Rugg calls for 'increased professionalism' from letting agents

News Category: Legal

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Improved regulation in the private rented sector would lead to higher standards among letting agents in the UK, according to Dr Julie Rugg.

Speaking at the Association of Letting Agents' (Arla's) annual conference, the author of last year's Rugg Review said driving up standards will increase opportunities for agents.

Property management services by letting agents would improve if regulatory criteria demanded an appropriate physical quality for properties to let, she argued.

Dr Rugg continued: "I see this area of selling surveying services to landlords as a big new business opportunity for agents."

Ian Potter, operations manager at Arla, believes there is no better time for reform and called on new standards to be made effective for all letting agents.

The recommendations at the conference have since been backed by Ian Fletcher, residential director at the British Property Federation.

He said regulation would be welcomed by landlords who place their trust in letting agents for rent management services.

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