Licensed and qualified: what the Government’s 29 September announcement means for property agents
The Government now says property agents will need a licence and appropriate qualifications to work. It hasn’t yet said which level. Here’s where things stand, and what you can do now.
Two big steps in a fortnight
September has been a busy month for anyone watching agent regulation. On 21 September a major industry report called for mandatory qualifications. Then, on 29 September, the Government went further than it ever has before.
What the Government said
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says that, for the first time, it intends to introduce independent regulation of property agents, giving leaseholders, tenants and homebuyers better rights and protections. Its announcement states:
“Property agents will be required to obtain a license to do the job, as well as appropriate qualifications to operate.”
A regulator would be able to set codes of practice, and take licences away from agents who fall short. The Government says it will bring the changes forward as soon as possible, with more information to follow.
Read the Government announcement
This is a real shift. Until now, the Government’s position was to consult on mandatory qualifications, with legislation a possibility depending on the outcome. Now it has said plainly that agents will need them.
What it doesn’t tell us yet
The announcement doesn’t name a qualification level. We are still waiting to hear:
- the minimum qualification level
- which roles and staff will need it
- when the rules will come in
- what transitional arrangements there will be for experienced agents
A code of practice for agents is still expected later this year, and a consultation on mandatory qualifications is expected in 2027. So to be clear, no qualification is mandatory today.
Why Level 3 is the level to watch
Lord Best’s Regulation of Property Agents working group reported to the Government in 2019. It recommended that licensed agents should hold at least a Level 3 qualification, and that company directors and managing agents should hold Level 4.
On 21 September, The Lettings Industry Council added its weight with a new report calling for mandatory qualifications and a public register of agents. Its research with 616 property professionals found that 65% of agents hold no property qualification at all. Lord Best has publicly backed the report.
What this means for you
The direction is now set. Agents will need to be licensed and qualified, and the most detailed recommendation on the table points to Level 3 as the benchmark for day to day agency work.
If you work in lettings or sales, starting now means you won’t be scrambling when the detail lands. If you run an agency, it’s a good moment to look at where your team stands.
How LETiQ can help
The Propertymark Qualifications Level 3 Certificate in Property Agency is open for enrolment now, with our first open cohort starting on Tuesday 19 January 2027. If you’d like to train a team, get in touch and we’ll talk it through.
We’ll keep watching for news on the qualification level, who’s covered, dates and transitional arrangements, and we’ll update you as soon as we know more.
Claudia Brown, Director, LETiQ