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Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) ×
Displaying 35 results
Northern Ireland Londonderry rooftop houses
28 Nov 2024
Regulatory evolution in Northern Ireland

A report, commissioned by the NIHE (Northern Ireland Housing Executive) and supported by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) on letting agent regulation and fees, focuses on developing a new regulatory framework, and spotlights mandatory registration, a fit and proper person test, minimum qualifications, a code of practice and strict enforcement.

Modern looking apartments
21 Nov 2024
Leasehold reforms see further consultations and regulating managing agents

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP candidly admitted that the current Act contains flaws requiring further legislative action and has unveiled a series of consultations and measures. He has also committed to strengthening the regulation of managing agents, including as a minimum, mandatory professional qualifications.

Estate agent stood outside of branch
29 Oct 2024
Agent regulation is still on the UK Government agenda, confirms Housing Minister

With all eyes on the Renters’ Rights Bill, discussion around the regulation of property agents (RoPA) has taken a back seat. However, responding to a question in Parliament, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP stated that reforming the sector included raising professional standards amongst agents to protect consumers and defend the reputation of good agents from the actions of rogue operatives.

Property agents, the case for regulation.jpg
16 Sep 2024
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.

White jacket.JPG
02 Sep 2024
Propertymark agent could have saved MP from rental flats scandal

Jas Athwal, MP, has endured a weekend of backlash after reports revealed his tenants were living in flats containing black mould and an infestation of ants. It was also discovered that Mr Athwal, previously the leader of Redbridge Council who introduced the scheme, had not correctly renewed the selective licences for his properties.

House of Lords logo
22 May 2024
Lords frustrated by UK Government response on RoPA

The Chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee in the House of Lords, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, has written to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), expressing disappointment at the UK Government’s response to findings of the Committee’s inquiry into the need for the regulation of property agents.

labour housing report  (1).jpg
20 May 2024
PRS needs greater professionalism says Labour-backed report

A report commissioned by the Labour Party states that the opportunity to live in a secure, affordable and accessible home is out of reach for many people, and this is set to remain the case unless the system is changed significantly. They state that landlords and agents should be registered and accredited, recommend rent stabilisation measures, and support longer term tenancies based on the model of Rent Smart Wales.

Shot of Big Ben from otherside of the Thames
19 Apr 2024
Renters Reform returning to Parliament in a storm of criticism

The Leader of the House of Commons has confirmed the remaining stages of the Renters (Reform) Bill will take place on Wednesday 24 April 2024 with some key changes to the Bill brought forward. Whilst the UK Government has listened and reacted to some industry concerns, another chance has been wasted to effectively regulate property agents.

Northern Ireland Londonderry rooftop houses
16 Apr 2024
Stormont has the chance to address critical housing issues with policy refresh

The Department for Communities (DfC) is refreshing it's proposals for reform of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) which were first published in 2017. In response to their stakeholder survey, Propertymark has urged the DfC to prioritise increasing housing supply, regulating property agents, and taking a carefully considered approach to energy efficiency targets.

Mother and son viewing bedroom
10 Apr 2024
PRS tenants must not be left behind as social sector raises standards

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities intends to boost standards in social housing by requiring senior managers and executives to have, or be working towards, a relevant qualification. Propertymark has strongly challenged the decision not to extend this requirement to all property agents in the UK, and questioned why private tenants should not expect the same protections as those in the social sector.

Houses of Parliament flying the union flag
22 Mar 2024
Lords tell UK Government to get on with agent regulation

Following a short inquiry, at which Propertymark gave evidence, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has bluntly asked the UK Government why it has not yet established a regulator of property agents, four years after it committed to doing so.

TD at lords committee.png
05 Mar 2024
A step closer to the regulation of property agents

Propertymark has long called for the regulation and today, 5 March 2024, gave evidence at a House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee Inquiry which examined whether there should be a new regulator as recommended by the report of the Regulation of Property Agents working group in 2019.

Stormont
07 Feb 2024
How the housing market should be supported in Northern Ireland

The Devolved Government has been restored after 24 months of no activity. Whilst the Civil Service moved ahead with some actions, there are issues for the housing sector which have been on hold. Ministers must now act to make key improvements to address supply, implement the rest of the Private Tenancies Act, and rule out rent controls to protect the private rented sector.

Low rise apartment block by canal
22 Jan 2024
Solving leasehold injustice could have bigger benefits

The UK Government should take advantage of the momentum in leasehold reform to stamp out ground rents, invigorate property sales, and promote professional management of leasehold property by qualified and regulated agents.

Estate agent stood outside of branch
19 Jan 2024
Professionalise the PRS to safeguard tenant health and safety

As a report from the Commons Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC) calls for urgent action from the UK Government to set out a timetable for a Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector (PRS), Propertymark reiterates the need for robust training, qualifications, and competency standards for property managers across both sectors, as well as adequate resources to enforce standards.

Smartly dressed colleagues talking outside
18 Jan 2024
Shadow minister and leasehold leader echo Propertymark call for agent regulation

Matthew Pennycook, MP, has put forward an amendment which would lead to implementation of the Regulation of Property Agents working group report within 24 months of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill becoming law, whilst Martin Boyd, Chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service, lent his full support to the statutory regulation of agents, stating that it is ‘simply wrong’ that there are no qualification requirements for private sector property managers.

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