This national code of practice is a cross-industry code intended to promote best practice in the letting and management of private rented sector housing in England.
The aim of the code is to ensure:
- good-quality homes for rent
- consistent and high standards of management
- choice for the consumer.
The code is intended for use by landlords and lettings and management agents in the private rented sector (PRS).
The principles on which this Code is based are:
- To comply with all laws relating to the letting and management of residential private rented sector property.
- To meet all other legal requirements and relevant codes of practice.
- To let and manage properties in an honest, fair, transparent and professional manner.
- To manage properties with due skill, care and diligence, and ensure that, where staff are employed, they have the skills and training needed to carry out their tasks.
- To do their best to avoid conflicts of interest and, where they do arise, to deal with them openly, fairly and promptly.
- You must not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, language, sexuality or any other factor that might place an individual at a disadvantage.
- To ensure that all communications and dealings with clients and tenants are fair, clear, timely and transparent.
- To ensure that all relevant information is provided to clients and tenants, including publicising fees, prior to them committing to a transactional decision.
- To ensure that all advertising and marketing material is accurate and not misleading.
- To take steps to look after client money and to hold this separately from other funds.
- To behave ethically and responsibly at all times.
The Code contains some principles aimed specifically at letting and management agents, as follows:
- To ensure that landlords and tenants are given details of complaints-handling procedures and the redress scheme to which the agent belongs.
- To ensure client money is covered by client money protection.
