Too many don’t provide a good service, says CEO
A two-year high in the use of letting agents to help manage the complexities of the Renters’ Rights Act could leave landlords open employing unqualified or ill-informed agents, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has warned.
A poll of more than 500 of its members, conducted by Pegasus Insight, found that 66% of private rentals in England and Wales are administered by a letting agent in some way. Many landlords are turning to letting agents to help with compliance of both the RRA and further regulation coming within the PRS.
Yet official data from the most recent English Housing Survey for 2024/25 showed only just over a half (59%) of renters living in properties fully managed by an agent were satisfied with the repairs service they receive, compared to 73% where properties were fully managed by their landlord.
NRLA calls for better training
The NRLA has renewed calls on the Government to expedite proposals for minimum education and training standards for agency staff to ensure full confidence in their work beyond the loose ‘next year’ consultation that has been proposed.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Landlords are ultimately responsible for ensuring the properties they rent meet all required standards. However, with two-thirds of rental properties now entrusted to some degree to the care of an agent, it is vital that they and their tenants can have confidence in the services that these letting agents provide.
“As the rental market becomes more complex, reliance on letting agents is only likely to grow further. Reforms to the agency sector should therefore go hand in hand with the wider changes to the rental market.
“Whilst most agents provide a good service, too many do not. Minimum training standards would help ensure those working in the sector understand their responsibilities and can provide a consistently professional service. Pledging yet another consultation next year is simply not good enough. Tenants, landlords and reputable letting agents deserve action now.”
