The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC) has published a new report calling for a fundamental overhaul of how the UK lettings market is regulated, arguing that a persistent "regulatory gap" is leaving consumers exposed to inconsistent and limited accountability.
The report proposes a new regulatory framework built around five core outcomes. It would require every lettings practitioner to be competent, accountable, and working to clear standards. It also seeks to deliver effective consumer protection through a public register and enforceable conduct rules, and to improve market efficiency by enabling fair competition based on quality rather than price alone. Alongside this, TLIC wants to raise public confidence through more consistent application of standards and to create better career development routes for practitioners.
The findings draw on TLIC's own 2025 research, which found that 65% of letting agents currently hold no property qualification. Separately, 82% of those surveyed said they believe regulation would improve professionalism across the sector. TLIC says these findings directly shaped its recommendations.
To implement the framework, TLIC is asking the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to take five specific steps: re-establish a dedicated working group; conduct an impact assessment of proposed changes; commit to introducing primary legislation as a matter of urgency; consult with key professional bodies to ensure the process is credible; and build cross-party support for the measures set out in the report.
"It is great to see the whole of the lettings industry getting behind the case for regulation, qualifications and professionalism for the sector," said Lord Richard Best, chair of the Regulation of Property Agents Working Group.
"The recommendations of the Regulation of Property Agents Working Group have been largely adopted by the industry and the new report addresses some of the questions left unanswered in the original report. This will be of immense help to government as it takes forward the much-needed regulatory agenda. I thank and congratulate the expert contributors whose work marks real progress in achieving the outcomes the sector desires and deserves."
Theresa Wallace, co-chair of TLIC, pointed to the timing of the report relative to wider legislative change. "At a time when the lettings market continues to be affected by the consequences of the Renters' Rights Act, the need for greater professionalisation is more important than ever," she said.
"It is critical that the public has the utmost confidence in the integrity of the market, and we feel these recommendations can act as the basis of a more effective system of regulation moving forward. We believe this report acts as a valuable conversation starter on what should be done to ensure the lettings market upholds the highest possible standards."
