Government still ‘considering’ ROPA rules as MPs question timeframe

Conservative MPs are continuing to question when new estate agency ROPA regulations will come in as the Government sticks to its stock response.

It is now approaching four years since Lord Best’s Regulation of Property Agents (ROPA) working party recommended a new industry regulator and code of practice, compulsory training and licensing, and significantly beefed up enforcement.

The Government has previously expressed its commitment to introducing new rules but legislation was delayed by the pandemic.

The issue returned to Parliament this month after Conservative MP Tom Hunt asked in a written question last Friday what steps had been taken to implement the recommendations. Housing Minister Lucy Frazer gave the Government’s stock response.

Lucy Frazer said:

“As part of a fair and just housing system, the Government is committed to making sure that homeowners and tenants are protected from abuse and poor service. 

“This commitment includes raising professionalism and standards amongst property agents (letting, estate and managing agents), protecting consumers while defending the reputation of good agents from the actions of rogue operatives. 

“We therefore welcome the ongoing work being undertaken by the industry itself to raise professionalism and standards across the sector, including on codes of practice for property agents.

“The Government is considering the recommendations in the final report on the regulation of property agents from Lord Best’s working group. We will continue to work with industry on improving best practice.”

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is at least consistent as the response is almost verbatim to the one given by former departmental minister Eddie Hughes to the same question last year from Conservative MP Matthew Offord.

Eddie Hughes said:

“The Government remains committed to creating a fair and just housing system that works for everyone.

“This commitment includes raising professionalism and standards amongst property agents, letting, estate and managing agents, protecting consumers, and defending the reputation of good agents from the actions of rogue operatives.

“We welcome the ongoing work being undertaken by the industry itself to raise professionalism and standards across the sector, including on potential codes of practice for property agents, and continue to engage with industry on this.

“The government is considering the recommendations in the final report on the regulation of property agents from Lord Best’s working group.”

Kindly shared by Estate Agent Today

Main article photo courtesy of Pixabay