Letting agent use hits two-year high as rental rules grow more complex
The proportion of private rented housing managed by a letting agent is the highest is has been for at least two years, according to new research.
A poll of National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) members, conducted by the research consultancy Pegasus Insight, found that 66 per cent of private rentals in England and Wales are administered by a letting agent in some way.
The NRLA is warning that the rise in landlords turning to letting agents to help navigate the complexities of the Renters’ Rights Act and prepare for further regulation is amplifying the risks posed by unqualified and ill-informed agents.
It comes as official data shows that only just over a half (59 per cent) of renters whose properties are fully managed by an agent are satisfied with the repairs service they receive. This compares with 73 per cent among renters whose properties are fully managed by their landlord.
With landlords and tenants increasingly reliant on letting agents to ensure the smooth running of rented homes, the NRLA is calling on the Government to expedite proposals for minimum education and training standards for agency staff to ensure full confidence in their work. To date, ministers have only committed to consulting on such a move next year.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said:
“Landlords are ultimately responsible for ensuring the properties they rent meet all required standards. However, with two thirds of rental properties now entrusted to some degree to the care of an agent, it is vital that they and their tenants can have confidence in the services that these letting agents provide.
“As the rental market becomes more complex, reliance on letting agents is only likely to grow further. Reforms to the agency sector should therefore go hand in hand with the wider changes to the rental market.
“Whilst 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.
“Pledging yet another consultation next year is simply not good enough. Tenants, landlords and reputable letting agents deserve action now.”
-ENDS-
Notes
- Pegasus Insight undertook 567 online interviews with current members of the National Residential Landlords Association between 21st June and 10th July 2026.
- According to the most recent English Housing Survey for 2024/25 asked about satisfaction with repairs to their properties, among private renters who had an agent or property manager responsible for repairs 59% were satisfied compared to 73.5% of private renters saying their same where their landlord was responsible for repairs. See figure 3.3 here.
- In June this year the Government published its response to a consultation on reforming the home buying and selling consultation. It can be accessed here. In it, the Government pledged to consult next year “on introducing mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents.”
- Further information about the NRLA can be found at www.nrla.org.uk. It posts on X @NRLAssociation.
- The NRLA’s press office can be contacted by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0300 131 6363.
