ARLA campaigning for balanced legislative solution over letting agent fees.

February 1, 2017

The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has announced that it is reiterating its call to Government to ban upfront letting agent fees at the start of a tenancy and instead spread the cost across the first six months of a rental agreement.

ARLA opposes a full ban on fees but calls for them to be spread over first six months of tenancy, new research released by ARLA, alongside a new policy paper, reveals that just more than 40% letting agents expect that a full ban would result in reduced staff numbers in the medium to long term, while just more than 60% of agents think that a full ban will cause the quality of rental properties to decline.

David Cox, Managing Director, Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) said: “When the Chancellor announced a full ban on letting agent fees in the Autumn Statement, we called the measure draconian and a crowd-pleaser. We stand by that. Nonetheless, we believe that ARLA’s proposal to spread the cost of the fees across the first six months of the tenancy will guard against the numerous unintended consequences of a full ban while also finding a solution that works best for the consumer.

“Over the coming weeks and months, ARLA will be campaigning for a balanced legislative solution. Our research supports our previous calls that a full ban on letting agent fees will have a profoundly negative impact on the rental market, and do little to help cash-poor renters save enough to get on the housing ladder.”

Read the announcement from ARLA in full click here

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Letting Agent Talk

Advice for London landlords and tenants ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act implementation

Phase one of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) comes into force on 1 May 2026, and with it brings about the most significant overhaul of the private rental sector in a generation. While the Act will see new responsibilities introduced, it will also offer an opportunity for landlords to strengthen their practices with a clear…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Budget-friendly ways to boost your chances of a successful spring house sale

With many households feeling the pressure of changing global economic conditions, tighter finances, and the high costs associated with moving, such as Stamp Duty, legal fees and removals, selling a home can currently feel like challenge. At the same time, spring traditionally brings a surge in buyer activity. Longer days and better weather tend to encourage more viewings,…
Read More →
Letting Agent Talk

Expert Reacts To Renters’ Rights Act Ahead of Changes This Week

The Renters’ Rights Act comes into force this week (1st May), introducing major reforms to tenancy structures, eviction rules, and tenant protections across England. The changes will reshape how landlords manage properties and how tenants experience private renting, with significant implications for student private rentals and the wider rental market. Ahead of implementation, Owen Dixon,…
Read More →
Breaking News

52% of buyers are cash purchasers – and they’re ready to move

New research from LRG reveals that sellers entering the spring market are meeting an unusually large pool of cash-ready buyers, many of whom aren’t constrained by affordability, but by a lack of suitable homes. According to LRG’s Spring 2026 Sales Report, based on a survey of 307 buyers and sellers across England and Wales, more than…
Read More →
for sale sign london
Breaking News

Landlords sell up as Renters’ Rights prove final straw

Leading Kent and London law firm Thackray Williams have had a wave of last-minute instructions from landlords looking to sell their portfolios ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force this Friday. The litigation team has been instructed to seek possession by landlords wishing to sell their entire buy-to-let portfolios, as well as last-minute…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 27/4/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Will AI change the way we search on property portals? Thought Leadership by Andrew Stanton, CEO Proptech-PR Rightmove: the UK’s most profitable proptech Rightmove is widely seen as the UK’s most profitable proptech, generating £300m+ annually with operating margins around 70%. Even with slight recent…
Read More →