Last month (May 10) saw a question tabled which asked the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: “When will the recommendations of the Regulation of Property Agents Working Group, will be implemented?” The RoPA was published in July 2019.

It is good to hear, according to our industry umbrella, Propertymark, that the report has been re-booted, with the housing Minister, Eddie Hughes, MP, stating that the government remains committed to a fair and just housing system which includes raising professionalism and standards among property agents in all spheres and defending the reputation of good agents from the actions of rogue agents.

At Balfours we welcome RoPA recommendations for an independent property-agent regulator. This would be a single, mandatory and legally enforceable Code of Practice for property agents, including a system of minimum entry requirements, plus continuing professional development for property agents. Specifications which are already practiced by Balfours.