REsidEnTiallettings
Regulation of agents
NALS turns on the leading light
Caroline Pickering says regulation of lettings agents will
propel the sector forward. NALS intends to show the way
mid proposed landlord practical and coherent framework, reached
A
reforms and last October’s by mutual consent. It is vital to ensure that
Rugg Report, the National any licensing scheme is accessible to all
Approved Letting Scheme good agents already operating in the sector
(NALS) continues to take a and does not place undue financial burdens
leading role in the debate on on small businesses.”
the regulation of letting agents. NALS held Following on from the Forum, NALS
its inaugural Licensing Consultative Forum, organised a focus group of CEOs of twelve
which proved to be a decisive move in NALS firms, who considered the NALS
determining wider industry attitudes to a licensing framework proposals and
workable framework for regulation of welcomed this initiative. The second
lettings and management agents. Licensing Forum, scheduled for 9 June
Chaired by Lord Richard Best, an 2009 will conclude discussions on the
influential sector figure and Chair of The framework and once all areas have been
Property Ombudsman Scheme, an addressed, NALS will formally present its
impressive group of industry leaders findings to government ministers.
attended the event, held at the end of “The Licensing Forums are an excellent
March. Representatives from: Shelter; opportunity to provide a framework for
Crisis; British Property Federation (BPF); implementing licensing – one that would
Association of Residential Managing
It is vital to ensure
support required legislation,” Pickering
Agents (ARMA); Brent Tenants Rights asserts. “NALS accreditation scheme for
Group (BTRG); National Landlords
that any licensing
lettings and management agents is already
Association; Local Authorities well-supported by Government and it is
Coordinators of Regulatory Services
scheme is
the clear choice to carry out independent
(LACORS); Ombudsman Scheme for letting agent regulation.
Estate Agents (OEA); Citizens Advice
accessible to all
“There can be no doubt that mandatory
Bureau (NACAB); Guild of Lettings and regulation of lettings agents will propel the
Management; National Union of Students
good agents
sector forward in achieving the best
(NUS); Chartered Institute of Housing practice and increased provision and
(CIH); Foxtons; Belvoir Franchising;
already operating
security for tenants and landlords that a
Property Standards Board; Association of regulatory organisation can bring.
Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and
in the sector and
Letting agents may stand to lose out if they
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors cannot demonstrate that they meet
(RICS) were all present.
does not place
industry standards.”
Prior to the event, NALS prepared an Over the past ten years, NALS has
eight page proposal setting out how a
undue financial
highlighted the need for tighter regulation
licensing framework could operate and and accountability among lettings and
delegates were invited to review
burdens on small
management agents, remaining committed
commentary, and the ideas raised formed to promoting accreditation. A government
the basis of Forum discussion.
businesses.’
recognised organisation, the NALS logo is
Caroline Pickering, Chair of NALS, sees now an established kitemark, reinforcing
the Licensing Consultative Forum as part Caroline PiCkering consumer confidence and encouraging
of an ongoing programme to raise landlords to adhere to best practice.
standards in the private rented sector and
enhance consumer protection. Log on to www.nalscheme.co.uk
“We felt the best way to do so was to get
all relevant parties around a discussion
Anything to add? Comment at:
table. This will enable us to develop a
www.propertydrum.com/articles/nalsjune
54 JUNE 2009 PROPERTYdrum
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