ARLA Propertymark publish their election manifesto

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2019 Election:

Ahead of the
publication of the main parties’ manifestos for the forthcoming
General Election, Propertymark joins the RLA in publishing its own
manifesto, calling on the new Government after the 12^th of
December to reform the housing sector.

Top of Propertymark’s hit list is the regulation of property agents, and is calling for the new Government to take forward the recommendations of the Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) Working Group chaired by Lord Best.

Regulation, says
Propertymark, “offers huge potential to professionalise the sector
through a code of practice, licensing and qualifications.”

In addition, the new
Government should open access to the existing Database for Rogue
Landlords and Property Agents to tenants, agents and regulatory
bodies, in addition to the current situation where only local
authorities have access. The database, says Propertymark, should also
be merged with estate agents to limit rogue agents moving from
lettings into sales.

“The next
Government must launch a review of all taxes relating to private
landlords. Recent increases in taxes and charges, and legislative
changes e.g. Tenant Fees Act have resulted in a significant increase
in costs for landlords, with many no longer able to make ends meet.

“Our proposed
review would leave the new Government better placed to introduce
policies that reduce costs for those wishing to invest in the sector,
which in turn will help reduce rent for tenants, lead to longer-term
tenancies and make it more affordable for renters.”

Letting Agents and
Landlords would also benefit from the following, says Propertymark:

• Abolish the 3%
  surcharge on additional properties in order to boost the supply of
  rented housing.

• An annual
  Property ‘MOT’ should replace the expensive existing
  discretionary licensing schemes, improve enforcement, and give
  landlords a steer on how to maintain or improve conditions for
  tenants.

• Reform of the
  Court system by introducing a dedicated Housing Court which would
  cut the time taken for a landlord to regain possession of a property
  and will make the process more straightforward.

• The Local
  Housing Allowance cap must be lifted to accurately reflect the cost
  of renting, enabling recipients to obtain good quality and well
  managed accommodation. The operation of Universal Credit must be
  improved, allowing recipients to choose to pay the housing element
  direct to landlords, and for more frequent payments to assist with
  budgeting.

• Introduction of
  new regulations for short term lets such as Airbnb as without proper
  arrangements we believe they will have a bigger impact on the wider
  lettings market. With potentially lucrative returns and less
  regulatory requirements short term lets may take more out of the
  private rented sector.

• The landlord’s
  Energy Saving Allowance should be reintroduced and extended to cover
  everything in EPC recommendations. Help for the private rented
  sector with energy efficiency and climate change is vital if the
  ambitious targets set for improving energy efficiency are to be
  meaningful and achievable.

At present seven
million homes remain excluded from flood insurance coverage under the
Flood Re levy and pool system that replaced the statement of
principles between Government and insurance companies. Propertymark
is calling on the new Government to extend the Flood Re insurance
obligation to the leasehold sector and Private Rented Sector.

Other measures being
called for include:

• Exempt
  downsizers from stamp duty or give them incentives to encourage them
  to move
• Introduce a
  digital logbook for every property bought and sold
• Legislate to
  ensure developers remedy leasehold agreements containing onerous
  clauses

Download Propertymark’s full Election manifesto here

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