Could ROPA rules finally materialise in leasehold ref…

Estate agency regulations and minimum standards may finally see the light of day after Labour put forward amendments to the Government’s Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill to introduce Lord Best’s long-awaited Regulation of Property Agents (ROPA) recommendations.

Lord Best’s ROPA working party recommended a new industry regulator and code of practice, compulsory training and licensing, and significantly beefed up enforcement for the agency sector in 2019.

The Government has previously said it is committed to introducing these rules but little has happened since.

However, Labour Shadow Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook put forward an amendment to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, being discussed at committee stage by MPs this week and next, that would “implement the proposals within 24 months of the Act coming into force and to report on progress to that end at the end of the period of 12 months.”

Commenting on the development, Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “It is really positive to see an amendment put forward to get the recommendations in Lord Best’s report on the Regulation of Property Agents on the statute book. 

“The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill alongside other proposed housing legislation will bring huge change to the way people buy, sell, rent and live in property.

“However, currently there no minimum standards to work in the property sector and there are no statutory rules to ensure those buying, selling and managing property are suitably qualified. This amendment is an opportunity to provide a greater level of protection for consumers and should be widely supported.”