New data shows property owners are increasingly relying on letting firms as the private rental market faces tighter rules.
A recent survey of National Residential Landlords Association members found that 66% now use a letting firm in some capacity, the highest share recorded in at least two years.
The study was carried out by Pegasus Insight. It arrives as owners ready themselves for further reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act.
The association argues that growing reliance bolsters the case for minimum education and training standards. It also warned that some agencies lack sufficient knowledge of legal duties.
Owners turn to agencies.
Official figures show that 59% of renters in fully agent‑managed homes reported satisfaction with repair services, compared with 73% where owners handle maintenance directly.
The gap points to uneven service quality across management models.
The group urges the government to speed up plans for mandatory training for agency staff.
Ministers have pledged a consultation next year, a timeline the association calls insufficient.
Landlords cite the increasing regulatory complexity of the private rented sector as a primary driver for delegating responsibilities to professional letting agents. By outsourcing tasks such as tenancy documentation, safety checks, and rent collection, owners aim to stay compliant without having to master every legislative nuance themselves.
The NRLA maintains that a formalised education framework would create a baseline of competence across the industry. Consistent training, it says, would reduce the disparities observed in tenant experiences and help ensure that every agent understands the full scope of their statutory obligations.
Concern is heightened by the association’s observation that a portion of agencies operate without a clear grasp of their legal and regulatory responsibilities. This knowledge gap can expose landlords to inadvertent breaches and leave tenants without reliable recourse when standards slip.
Differences in tenant satisfaction with repairs underline the practical impact of these knowledge gaps. When owners manage properties directly, they often have a more immediate grasp of maintenance priorities, whereas agents may vary in how quickly and effectively they coordinate repairs on behalf of landlords.
In response, the NRLA is pressing the government to move beyond a future consultation and implement compulsory training requirements for agency personnel. The association argues that only a binding framework can guarantee that every professional in the sector is equipped to meet the heightened expectations set by upcoming legislation.
While ministers have signalled an intention to consult on the matter next year, the NRLA contends that this approach does not match the urgency of the situation. The organization believes that postponing definitive action prolongs uncertainty for both landlords and tenants.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, emphasized that ultimate responsibility for property standards remains with the landlord, even when an agent is involved. He warned that as the rental market continues to evolve, reliance on agents is set to increase, making it essential that reforms to the agency sector progress in step with broader market changes.
He further noted that while most agents provide a good service, too many do not; minimum training standards would help ensure those working in the sector understand their responsibilities and can provide a consistently professional service.
Beadle concluded by describing the promise of another consultation as inadequate, urging immediate action to protect the interests of all parties in the private rental ecosystem.
