Charity urges crackdown on letting agents

A charity has warned that renters are facing “rock-bottom service from letting agents”.

According to Citizens Advice, nearly half of renters (48%) who have dealt with a letting agent in the past three years experienced rule-breaking behaviour.

The charity is now calling for tougher regulation of letting agents, alongside stronger enforcement of existing rules.

Nobody should be left in dangerous conditions

Research by Citizens Advice reveals among renters with an emergency repair, such as a gas leak or unsafe wiring, more than two-thirds (68%) were left waiting more than 24 hours by their letting agent.

More than a quarter (27%) of renters with an emergency repair faced extra costs or higher bills as a result.

The data also reveals more than a quarter (29%) saw emergency or urgent repairs left totally unresolved.

Tom MacInnes, director of policy at Citizens Advice, said: “Private renters are forking out more than ever to put a roof over their heads, and in return they get a rock-bottom service from letting agents.

“Nobody should be left to live in dangerous conditions for days, have to fight for money they’re owed or be charged illegal fees. But our advisers are helping tenants with these kinds of problems regularly.”

Better regulation and tougher enforcement

The charity is now calling for the government to clamp down on letting agents, warning that failure to do so could undermine the progress made by the Renters’ Rights Act.

They argue the legislation should better protect tenants from issues such as disrepair.

Mr MacInnes said: “The new Renters’ Rights Act is a huge moment for private tenants, a reform Citizens Advice has long campaigned for.

“But this landmark legislation will only deliver its true potential if the government holds letting agents to account with better regulation and tougher enforcement of the existing rules.”