‘Agents do not need degrees’ – safeagent comments
The debate about qualifications for estate agents continues to divide opinion. Baroness Fox of Buckley recently commented during a House of Lords debate that she felt estate agents’ degrees are not necessary. This follows Matthew Pennycook, Labour’s shadow housing minister, tabling an amendment to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill requiring estate agents to have […]
Autumn Statement 2023 – Safeagent Reaction to Local Housing Allowance Increase
During yesterday’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced that Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in the UK will be increased for the first time in three years, covering the 30th percentile of local market rents. Reflecting on today’s news, safeagent’s chief executive, Isobel Thomson, said: “In a Budget light on housing-related focus, the increase in Local Housing Allowance […]
Damp and Mould – Updated guidance for agents and landlords
Following the tragic death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020 and the subsequent Coroner’s report, the Government has drawn up new consolidated guidance for agents and landlords on damp and mould. It makes sure that social and private sector agents and landlords have a thorough understanding of their legal responsibilities and of the serious health […]
Insurance Today: safeagent Confirms Howden as Preferred Broker
Safeagent-accredited firms will benefit from our joint venture with Howden, one of the world’s largest insurance groups, as reported in Insurance Today. Safeagent firms will be able to access packaged insurance solutions, including property, business interruption, public and employers’ liability cover, with Howden arranging other covers as required. Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, says: “We […]
Labour plans to abolish Section 21 with immediate effect – safeagent reaction
In its election manifesto, Labour pledges to enact the “immediate” abolition of Section 21 eviction powers, along with other private rental sector reforms, should it win the general election. It said: “We will immediately abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, prevent private renters being exploited and discriminated against, empower them to challenge unreasonable rent increases, […]
Labour wins the general election – safeagent reaction
As expected, the Labour Party has won a landslide victory in the general election, securing nearly two thirds of seats and seeing the biggest swing from the Conservatives to Labour since the Second World War. Commenting on the result, Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, the UK’s largest not-for-profit accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents, […]
Regulation of Property Agents Report published
The Regulation of Property Agents (ROPA) Report commissioned by Government has now been published with recommendations on regulation affecting estate agents throughout the UK, and lettings and management agents in England only. The key recommendations are as follows: A new regulatory framework should be set up which will encompass: A new regulator to oversee compliance […]
Renters (Reform) Bill fails to progress – safeagent reaction
The Renters (Reform) Bill did not make it through Friday’s parliamentary ‘wash-up’ and has effectively been shelved. The Bill was first introduced to the House of Commons in May last year, with the aim of making the rental market fairer but its progress through parliament was slow. With parliament dissolving on Friday for the summer […]
Renters (Reform) Bill passed in the Commons – safeagent reaction
The Renters (Reform) Bill was passed in the House of Commons yesterday evening, albeit in heavily amended form. It is now headed to the House of Lords. It retains the scrapping of Section 21 powers but now includes an indefinite timetable with the abolition not happening until a review has taken place on the ability […]
Renters (Reform) Bill Second Reading – safeagent Reaction
The Renters Reform Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Commons yesterday. No vote was taken in Parliament, and it was announced that a ban on “no-fault” evictions in England will be indefinitely delayed until after the court system is reformed. More information is available here. Reflecting on the details announced, safeagent’s chief […]
Renters’ Rights Bill – change ahead for the sector
The Renters’ Rights Bill was published yesterday. The key measures in the Bill are: Abolishing Section 21 for “no fault” evictions. Applying Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector (PRS). Applying a Decent Homes Standard to the PRS for the first time. A ban on rental bidding wars, by cracking down on those who make […]
Safeagent appoints new chair of the board
John Midgley has been appointed as chair of safeagent’s board of directors. John has been a valued member of the safeagent board since 2014 and replaces outgoing chair Sheila Drew Smith, who has retired. John is hugely knowledgeable about the private rented sector (PRS). He retired from Touchstone in 2017, a company he joined as […]
safeagent appoints Steve Ray as non-executive Director
Steve Ray has been appointed as a non-executive director to the safeagent board. Steve brings a wealth of experience to the board, having worked in and around the insurance market for the past 40 years, managing teams with strong growth ambitions while delivering to profit targets. He retired from Howden Insurance Brokers in 2023 after […]
Safeagent calls on Government to ensure enforcement of licensing schemes
Following on from Labour MP Jas Athwal sacking the lettings agency which manages his rental flats, safeagent, the UK’s largest not-for-profit accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents, is calling upon the Government to ensure that membership of licensing schemes is enforced as part of any new legislation. Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, says: […]
Safeagent Partners with Deposit Protection Service to Offer FREE Certificate of Award in Deposit Protection
We are thrilled to announce an exciting joint venture with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) – launched today – supporting agents in improving their knowledge on all things deposit protection with a brand-new online training offer. The Certificate of Award in Deposit Protection covers the key principles in deposit protection for agents, ideal for those […]
safeagent urges Government to extend banking reforms to protect the private rented sector
In light of the Treasury’s recent announcement of reforms aimed at enhancing customer protections for personal bank accounts, safeagent is calling upon the City Minister to consider extending these reforms to cover business accounts; particularly client accounts held by lettings and management agents. By doing so, safeagent states that the Government can demonstrate its commitment […]
Safegent firms set to benefit from tie-up with insurance broker
Safeagent has appointed Howden as its preferred insurance broker. The international insurance broking group will work with safeagent to ensure accredited firms can benefit from its broad spectrum of insurance products and services. Howden will provide safeagent firms with a package solution for their insurance needs, including property, business interruption, public and employers’ liability cover, […]
Second reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill – safeagent comments
The Renters’ Rights Bill, which calls for the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and introduction of Awaab’s Law, as well as a Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector, had its second reading in Parliament today. Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, says: “The second Reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill saw […]
Spring Budget 2024 – Safeagent reaction
During today’s Budget statement, the Chancellor announced the abolition of the furnished holiday lettings scheme from 6 April 2025. The higher rate of capital gains tax on property sales will also be reduced from 28 to 24 per cent from next month. Reflecting on today’s news, safeagent’s chief executive, Isobel Thomson, said: “The abolition of […]
The King’s Speech – safeagent comments
The King’s Speech – safeagent comments Today’s King’s Speech confirmed that new protections for renters will be introduced, as well as the ending of no-fault evictions via the Renters’ Rights Bill. No timeframe has been mentioned yet but in its manifesto Labour had pledged to “immediately abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions”. Tenants will also be […]
The Negotiator: Midgley interview: ‘Agent regulation must not make a difficult job even harder’
Nigel Lewis, editor of The Negotiator, chatted with John Midgley, safegent’s new chair, about the various challenges facing the industry. They discussed why agents need safeagent ‘we’re not about complicated rules and regulations but instead supporting agents when they need help, and providing them with training so they can avoid issues in the future’; and […]