Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013
147. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of letting agents that are likely to be affected by new regulations introduced in relation to the licensing of Letting Agents by Statutory Instrument 181 of 2012; the reason for the new licensing regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4578/13]
View answerThe Property Services Regulatory Authority was established on 3 April 2012 under the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 to regulate, control and supervise property service providers (auctioneers/estate agents, letting agents and property management agents) and to establish and enforce standards within the property services industry. A new comprehensive licensing system for property service providers, including letting agents, was established by the Authority with effect from 6 July 2012. The establishment of a Regulatory Authority with responsibility for the regulation of property service providers was originally recommended in the Report of the Auctioneering/Estate Agent Review Group.
The 2011 Act provides for the licensing of all persons engaged in the provision of property services, including persons engaged in the letting of land. The Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 (Qualifications) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 181 of 2012), which were made by the Property Services Regulatory Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Act, provide for the qualifications which such persons must hold to qualify for a licence to provide property services. I am advised by the Property Services Regulatory Authority that to date some 4,387 persons have applied for a licence in respect of the letting of land, either as a single property service or as part of a wider range of property services (some property service providers will have applied to be licensed to carry out more than one specific property service).
