Estate agents who use smaller drones weighing between 100g and 250g to take footage and photographs of properties face new regulations in the New Year, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has revealed.

The additional rules, which come into force on 1st January, are understood to be an attempt by the CAA to rein in the illegal and unsafe use of smaller drones, including most notably in recent years, in and around airports and beauty spots.

While estate agents must already adhere to multiple regulations if they operate or fly larger drones weighing over 250g – including not going within 50m of people and 150m of residential buildings – those who have previously ‘flown under the radar’ by operating lighter drones will now have to adhere to the rules too.

These include getting an official operator or flyer ID, being over 18 years-old and adhering to a ‘drone code’.

Those flying these lighter drones must in a few days obtain a flyer ID and pass a theory test to operate legally.

There are also separate rules for organisations with smaller drones seeking to become an operator and have named staff as ‘flyers’.

The UK government is also introducing class marks and new product standards for drones and model aircraft (or unmanned aircraft systems). These class marks must soon define what each drone can do and where it can fly. Operators flying class-marked aircraft will benefit from simpler rules and, in many cases, greater operational freedom, it is claimed.

The CAA says the new rules are designed to be easier to understand, as well as allowing for the “safe expansion” of drones across the UK.

Read the new regulations.