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Licensing Scheme Database Scheme from ARLA to help Agents stay Compliant
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
A new database has been launched by ARLA Propertymark, in partnership with GetRentr, a technology platform created to automatically monitor property portfolios for compliance with all UK property licensing schemes.
This service has been made free for those who are members of ARLA Propertymark. It provides information on new licencing schemes coming into force during the next month, as well as those ending this month, and those which local authorities are consulting on and will come into effect in the near future.
For those of you who are ARLA Propertymark members, you will have the option to take a look at your local area and see the status of current licensing schemes. This is so that you will hopefully be able to understand which ones are needed, in order to avoid any penalties.
David Cox, chief executive of ARLA Propertymark, said: “There are hundreds of laws with which letting agents and landlords need to comply, and new licensing schemes are being introduced on an almost weekly basis, so it can be difficult to keep up.
“Those who aren’t compliant risk breaking the law, and could face banning orders or fines of up to £30,000.
“This new database, available to all members, will help agents mitigate these risks and comply with the ever-changing law.”
Orla Shields, chief executive of GetRentr, said: “While property licensing was introduced to raise rental accommodation standards, the proliferation to around 540 schemes has brought with it a huge administrative burden for landlords and agents.
“Remaining compliant is a never-ending task as new consultations or schemes can come into effect at any time, meaning compliance today does not guarantee compliance tomorrow.
“We’re really excited about our partnership with Propertymark as it will help protect agents from increasing fines, and ultimately help improve safety standards across the private rented sector.”
