After several high-profile disputes with letting agents, a London landlord has launched a parliamentary petition demanding mandatory licensing of agents, claiming the current system protects ‘system abusers, not victims.’

Wilson Chowdhry (pictured) was awarded £3,450 compensation from Apex Dwellings after Property Redress found the Ilford agent guilty of multiple failings, including failing to provide tenancy agreements and accepting rent advances without consent.

In a separate case, The Property Ombudsman awarded him £900 compensation from Anistenhomes, which failed to pay the rent to him on time and to ensure the properties were vacated.

Chowdhry says his ‘exhausting battle for accountability and transparency’ prompted him to start the campaign, which calls for an independent regulator with enforcement powers, mandatory licensing and recognised qualifications for letting agents.

System broken

On his petition, published on the official Parliament website, he says: “We believe there is an urgent need for better regulation of letting agents. We think the current system is broken, and that it seems to protect system abusers, not victims.

“We call on the UK Government to create a new statutory regulator for letting agents with powers to investigate financial irregularities, admit whistleblower evidence, enforce stricter penalties, and ensure more joined-up enforcement with local councils, police and Trading Standards.

Landlords and tenants should not be left alone to fight for justice.”

“We think landlords and tenants should not be left alone to fight for justice, and that the system must protect them.”

The campaign comes as the rental sector awaits Government action on letting agent regulation, with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook committed to implementing reforms based on Lord Best’s 2019 Regulation of Property Agents report.

The petition needs 10,000 signatures to receive a government response and 100,000 to be considered for parliamentary debate. It currently has 19 signatures.