What is important to a landlord when choosing a lettings agent to manage their property? For many, the answer lies in trust, expertise and the ability to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of legislation.
Over the past seven years, the residential lettings sector has seen a surge in legislative changes, leaving many landlords anxious about compliance. Non-compliance carries significant financial risks, with fines that can be substantial. Here are just a few of the key changes that landlords must now navigate:
- EPC Ratings – Minimum standards to ensure energy efficiency
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 – Ensuring properties meet habitable standards
- Tenant Fees Act 2019 – Restrictions on charges to tenants
- The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) – Assessing health and safety risks in properties
- EICR Requirements – Mandating electrical safety certification for all residential lettings
And these changes are just the beginning. The much-anticipated Renters’ Rights Bill, previously referred to as the Renters Reform Bill, is poised to reshape the industry. Currently under debate in Parliament, this landmark legislation is expected to become law by July 2025.
Given the evolving landscape, how can landlords identify the right agent to protect their interests?
One clear marker of professionalism is membership in ARLA PropertyMark, the UK’s leading governing body for letting agents. ARLA promotes integrity and high standards across property lettings and members are bound by a code of practice and stringent professional standards, offering landlords confidence in their expertise and integrity.
We are committed to upholding these standards. As part of our dedication to professionalism, we are proud to announce new qualifications recently achieved by our lettings team:
- Jill Scott – Achieved MARLA (Member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents)
- Sarah Jones – Achieved MARLA
- John Phillips – Achieved FARLA (Fellow of the Association of Residential Letting Agents)
They join Laura Lewis, Abigail Larder and Hannah Isaacs of the lettings team who had already achieved MARLA qualifications.
These accomplishments build on our existing team’s qualifications and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to being at the forefront of our industry. By choosing a trusted, qualified agent, landlords can rest assured their properties are in safe hands, no matter what legislative changes lie ahead.
Contact our team today 01761 411010 or email us here.