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Proposed Regulation of Letting Agents An opportunity to shine?

Proposed Regulation of Letting Agents An opportunity to shine?. Kathleen Gell, Director, Simply Let Convenor, SAL’s Council of Letting Agents. Birth of the Council of Letting Agents (CLA) -separate wing of the Scottish Association of Landlords. Formal launch autumn 2013

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Proposed Regulation of Letting Agents An opportunity to shine?

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  1. Proposed Regulation of Letting AgentsAn opportunity to shine? Kathleen Gell, Director, Simply Let Convenor, SAL’s Council of Letting Agents

  2. Birth of the Council of Letting Agents (CLA)-separate wing of the Scottish Association of Landlords • Formal launch autumn 2013 • Steering Group developing policies • Code of Practice agreed • Partnership working: RICS, ARLA • Lobbying MSPs on behalf of members • Scotland-wide, legal helpline, training via LAS..

  3. Housing (Scotland) Bill: proposals re agents- Registration system for agents – maintained by Scottish Ministers ‘Fit and proper person’ test and apply to re-register after three years Penalties if registration refused/revoked Statutory Code of Practice consultation on draft code to follow Enforcement & dispute resolution via First-tier Tribunal (FTT)

  4. Stated AIM of Regulation • -”to promote high standards of service and professionalism across the country”; • “to provide landlords and tenants with easy access to a mechanism that will help resolve disputes where these arise” • + Welcome move, if the aims are met • - Retrograde move, if agents who register are considered to be ‘regulated’ or accredited’ agents rather than ‘registered’ • + Force out lower grade agents unable/unwilling to comply • - Additional cost for all agents including genuinely regulated

  5. Examples of Good Practice at Simply Let Regulated by professional bodies, accredited by and members of RICS, ARLA, CLA, LAS, SafeAgent and CIH Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct ( RICS) Client Money Protection Professional Indemnity Insurance Method of Redress through Ombudsman Services A refusal to bring a property onto our books if the client is reluctant to bring it up to the various standards in place Objective, transparent, fair, responsive, clear procedures

  6. Good Practice continued…. Consistent approach to vetting applicants Awareness & application of OFT legislation Inventories / Schedule of Condition - agreed Copy tenants into repairs sheets & visit reports Provide detailed property folder Free advice to public re PRS issues Regular training; CPD; blogs, sharing tips etc on Facebook and Twitter

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