Letting agents should all be formally trained as part of Labour’s Renters Rights Bill, Zoopla has urged.
The firm’s lettings advisory board sent a letter to the government, outlining recommendations designed to improve standards in the private rental sector.
The board argued that the knowledge of stakeholders in the sector varies so significantly that it puts renters at risk.
They said: “Mandatory training has long been called for and many estate agent operators already train their staff on a voluntary basis to a Level 3 qualification standard (equivalent to an A-Level). Such agency training is widely available through several accredited examination bodies and could be extended to cover all operators that let and manage homes.
“This is not included in the Renters Rights Bill proposals but should be considered as a key element to raising standards.”
The portal backed Labour’s introduction of a private rented property database, though it added that this needs the input of the industry to make sure it delivers, as well as helping to achieve the decent homes standard for private rented homes.
The statement added: “All privately rented properties should achieve a decent standard certification, recorded via PRPD and with key information displayed on all property marketing, as part of material information. The certification standards need to evolve as data becomes digitised and more readily available. It’s important this information is accessible to all market participants including property portals and lenders.
“This certification should be provided to any prospective tenant before a viewing, as a declaration of safety. This creates automated regulation and enforcement, enabling greater transparency, and enabling renters to select properties based on the standard of accommodation. The letter proposes a staged process to develop decent homes standards for private rented homes.”
Zoopla established the lettings group in 2020, with the co-chairs being Richard Donnell and Nicola Thivessen, the latter of whihc is part of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward agency. Other notable figures involved include Ben Beadle of the National Association of Residential Landlords.
Nicola Thivessen said: “We are encouraged to see that improving the PRS remains a core priority of the new government. Particularly the introduction of a new database that, with the correct implementation, is an opportunity to create transparency of property safety and drive rogue landlords from the sector.
“The board remains keen to see the introduction of mandatory qualifications for those operating in the PRS and we encourage the government to review and prioritise this in future legislation, to ensure a minimum standard of knowledge and support for tenants.”