Sarah Champion demands action on property cowboys

Ms Champion told a debate held at Westminster Hall that action was needed to stop lettings agents from ripping off private tenants.

Figures from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau show 73 per cent of customers are unhappy with their service.

For example, figures from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau show 73 per cent of customers are unhappy with their service.

Ms Champion said: “The evidence shows that too many tenants are being ripped off by rogue letting agents who fail to protect their money, and charge exorbitant fees which are completely opaque.

“Action to regulate lettings agents would benefit tenants and landlords, providing protection for their money.

“At present it is still possible to set up a letting or management agency with no qualifications whatsoever.

“As the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has put it, letting agents operate in the property market’s Wild West.

A report by Which? — called Renting Roulette — saw letting agents ranked second bottom across 50 consumer markets.

Ms Champion said: “Currently, good landlords are being exploited and good letting agents undercut by rogues. This can’t continue.

“With millions of families up and down the country living through the biggest squeeze on living standards in a generation, action on fees would ease the pressure for tenants.”

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