Lib Dem housing minister voices support for agency licensing

Shadow Housing Minister Sarah Teather has voiced her support for agency licensing.

In an exclusive interview with Richard Copus, the National Association of Estate Agents’ spokesman for the South West, the Liberal Democrats’ minister and MP for Brent East, called on the Government to consider the introduction of positive licensing nationwide.

She says: “It is all very well estate agents sorting out their act, but the few rogues not belonging to a professional organisation have a very different view of this practice.”

Teather went on to confirm her party’s opposition to Home Information Pack legislation, acknowledging the NAEA’s concerns about a reduction in the number of properties coming onto the market as a result of first day marketing.

Nevertheless, she adds that there are some positive points in the legislation, which she would consider as part of a voluntary pack. She says: “Anything that speeds up the house buying and selling process has to be good for consumers, and voluntary exchange-ready HIPS would be likely to prove so popular that they could become the industry norm”.

In terms of the private rented sector, Teather says she wants to encourage greater participation in social housing projects by landlords, a move which
she says the industry needs to promote.

She adds that Stamp Duty needs to become more progressive, but says that she does not support a reduction of the top rate of the tax.

Copus says: “The Liberal Democrats may hold the key to radical changes if they hold the balance of power, which is becoming increasingly likely after the general elections next year.”

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