New minimum standards for rental properties and industry training are needed to improve quality and safety in the PRS, the government has been told.

Zoopla's lettings advisory board - made up of industry figures from letting agencies and the wider private rental market - has drawn up recommendations that build on proposals set out in the new Renters’ Rights Bill.

It believes mandatory training for those operating in the PRS is key to raising standards. In a letter to the government, it says the current situation - without an expected standard of qualification or training - creates risk as operators’ knowledge varies significantly.

“Mandatory training has long been called for and many estate agent operators already train their staff on a voluntary basis to a Level 3 qualification standard,” it says.

“Such agency training is widely available through several accredited examination bodies and could be extended to cover all operators that let and manage homes.”

The board also supports a proposed private rented property database (PRPD) but believes this must be designed with industry input.

It adds: “All privately rented properties should achieve a decent standard certification, recorded via PRPD and with key information displayed on all property marketing, as part of material information. The certification standards need to evolve as data becomes digitised and more readily available.”

It says this information should be accessible to property portals and lenders and that prospective tenants need to see certification before a viewing, as a declaration of safety.  

Chair Nicola Thivessen (main image) explains: “The board remains keen to see the introduction of mandatory qualifications for those operating in the PRS and we encourage the government to review and prioritise this in future legislation, to ensure a minimum standard of knowledge and support for tenants.”