Angela Rayner announces plans for independent property agent regulation

UK Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced plans to legislate for the independent regulation of property agents. Speaking at the Labour Party conference, Rayner stated that the government intends to implement a system where agents must follow specific rules or face the revocation of their licenses.

The move aims to target “cowboys, crooks and con artists” within the sector who exploit tenants, renters, and leaseholders through hidden fees and traps. The proposed regulation specifically focuses on managing agents rather than traditional high street estate or letting agents.

Industry bodies, including Propertymark, have welcomed the commitment. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, noted that professional agents are frequently undercut by unqualified and inexperienced operators who do not adhere to the same professional standards, leaving consumers unprotected. Other industry representatives from the Property Redress Scheme and Real Estate UK also expressed optimism regarding the potential for higher standards and effective enforcement.