The government has confirmed its intention to introduce independent regulation of property agents, which would include mandatory licensing and qualification requirements for estate and letting agents. Under the proposed plans, agents would need a licence to operate and would also be required to hold appropriate qualifications.
An independent regulator would be established to oversee the sector, with powers to set standards through codes of practice covering areas such as professional conduct and complaints handling. Agents who fail to meet these standards could face the withdrawal of their licences.
This announcement expands on the government's existing programme to increase oversight of the property agency sector. A previously published home buying and selling reform roadmap committed to a 2027 consultation on mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents, with plans to legislate when parliamentary time allows. The government also intends to publish a non-statutory Code of Practice for property agents this year.
Further details regarding the structure of the regulator, specific qualification requirements, licence costs, and the timetable for implementation are yet to be announced. The government stated that more information on the property agent regulatory regime would be provided in due course.