Half of all Lettings Agents in the UK not registered with The Property Ombudsman

A local lettings agent has welcomed the findings of a report published this week which highlights the need for the raising of standards across the lettings industry as a whole.

Dawn Clarke, Director of Shropshire-based Nock Deighton, and ARLA's Regional Representative for Shropshire and Staffordshire, has pledged her support for a call by The Property Ombudsman (TPO) to encourage and promote overall standards within the sector, and believes that this will help ensure consumers across the region are fully protected.

Dawn explained: Lettings and management agencies are not currently subject to the same stringent regulations as sales agents, and with almost half of all lettings agents in the UK not registered with The Property Ombudsman, there is a genuine risk of consumers receiving a poor and inadequate service.

Agents that are fully licensed with professional bodies such as ARLA and have Client Money Protection are bound to a strict code of conduct and really do provide the public with a more professional and customer-focused service, which is why we fully support the TPOs proposed launch of an industry council to promote overall standards.

It is vital that those either renting or looking to rent a property are fully aware of the service they should expect to receive, and that landlords using an agent to manage their property are confident that they are fully trained and committed to abide by certain rules and regulations. With the private rented sector due to grow considerably over the next few years, it is even more imperative that lettings agents adopt comprehensible and controlled standards to ensure the protection of landlords and their tenants.

Founded in 1831, Nock Deighton is one of the Midlands most well-established and respected firms of estate agents, lettings agents, chartered surveyors, block management agents, and auctioneers. The company stands at the forefront of the modern property sector by embracing up-to-the-minute technology and industry best practice, and has a firm focus on achieving the very best results through a full range of specialist property-related services and dedicated staff.