Industry body calls for training and qualifications across the housing sectors

Industry body calls for training and qualifications across the housing sectors

0:05 AM, 24th January 2024, About 10 months ago

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Following a committee report calling for Awaab’s law to be extended to the private rented sector, one industry body argues qualifications are the only way to eliminate bad practices from the rented and social housing sectors.  

Propertymark believes all letting agents should be trained across the social housing and PRS sector and is calling for adequate resources to enforce standards.

Under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, the Regulator of Social Housing can set standards on the competence and conduct of staff involved in housing management.

This includes mandatory qualification requirements for senior managers and executives, such as a foundation degree or similar. Yet, no comparable requirements exist for the PRS.

Levelling the playing field for tenants

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “The first step to levelling the playing field for tenants regardless of where they rent is for the UK government to extend the requirements for property managers in the social rented sector to be qualified for the private rented sector.

“Recommendations have been set out in the Regulation of Property Agents Working Group Report and a clear roadmap to regulation would not only drive up standards and protections for consumers but support the implementation of the Decent Homes Standard as part of the Renters (Reform) Bill.”

The industry body argues without minimum entry requirements for agents to practise, consumers are potentially dealing with someone who does not understand the technicalities of buying, selling, or renting property or how to analyse the level of risk to their business.

Proposals for social housing landlords

Earlier this month, Housing Secretary Michael Gove unveiled proposals for social housing landlords to meet deadlines when carrying out emergency repairs to unsafe homes.

Social landlords would be legally required to investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing within a further 7 days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. Those landlords who fail could be taken to court and ordered to pay compensation to tenants.

The Health and Social Care Committee says that Awaab’s law will improve the quality and safety of both social and private rented homes.


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