Enforcement of letting agent legislation

It is mandatory for all businesses carrying out letting agency work and/or property management work to belong to one of the two government-approved redress schemes: The Property Ombudsman and The Property Redress Scheme 

This means that if there is a dispute, you can make your complaint through the redress scheme. More information on government redress schemes is on GOV.UK.

Requirement to belong to a Client Money Protection Scheme

All businesses within the private rented sector who hold clients’ money must also be a member of an approved Client Money Protection Scheme.

More information, including the details of the 6 current approved schemes, is on GOV.UK.

Fees and charges

Letting agents may in respect of tenancy agreements only charge what are classed as permitted fees.

For full information on what constitutes a permitted fee, and how any fees and charges must be displayed, see guidance on Business Companion.

This also gives further information on the requirements listed on this page.

Please be aware that from 31 May 2020 permitted fees will apply to all tenancy agreements, including those in force before 1 June 2019.

Display requirements

Details of membership of Client Money Protection Scheme and Redress Scheme, together with any permitted tenant fees and landlord fees must be displayed in the office and on any business or third party website.

The letting agent enforcement process

There is a certain process that we follow to enforce letting agent legislation. 

Download the letting agent enforcement process (PDF, 117 KB)