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5 February 2008
Mr Jordan explained that licensing does not have to be a bureaucratic sledgehammer to crack a relatively small nut.
"The professional bodies have the resources and the ability to licence all lettings agents. Such a scheme does not have to cost the government anything."
Delegates were reminded that in an effort to persuade the government of the absolute need for licensing, the professional bodies, ARLA, NAEA and RICS, have joined together and appointed Sir Bryan Carsberg to carry out a root and branch review. Sir Bryan will report later this year.
"We very much hope that this report will support our view on licensing," Mr Jordan said.
Lord Richard Best, previously the Director of the Rowntree Trust and now Chairman of the Hanover Housing Association and Council Member Ombudsman for Estate Agents, pointed out to Conference that the Private Rented Sector falls outside the remit of any regulator.
"Constraints, safety nets and quality controls do not apply to private landlords," Lord Best said. "Lettings agents, who act in place of landlords, will not be covered by the new Consumers and Estate Agents Redress Act.
"Fortunately bad landlords are as unpopular with the professional organisations as they are with tenants' rights organisations and the honourable bodies representing reputable landlords are as keen as anyone to promote codes of conduct and accreditation schemes."
Lord Best said that the timing is right for the Housing and Regeneration Bill to include measures for the regulation of private sector landlords, as well as housing associations and council landlords. He commended the Law Commission report that advocates a self-regulatory regime whereby anyone wishing to be a landlord or letting agent must be a member of a professional body or an approved accreditation scheme.
"These schemes require participants to adhere to a proper code of conduct and those who fail will face sanctions," Lord Best argued. "For serious non-compliance, expulsion will prevent property owners from being landlords at all."
Source - ARLA
