ARLA questions unqualified letting agents
A surge in the number of cowboy agents and rogue landlords in the wake of the credit crunch is feared by ARLA (the Association of Residential Letting Agents) as demand for rented accommodation continues to escalate.
The Association’s principal concern is that some agents and landlords will be cutting corners, instead of following best practice.
“Now one of the UK’s fastest growing industries, lettings is very professional and tightly regulated, and ARLA has pioneered policies to raise standards, in the same way that private landlords have driven up quality.”
Both landlords and tenants should check that their agent is a member of ARLA or another professional body, and that any rental monies are held securely in separate, independently audited, client accounts. “The rogues in our industry prey on people’s ignorance,” says Mr. Betchley. “They put people’s lives at risk.”
