon as possible.

Matthew Pennycook MP, Shadow Housing Minister said that a future Labour government would look to introduce the recommendations in Lord Best’s report to regulate property agents.

Following complaints about a significant minority of landlords and letting agents who are not complying with Consumer Protection Regulations, the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) will re-issue guidance, and investigations will then take place to check compliance followed by enforcement action where necessary.

The terminology surrounding the renting and sale of properties can be confusing for some consumers and new guidance from the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) provides definitions of commonly used terms to improve consistency and understanding for everyone involved.

A paper from the Geospatial Commission sets out technological support for commitments from HM Land Registry and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to make critical information digitally available to homebuyers and set up a reliable Private Rented Property Portal to raise standards and drive criminal landlords out of the sector.

A study by UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) looks at practices which affect tenants’ ability to make a home in the PRS (private rented sector), with the findings echoing the importance of letting agents, especially in educating landlords and encouraging compliance.

Good letting agents are highly trained and experienced professionals that offer a vast range of services and advice that can make all the difference to landlords and tenants. Propertymark member agents also follow a strict code of conduct and are regularly assessed to ensure they are meeting all the required standards.