PayProp: ‘Continued government focus on PRS is a positive’

 

The government’s focus on the rental sector should be considered positive by those working in the lettings industry, according to automated rental payment provider PayProp UK.

 

The lettings industry supplier says the move towards increasing regulation of the private rented sector (PRS) shows just how integral a part of the wider UK housing market it has become.

 

According to the latest English Housing Survey, the PRS now accounts for around 20 per cent of all households, while the proportion of owner-occupiers has fallen from 71 per cent to 63 per cent since 2003.

 

Most recently, the government announced that it is considering whether to introduce a regulatory body to handle leasehold and private rented management, as well as letting agents.

 

And at the Conservative Party conference earlier this month, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid announced a number of PRS proposals alongside Theresa May’s measures to boost home ownership.

 

Javid said the government wants to fix the property management industry, while reducing costs and protecting consumers from the minority of rogue agents still operating.

 

The Conservatives argue that as well as leaseholders, millions of tenants are being overcharged for repairs and services passed down to them.

 

Via a six-week consultation, the government is now calling for evidence on whether regulatory overhaul of the property management sector is needed. 

 

Javid also informed the Tory conference that he hopes to introduce regulation for all letting agents, referencing the fact that currently anyone can start operating as a letting agent without ‘qualifications or professional oversight’.

 

The Department for Communities and Local Government is therefore proposing the introduction of minimum training requirements and compliance with an industry code of conduct.

 

There were also proposals to introduce incentives for landlords offering longer-term tenancies and the requirement that all landlords become members of a redress scheme.

 

Neil Cobbold, Chief Operating Officer of PayProp UK, comments: “While we eagerly await the details of all these proposals, it has to be said at this stage that they represent a positive step forward for the industry.”

 

“There have been campaigns for the regulation of the industry for a long time now and this month it’s become clear that the issue is high on the government’s agenda.”

 

“Requiring all landlords to be members of a redress scheme will ensure that 100% of tenants have access to a fair and impartial complaints procedure.”

 

“Meanwhile, there’s clearly an appetite to extend minimum tenancies and with more people now renting privately for longer, we can understand the government’s thinking behind this proposal,” says Cobbold.

 

In the lead up to the Conservative Party conference, PayProp called on MPs to consider appointing an independent housing tsar.

 

“We still believe the idea of taking oversight of the property sector away from party politics should be considered, but if implemented properly, these proposals could really help the industry,” Cobbold adds.

 

A regulated PRS with more stringent basic guidelines for letting agents could benefit the whole industry, according to PayProp.

 

“Minimum standards for letting agents will mean a better level of service across the board as well as an improved public perception of the industry,” explains Cobbold.

 

“Increased professionalisation of the sector is a must and will help to improve transparency and stamp out the minority of rogue landlords and agents still operating.”

 

Cobbold adds that as the PRS continues to grow in size, the government’s awareness of its importance will prove to be crucial.

 

“The fact that politicians continue to monitor the growth and expanding influence of this tenure type is positive and necessary as home ownership levels in this country continue to decrease,” he concludes.

 

After launching in the UK in 2015, PayProp has experienced rapid growth and partnered with a number of high-profile agencies.

 

The PropTech platform is the only bank-integrated automated payment platform operating in the UK property market and now services over 200 agencies.