ARLA is planning to introduce its own licensing scheme for lettings agents later this year, which its members will be obliged to join.
At the same time it calls for the Government to bring in compulsory licensing for all letting agents.
'The fact is that at the moment anybody can work as a lettings agent. It is ludicrous and, more to the point, dangerous, as it may create great risks for consumers in the current climate,' said Ian Potter, operations manager of ARLA.
Are ARLA right or are they just trying to drum up business?
I don't think they are trying to drum up business but rather protect their existing members.
ReplyDeleteSince the slow down in the sales market many offices have opened up lettings departments and are eating in to the market share of the traditional letting agents - often by under cutting fees.
By making this more difficult ARLA are protecting their members from new, and it has to be said, often sub-standard competition.
My fear is the relentless addition of regulations in every part of society that the Government has put in.
ReplyDeleteI agree Justin that some regulation wouldn't be a bad thing, but we must me very careful not to over-regulate.