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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| New scheme 'to protect tenants' | New scheme 'to protect tenants' |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| New guidelines have been brought in to help protect those who rent a home from being exploited by landlords. | New guidelines have been brought in to help protect those who rent a home from being exploited by landlords. |
| The Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) has introduced a licensing scheme for its UK members and a code of practice for landlords. | The Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) has introduced a licensing scheme for its UK members and a code of practice for landlords. |
| Arla said it hoped its move would stop the rentals market being seen as "the black sheep of the property market". | Arla said it hoped its move would stop the rentals market being seen as "the black sheep of the property market". |
| Meanwhile, the Times says ministers are planning a registration scheme for all private landlords in England and Wales. | Meanwhile, the Times says ministers are planning a registration scheme for all private landlords in England and Wales. |
| The newspaper reports that anyone letting a residential property would have to pay about £50 to register with a national body, under plans aimed at cracking down on unscrupulous landlords. | The newspaper reports that anyone letting a residential property would have to pay about £50 to register with a national body, under plans aimed at cracking down on unscrupulous landlords. |
| It says the reforms will be outlined in a Green Paper within 10 days. | It says the reforms will be outlined in a Green Paper within 10 days. |
| Private landlords in Scotland are already required to register. | Private landlords in Scotland are already required to register. |
| Arla's licensing move has been welcomed by housing charity Shelter and a similar scheme for estate agents is in the offing. | Arla's licensing move has been welcomed by housing charity Shelter and a similar scheme for estate agents is in the offing. |
| Members of its licensed agents' scheme will have to hold a professional qualification relating to lettings, take part in ongoing professional development and have professional indemnity insurance. | |
| 'Gold standard' | 'Gold standard' |
| They must also sign up to an independent redress scheme, have plans in place to protect any money they are holding for clients and have an annual independent audit carried out on clients' funds. | They must also sign up to an independent redress scheme, have plans in place to protect any money they are holding for clients and have an annual independent audit carried out on clients' funds. |
| "For too long the rental sector has been seen as the black sheep of the property market, with a lack of regulation and a requirement for redress to protect the consumer when the agent's failings are to the financial detriment of that consumer," said Ruth Lilley, head of membership and professional development at Arla. | "For too long the rental sector has been seen as the black sheep of the property market, with a lack of regulation and a requirement for redress to protect the consumer when the agent's failings are to the financial detriment of that consumer," said Ruth Lilley, head of membership and professional development at Arla. |
| She said the Arla licensing scheme would "create the gold standard for letting agents in the UK, offering consumers best-practice service and advice - as well as a commitment to the protection of their money". | She said the Arla licensing scheme would "create the gold standard for letting agents in the UK, offering consumers best-practice service and advice - as well as a commitment to the protection of their money". |
| It has 3,500 member offices across the UK from large multi-branch companies to smaller, single office practices. | It has 3,500 member offices across the UK from large multi-branch companies to smaller, single office practices. |
| The National Association of Estate Agents plans to introduce its own licensing scheme later this year. | The National Association of Estate Agents plans to introduce its own licensing scheme later this year. |
| Referring to the lettings scheme, Adam Sampson, chief executive of Shelter, said "industry-led best practice" was a "positive step in the right direction". | Referring to the lettings scheme, Adam Sampson, chief executive of Shelter, said "industry-led best practice" was a "positive step in the right direction". |
| "All consumers should have the right to expect a professional letting service and have access to redress when problems arise," he said. | "All consumers should have the right to expect a professional letting service and have access to redress when problems arise," he said. |
| However, he added that the government should act to introduce statutory licensing for all letting agents. | However, he added that the government should act to introduce statutory licensing for all letting agents. |