Nearly half of all agents across the UK are in favour of the government’s letting fees ban announced in the recent Queen’s Speech.

The claim is being made by lettings and tenancy management platform Goodlord, which says 49% of the 130 letting agents it quizzed were in favour of a ban on admin fees.

Some 48% wanted a cap on the size of deposits, a measure also mentioned during the opening of parliament.

And a similar proportion of agents also though it a cap on rent rises would be a good idea while 64% of London agents believe the government should build more social housing, although only 54% of those outside the capital believe this.

Goodlord says that agents think the sector needs reforming and that overall it is “inefficient” and “lacks transparency” and is often unfair to tenants, the research revealed, and only 42% of the agents though tenants really understand how renting a home works.

Moving costs

The proptech company says the agents were also “broadly supportive” of ending the current system of landlords being able to terminate tenancies after six months without giving a reason, and that landlords should reimburse them for at least part of their moving costs.

The research also revealed that London’s white-hot competition means agents working in the capital are least likely to think the rental process is efficient or fair.

But there was little support for longer tenancies – only a third thought tenants should have the right to sign tenancies for up to five years.

“Tenants across the country pay out vast sums of money each month for accommodation and service levels that are substandard, sometimes even dangerous,” says Goodlord chief executive Richard White (pictured, left)

“We know that they urgently want to see reform but it may surprise many that estate agents also want to see reform of the sector they work in.”

“Agents think rental reform is not only the right thing to do but also makes good business since it will help good landlords that provide a much-needed product to prosper and force the cowboys out of the sector.

“The Government has promised reforms, but now it is time to deliver them. Tenants will not tolerate being treated like second class citizens for any longer.”