So what do Letting Agents actually do for their Landlords?

The spotlight is well and truly on the Private Rented Sector; discussions in abundance about the value of a Letting Agent towards their consumers. We are very well aware of the struggle that so many experience when trying to find a place to live, and more so a home that is fit for purpose. Yet, given the continuous introduction lion of Legislation, we felt an overview of what Letting Agents are dealing with on a daily basis would be interesting.

There is a distinct disconnect between thinking you KNOW what a Letting Agent does and actually UNDERSTANDING what a Letting Agent does. The list below is just a little taste of what excellent Letting Agents deal with on a daily basis to ensure Compliance, Due Diligence and Duty of Care are present. The fines and penalties are never-ending.

• Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001

• Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003

• Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

• Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003

• Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2003

• Building Regulations Part P: Guidance Booklet

• Civil Procedure Rules 1998

• Consumer Protection Act 1987 

• Consumer Rights Act 2015

• Council Tax (Liability for Owners) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 

• Council Tax (Liability for Owners) Regulations 1992

• Criminal Law Act 1977

• Data Protection Act 1998 

• Defective Premises Act 1972

• Deregulation Act 2015

• Disability Discrimination Act 2005

• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 (SI no.3260) 

• Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

• Energy Act 2011

• Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2014

• Equality Act 2010

• Estate Agents Act 1979

• Firearms Act 1968

• First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fees Order 2013

• Freedom of Information Act 2000

• Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (SI No. 2451)

• General Data Protection Regulations 2018

• Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

• Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 

• Houses in Multiple Occupation (Management) (England) Regulations 2009

• Housing Act 1985 Part 10 

• Housing Act 1988 

• Housing Act 1996 

• Housing Act 2004

• Housing Health and Safety Rating System (Wales) Regulations 2006

• Housing (Tenancy Deposit) Order 2007 

• Income Tax (Trading and other Income) Act 2005

• Immigration Act 2014

• Immigration Act 2016

• Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (as amended) 

• Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 

• Landlord Registration Act 2002

• Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions)(Amendment)(England) Regulations 2012

• Money Laundering Regulations 2007

• Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants etc) Act 2010

• Occupiers Liability Act 1957 

• Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

• Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 

• Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

• Protection From Eviction Act 1977 

• Public Health Act 1961

• Race Relations Act 1976 

• Redress Schemes for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management Work (Requirement to belong to a scheme etc) (England) Order 2014

• Regulatory Reform (Assured Periodic Tenancies) (Rent Increases) Order 2003

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Si no.1541)

• Rent Act 1977 

• Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006

• Sex Discrimination Act 1975 

• Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 

• Tenant Fees Act 2019

• Terrorism Act 2000

• The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015

• Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2010 

• Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2001

• Water Industry Act 1999

• Weeds Act 1959

• Welfare Reform Act 2007

• Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended)

• Work at Height Overhaul of guidance January 2014