A professional organisation for letting agents and other groups have welcomed the implementation on strict new rules on the sector designed to drum out “rogue players”.
All letting agents operating in Scotland will be required to sign up to a new compulsory register by the end of September 2018. The new guidance on the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 also requires letting agents to abide by a statutory code of practice and to fulfil certain minimum requirements on training.
Council of Letting Agents (CLA) said that while some involved in the sector have signed up to the necessary training already, many seem to be unaware of the impending deadlines or the impact the changes will have on their business.
Amanda Wiewiorka, chair of the CLA policy group, said: “The CLA strongly welcomes the new regulation for letting agents which will help professionalise our sector and drive rogue players out of our market, ensuring a higher level of service for customers.”
Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “I very much welcome the support of the Council of Letting Agents and other industry bodies in raising awareness of these important changes to the letting agent industry.
“A registration guide is now available from the Scottish Government to help letting agents understand what letting agent regulation will mean for their business.”
“With under a year to go until letting agent regulation begins, letting agents must start to take steps to make sure that they comply with the code of practice and have the necessary qualification and training.”
