Arla backs letting agent regulation

News Category: Industry News

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Industry body Arla has backed calls to extend the regulation of letting agents.

The group was reacting to a study group by Rics, who said letting agents should be subject to regulation in order to protect tenants and landlords.

Rics stated that regulation of letting agents should be carried out by an independent body, citing the Property Standards Board as a possible example.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive officer of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and Arla, said the groups were behind the recommendations made by Rics.

He said Arla had recently launched a licensing scheme that had proved to be successful.

"The large numbers of letting agents who have signed up to this scheme and now abide by its strictures demonstrate, very clearly, this determination to offer consumer assurance," he commented.

Mr King added that all NAEA and Arla members should abide by a code of practice, ensuring all charges and fees are made clear.

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