Sheffield lettings specialist adds its voice to proposals for industry change
Belvoir Sheffield, the leading letting agent in Sheffield, which has an office on Campo Lane in Sheffield, has declared its support today for The Property Ombudsman Service (TPOS) and the movement for industry change.
The issue ofregulation in the private rental sector has long been a bone of contention amongst industry professionals.
Some argue that,in its absence, bad practice is encouraged whilst others believe it would be an unnecessary extra layer of bureaucracy.
Housing Minister,Grant Shapps has consistently ruled against regulation but with every reported high profile case of poor practice, he comes under increasing pressure to change his stance.
Industry heavyweights are now starting to weigh into the argument and The Property Ombudsman Service (TPOS) has announced it is taking legal advice on the issue.
Rick Flay, Director at Belvoir Sheffield, who offer a wide range of houses to rent in Sheffield, said: “At Belvoir wetake self-regulation very seriously,” said Rick Flay “Belvoir offices are active supporters of the Propertymark Scheme (Propertymark) and most are fully endorsed by the SAFE agent scheme and are bound by their rules on Client Money Protection (CMP).
“We believe we lead the way in this area and our record on transparency is excellent.”
“However, only too often the hard work of our network of franchise business owners is being undone by the actions of rogue traders who fail to protect their clients’ money.
“For these people self regulation has not been a sufficient deterrent and whilst membership of voluntary bodies like Propertymark helps, it is no substitute for an effective single regulatory body.”
Belvoir Sheffield, the leading providers of property to let in Sheffield, believes that a centralised regulator would go a long way to resolving some of the problems inthe industry.
Firstly, it would address the issue of authority which at the moment is absent. TPOS recently published a story about a member who had not compensated a tenant following a TPOS ruling. The only action it could take was expulsion – but the company still trades. Under new regulations prosecution would be appropriate.
“Unfortunately, many lettings agents currently have the option of ignoring any rulings against them,” says Rick of Belvoir Sheffield, “and very few prospective tenants are aware of any agent’s previous bad form when they sign a contract.”
“At Belvoir, we believe that bad practice will decrease if consumers become more knowledgeable. Voluntary bodies such as Propertymark have tried to address this issue but, unlike the government, they lack the finance to implement national campaigns.”
Belvoir Lettings Agency in Sheffield is the One Stop Specialists for Lettings including Property Management, Tenant Find, Investment and Wealth Management Advice, Fit-outs and Renovations, Furniture Packs and Investment Property Insurances and Buy to Let Mortgages.
