For the first time in UK history the Government have decided to regulate the UK lettings and property management industry

UK Lettings & Property Management Agents are to be regulated for the first time

Lettings and property management agents in the UK are set to face government regulation, after decisions were made in the House of Commons to take action to clamp down on unscrupulous behaviour, according to reports.

The new rules will see amendments to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, will mean that all lettings and management agents will be required to sign up to a redress scheme allowing consumers to report unresolved disputes to an ombudsman, who will have the authority to ensure that agents repay any tenants and landlords they may have deceived.

The changes have come as welcome news to many property professionals, after calls from many corners for letting agents to be monitored and checked.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) extremely happy with the regulation changes, because they were at the forefront of the campaign for regulation.